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Following a brief hiatus from competition, the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team is set to dive back into action this weekend as they gear up to welcome the No. 10 University of North Dakota for a highly anticipated conference series. The games will unfold at the AMSOIL Arena, a revered home ground located in Duluth, Minnesota, starting on Friday night at 7:07 p.m., before concluding with a 6:07 p.m. puck drop on Saturday.
MILITARY APPRECIATION GAME ON FRIDAY: In a show of respect and gratitude, UMD is proud to host its annual Military Appreciation Night this Friday.
The event will feature the Minnesota Warriors, who will take to the ice for an afternoon game, followed by their involvement in an on-ice flag ceremony during the national anthem. The highlight of the evening will be the recognition of Clinton Mattson, UMD’s Alex Reed of honor, who courageously served in the U.S. Army since 1968 and valiantly earned the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge for his dedicated service during the Vietnam War.
IT’S CONFERENCE TIME: The Bulldogs will officially kick off their season in the National College Hockey Conference by facing North Dakota, entering play with a respectable record of 135-107-23 from their first eleven seasons in the competitive league. Although UMD has yet to finish higher than second in the regular season on three occasions, the team has garnered three prestigious conference playoff titles in 2017, 2019, and 2022, showcasing their resilience and determination in the sport.
NCHC TOP DOGS: Senior forward Dominic James is making waves in the NCHC this season, currently ranking second in total goals with six across seven games played and sitting third in goals per game with an impressive average of .86. Furthermore, James is sixth in total points with 10, fifth in points per game at 1.43, and tied for second in game-winning goals, having netted two crucial goals for the Bulldogs.
Joining him in the top performers is sophomore defenseman Aaron Pionk, who ranks sixth in assists per game at an impressive rate of 1.14 and stands fifth overall in total assists, contributing eight assists throughout seven games.
Contributing to the Bulldogs’ offensive prowess is rookie forward Jayson Shaugabay, boasting the highest shot percentage in the league at .40, with four goals scored on only ten shots, placing him eighth in total goals.
DOMINATE DOMINIC: Dominic James was in remarkable form, factoring in five of UMD’s seven goals against Stonehill College, completing the series with five points, including impressive back-to-back two-goal performances, marking his third collegiate two-goal outing.
THE SERIES: In the storied matchup between UMD and North Dakota, the Fighting Hawks hold the upper hand in the overall series history, which spans 257 games, with UMD recording a 89-157-11 record against their rivals since their first encounter on November 26, 1954, at the Duluth Curling Club, a match that ended in a challenging 0-11 defeat for UMD.
Under the strategic guidance of head coach Scott Sandelin, the Bulldogs have accumulated a record of 27-52-5 against the Fighting Hawks, including a 16-21-1 mark in NCHC competition. UMD looks to improve their 7-12-0 home record against North Dakota under Coach Sandelin, alongside a close 3-3-5 record in overtime matches.
UMD’s Last 10 Games vs UND
Feb. 24, 2024 2-4 Loss Away
Feb. 23, 2024 0-6 Loss Away
Nov. 11, 2023 0-2 Loss Home
Nov. 10, 2023 2-4 Loss Home
Jan. 21, 2023 2-1 Win Away
Jan. 20, 2023 2-4 Loss Away
Feb. 19, 2022 2-3 Loss Home
Feb. 18, 2022 3-4 Loss Home
Nov. 20, 2021 1-2 Loss Away
Nov. 29, 2021 4-1 Win Away
In their last clash, UMD faced off against the Fighting Hawks on February 23-24 in Grand Forks, where North Dakota delivered a decisive blow, sweeping the Bulldogs with a commanding 6-0 victory in the opening game. They dominated early on, scoring three goals within the first four minutes, and displayed tremendous efficiency on the power play, converting 2-of-5 chances while outshooting UMD 29-17.
The second game saw the Bulldogs put up a fight, falling 4-2 after initially rallying with two quick goals from Aiden Dubinsky and Jack Smith to even the score. However, the Fighting Hawks secured their series sweep with third-period goals, despite being outshot by UMD 28-21.
LAST TIME OUT: The Bulldogs recently swept Stonehill College in a historic first-ever matchup against the fledgling Division I program, triumphing by scores of 5-1 and 2-1.
In the opening contest, UMD showcased a potent offensive front, powered by a standout performance from Dominic James, who recorded two goals to lead the team to a convincing 5-1 victory.
With nine players contributing to the scoresheet, UMD claimed their first home win of the season, highlighted by stellar three-point outputs from James (2g, 1a) and Aaron Pionk (3a). The Bulldogs jumped to an early lead with rookie center Callum Arnott finding the net for the second time this season, redirecting a shot from junior defenseman Joey Pierce.
UMD extended their lead shortly after as James swiped the puck from a Skyhawks player at center ice, scoring unassisted to make it 2-0. Despite Stonehill managing to cut the lead to 2-1 early in the second period, UMD quickly responded, with rookie Harper Bentz facilitating a goal for Anthony Menghini, increasing the lead to 3-1 shortly after. James then secured his second goal of the night off a beautiful power play pass from Owen Gallatin, contributing to the Bulldogs’ eventual final score of 5-1.
The Bulldogs had a commanding presence, outshooting Stonehill 43-17 and capitalizing on 2-of-5 power play opportunities. Freshman goaltender Adam Gajan secured his second victory of the season with a solid 16-save performance, while Stonehill’s Androlewicz made a total of 38 saves in a commendable effort.
NOTES FROM THE SKYHAWKS SERIES: With this victory, UMD has now established a perfect 2-0-0 record against Stonehill College after their inaugural faceoff.
—Dominic James continued to shine, tallying five points over the series, marking back-to-back two-goal games, solidifying his status as a key player.
RANK AND FILE: After beginning the season ranked No. 18, the Bulldogs have fallen from the polls, no longer receiving votes in the latest USA Hockey/The Rink Live ranking or in the current USCHO.com national poll.
North Dakota stands firmly at No. 10 in both rankings, showcasing their competitive edge.
EXTRA BOOK ON THE BULLDOGS:
UMD boasts an impressive record of 3-0 when leading after the first period so far this season.
–The Bulldogs are 6-of-29 on their power play this season, and displayed significant improvement with four power play goals achieved against Stonehill College.
–Notably, three different players have achieved two-goal games this season: Dominic James (twice against Stonehill), Aiden Dubinsky (against Minnesota), and Jayson Shaugabay (against Bemidji State).
–Freshman forward Max Plante and junior center Jack Smith will not suit up due to injuries this weekend.
**Interview with Dominic James, UMD Senior Forward**
**Interviewer:** Dominic, thank you for joining us today! You and the team are gearing up for a big series against the University of North Dakota. How is the atmosphere in the locker room leading up to this highly anticipated matchup?
**Dominic James:** Thanks for having me! The atmosphere is definitely electric. We know how important this series is, not just for our standings in the conference but also for the rivalry we have with North Dakota. Everyone’s focused and excited to hit the ice again after our break.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the rivalry, it’s been a challenging history between UMD and North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks have historically had the upper hand. How do you approach such a daunting record?
**Dominic James:** It’s definitely a motivator for us. We respect their program a lot, but we focus on what we can control. We’ve had some highs and lows against them, but we believe this series presents us with an opportunity to change that narrative, especially with the support of our home crowd at AMSOIL Arena.
**Interviewer:** You personally have been on fire recently, ranking second in total goals this season. How do you maintain that kind of performance week in and week out?
**Dominic James:** I think it boils down to teamwork and communication. I have to give credit to my teammates for setting me up for those chances. My focus is on staying consistent, working hard in practice, and taking each game one shift at a time.
**Interviewer:** This week also marks the Military Appreciation Night. Can you tell us why this event is significant for you and the team?
**Dominic James:** Absolutely. It’s an honor to recognize and pay tribute to those who have served in the military. We’re privileged to have a Alex Reed of honor like Clinton Mattson, and it reminds us of the commitment and sacrifice made by so many individuals. It’s a special night for our community, and we want to do everything we can on the ice to make it memorable.
**Interviewer:** As the team prepares for this matchup, what do you think will be key to securing a couple of wins against North Dakota?
**Dominic James:** We need to stick to our game plan: solid defense, strong forechecking, and taking advantage of power play opportunities. If we can control the pace and play our game, I believe we can come out on top.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for your insights, Dominic! Best of luck this weekend. We’re all looking forward to watching you and the Bulldogs in action!
**Dominic James:** Thank you! We appreciate the support! Go Bulldogs!
