BY SAM GAZZOLA | The Statesman THE GAME:
The No. 17 UMD Bulldogs came out hard against the Western Michigan Broncos and never took their foot off the gas.
In the first period, UMD recorded 24 shots on goal and gave up just six. After 20 minutes of play, the home team found themselves up 2-0. Austyn Young opened the scoring in the game with his third tally of the season, a shorthanded rebound goal. Just minutes later, the Bulldogs went on their first man-advantage of the game and Dominic Toninato scored on a one-timer. The only goal of the second period came off the stick of Alex Iafallo, who snuck a quick wrist shot top shelf to put him team up 3-0. Three different Bulldogs scored in the third. Kulhman had to within three minutes of each other, then Adam Johnson and Parker Mackay both got their first collegiate goals. UMD ended up outshooting the Broncos 51-27.
THE TAKEAWAY
This game was both the Bulldogs’ third straight win and third straight shutout. Before the game, UMD was tied for fifth in the NCHC with eight points. But with this, and a loss for Denver and Omaha, the Bulldogs jumped to No. 3 in the standings.
UMD’s special teams were on fire tonight. The power play scored four times on five opportunities. Coming into this weekend’s series, the Bulldogs had capitalized just eight times on fifty-seven chances. They also killed off their only penalty of game but not before scoring a shorthanded goal. There was only one penalty in the game in which a goal was not scored.
THE NUMBERS
51: UMD registered 51 shots on goal, the most they have recorded all season. 24 of those came in the first period. The Bulldogs held Western Michigan to just six shots in the first period.
16: Number of UMD skaters who recorded shots tonight. Defensemen Dan Molenaar and Neal Pionk were the only two who did not record a shot. However, Pionk was able to notch two assists.
2: Two Bulldog players recorded their first collegiate goals tonight. Adam Johnson and Parker Mackay scored the team’s last two goals respectively. Bother were on the power play.
WAIT...WHAT? Sophomore goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo extended his shutout streak to three games and 230:20, a UMD record. The previous record was held by Kenny Reiter in 2011 with 166:45.