Roth’s third period goal lifts Bulldogs to sweep of Redhawks

Riley Tufte (27) watches as his shot goes past the goalie for a goal in the first period. Photo by: Drew Smith

It was senior night for the Bulldogs in the final home game of the regular season before the NCHC playoffs. Forwards Billy Exell, Parker Mackay, Peter Krieger and fourth-year goalie Nick Deery were recognized for their achievements during their time at UMD. The group has been to two NCAA Frozen Four title games, four NCAA tournament appearances and captured a national championship.

It was a wild first period with both teams combining for six goals and five penalties.

The Bulldogs got off to an early 2-0 lead from two Nick Wolff goals that were just 23 seconds apart.

“It was a good game, back-and-forth,” head coach Scott Sandelin said. “We were fortunate to come back and get the final goals to win.”

Junior wing Riley Tufte would notch his first goal in 12 games and would score his team leading fifth power play goal of the season. Yesterday's game was the second time this season where the Bulldogs didn’t record at least one power play chance, but they connected on their first opportunity of this game.

The nation’s top penalty kill would let them down in the first period, allowing two power play goals in the period. The score was tied 3-3 after the first period going into the second period where the Bulldogs have been at their best.

The second period was a mixed bag for the Bulldogs in this game.

They came out strong after junior center Jade Miller won the faceoff and the puck found sophomore Dylan Samberg who put a wrist shot on net and the puck just happened to find a crease to put the Bulldogs back on top 4-3.

Justin Richards (19) controls the puck during Saturday nights game. Photo by: Drew Smith

Miami would answer once again, junior Gordie Green's slap shot came off a cross ice pass from senior Ryan Siroky. Green was set-up at the left faceoff zone and the puck went right between UMD goalie Hunter Shepard's legs.

“It’s good to see everyone stick with the game,” Wolff said. “We’re up by two, tied, we were down by one, just to stick with it, keep on playing our game, just to control what we control is how this game went.”

Miami would even take the lead in the period after defenseman Scott Perunovich turned the puck over behind the Bulldogs net and left Miami junior Carter Johnson one-on-one with Shepard who was able to get it past the 2017-18 All-NCHC second-team goalie.

The Bulldogs would find the equalizer in the final minute of the period. Perunovich would make up for his early error by laying a perfect pass to a cutting Mackay who put the backhand shot past Miami goalie’s shoulder.

The Bulldogs would fight their way back to take the lead in the third period. Exell found himself along alone at the top of the left faceoff zone. He ripped a shot that ricochets off a Miami player right to Kobe Roth, who secured the puck and got it by Miami goalie's outstretched leg and also took a tumble as he scored.

The defense would step up in the final period to close out the game and give them a 6-5 victory. This is the most goals in a Bulldogs game since losing to Minnesota 4-7 in the second game of the 2018-19 season.

“Sometimes you need to get kicked in the teeth a little bit to go ‘hey, we’re getting a little complacent on our penalty kill,’” Sandelin said. “We got to go back to work and work on some things.”

The Bulldogs will next head to St. Cloud to take on the top ranked Huskies to close out the season. Teams split the series earlier this season at AMSOIL and possibly a NCHC finals preview.