UMD Men’s Hockey Splits Home Opener Series Against Augustana University

The physicality ramps up as both teams battle for a win. Photo by Lydia Asmus

UMD men's hockey split their home-opening series at AMSOIL Arena in their first-ever matchup against the Augustana Vikings. Friday’s hard-hitting game was dominated by the Bulldogs, as they picked up their first home win of the season. Although Saturday’s game was a different story as Augustana flipped the script and shut out UMD 4-0, earning a series split. 

Coming off of a sweep against Alaska Fairbanks last weekend, the Bulldogs started their season with an overall record of 2-0. Although the Vikings have only been an NCAA Division l program for three years now, this is the first meeting between the two non-conference opponents. Friday’s home opener at AMSOIL Arena started promptly at 7:07 pm, while Saturday’s game began at 6:07 pm. 

Friday

1st Period

Despite a scoreless first period, UMD came out strong, outshooting the Vikings 12-8. They peppered Augustana goaltender Josh Kotai from the jump, as he was forced to make a couple of key saves early on. 

From the moment the puck was dropped, the intensity was through the roof as both teams played a physical first period, engaging in multiple hits. About four minutes into the game, the Bulldogs took a holding penalty that put Augustana on the power play. However, the Vikings were unable to capitalize, as UMD executed a strong penalty kill to keep the game scoreless.

Throughout the period, UMD put a ton of pressure on the Vikings’ defense, causing multiple turnovers. This led to several Bulldog chances as they were able to get numerous shots from the point. Despite not being tested much, Bulldog goaltender Adam Gajan looked sharp as he turned away all eight Vikings shots in the period. 

Second Period 

The Bulldogs started the second period strong, quickly establishing offensive zone time and generating pressure, which led to three shots in the first couple of minutes.

5:28 into the second period, UMD opened the scoring as left winger Scout Truman fired a shot on the rush that deflected off a Vikings defenseman's stick straight up in the air and into the net, fooling goaltender Josh Kotai. 

Just over a minute later, the Bulldogs struck again as defenseman Ty Hanson received a pass from left winger Max Plante to fire it in from the point for a 2-0 Bulldog lead. 

At the 12:18 mark in the second, UMD drew a holding penalty, which resulted in them receiving a four-on-three man advantage. Just before the power play expired, the Bulldogs tallied yet another goal, this time from right winger Callum Arnott. Arnott one-timed it in from the left circle on a perfectly placed pass from defenseman Grayden Siepmann. 

Just after the nine-minute mark in the second period, things started to heat up. Bulldogs defenseman Brady Cleveland laid a huge hit on a Viking that immediately led to a massive scuffle by the sideboards. The referees reviewed it for a major penalty but decided it was nothing more than a two-minute checking from behind penalty. 

Because this play involved a ton of extracurricular activity after the whistle, UMD ended up with two penalties, while the Vikings received only one. This put Augustana on the power play, but Bulldogs goaltender Adam Gajan wasn’t fazed. He stopped several crucial chances by the Vikings, keeping the Bulldogs up by three.

UMD clears the puck down the length of the ice, draining time off of their penalty. Photo by Lydia Asmus

In the final minutes of the period, following sustained offensive zone time, center Zam Plante found his brother Max in the slot for a quick snap shot that beat Vikings goaltender Josh Kotai.

UMD finished the period outshooting the Vikings 26-12, while controlling possession in Augustana’s defensive zone for most of the period.

Third Period

Augustana wasted no time as they controlled the first half of the period in UMD’s defensive zone. The Bulldogs were able to get a few chances off the rush, but most of the time was spent testing UMD goalie Adam Gajan. 

Just before the six-minute mark of the third period, UMD committed a tripping penalty that allowed Vikings right winger Tyler Hennen to get Augustana on the scoreboard, cutting their lead to three.

However, it wasn’t enough as UMD drew another penalty that put them on their third power play of the game, with just over a minute remaining. This allowed the Bulldogs to cap off a well-rounded 4-1 victory. 

The Bulldogs leaned on wingers Max Plante and Callum Arnott, along with goaltender Adam Gajan, to lead them to victory. 

Plante and Arnott both contributed one goal and one assist, while Gajan stopped 16 of 17 shots for a save percentage of .941.

Saturday

1st Period

The second game of the series began with an up-tempo pace as both teams wasted no time creating scoring chances. The Bulldogs’ first line, with Max Plante, Zam Plante, and Jayson Shaugabay, generated some fast-paced offensive pressure, testing the Vikings’ defense early on. It also took Augustana almost seven minutes to get their first shot on goal, due to UMD’s smothering defensive pressure. 

Not too long after Augustana’s first shot on net, UMD committed a holding penalty that gave the Vikings the first power play of the game. However, the Bulldogs were able to kill it off as goaltender Adam Gajan made three saves to keep the game scoreless for the time being. 

With 8:56 left in the period, Augustana broke the scoring as forward Hunter Bischoff drove the net on the rush to deke Gajan for the goal, as he gave the Vikings their first lead of the series. 

Following the Vikings’ goal, UMD took a penalty shortly after, which gave Augustana another chance to score on the power play. This led to sustained pressure by the Vikings, but the Bulldogs did a significant job getting in shooting lanes to block shots, while Gajan made several key saves as well. 

Despite the momentum Augustana gained from the first period, UMD showed signs of life as their first line sustained offensive zone time to end the first. 

2nd Period

The Bulldogs began generating great offensive zone time, putting the Vikings on their heels early to start the second period. As the period progressed, Bulldog goaltender Adam Gajan made a superb save on a Viking in the high slot that kept the score 1-0. 

Despite applying pressure and outshooting Augustana 25-12 in the period, the Bulldogs struggled to generate much offense as they were forced to kill off three penalties. Just after the five-minute mark in the period, Duluth earned their first power play of the game but couldn’t convert.

As soon as Augustana returned to even strength, they were handed not one but two power plays, giving them a two-man advantage for the remainder of the period. Just when it looked like UMD might escape the period down only one, Augustana entered the Bulldog zone on a three-on-one rush. Forward Jacob Jastrzebski set up Colton Friesen for a one-timer, extending the Vikings' lead to 2-0.

3rd Period

The Bulldogs opened the third period by successfully killing off a penalty that carried over from the second. Back at full strength, they began to pressure Viking goaltender Josh Kotai, who stood tall in the net. He steered aside several shots, including a fantastic cross-crease save early in the period, to keep the Vikings ahead by two.

About seven minutes into the period, UMD was handed a much-needed power play from an Augustana interference call, but couldn’t find the back of the net, as the goal post came to Kotai’s rescue at the end of the power play. Following Duluth’s man advantage, both teams traded scoring chances for the next five minutes, as both goalies came up clutch to keep the score at 2-0. 

The Bulldogs hit the ice for their first home series of the season in front of their home crowd on Friday, October 11. Photo by Lydia Asmus

With just over three minutes remaining, UMD pulled their goalie for one final push to tie the game. However, Augustana had other plans, scoring twice on the empty net to put the game out of reach for UMD and win 4-0. The Bulldogs also struggled with discipline in the loss, taking five penalties over the course of the game.

Even though UMD outshot Augustana 40-16, the Vikings didn’t let that affect their game plan, coming away with the win, earning a series split, and their first win of the season. 

UMD looks to bounce back next weekend with a home-and-home series against Bemidji State University. Friday’s game will be on the road, but they’ll be back at AMSOIL on Saturday at 6:07 pm.