BEMIDJI, Minn. — Greetings from Sanford Center, where UMD finally breaks away from home and will operate as the visiting team in a hockey game.
Four in a row at home brought UMD a just fine 2-0-2 record, including a 4-0 win over Bemidji State on Friday that saw — again — precious little five-on-five play. It got to the point where head coach Scott Sandelin openly mused about using standout sophomore Ben Steeves on the penalty kill, just to get him on the ice.
(This isn’t said to imply that Steeves couldn’t handle that duty. He’s certainly smart enough and competitive enough for it. He’s just not done it so far with the Bulldogs.)
Only one change for UMD, as junior Kyler Kleven draws in for his first game since the NCAA Loveland Regional final against Denver on March 26, 2022, 574 days ago. Kleven missed all of last season after suffering a shoulder injury in preseason and requiring surgery. He then got injured at the start of preseason practices (not related to the shoulder) and needed time to ramp up to playing again. Sandelin hinted last week after the Dominic James injury that he thought Kleven might be ready to go, but they opted to give him another week.
Zach Stejskal vs Gavin Enright. Bemidji subs freshman Kasper Magnussen in for Rhys Chiddenton. Magnussen makes his Bemidji debut. Lines are shuffled a bit, but that’s the only personnel change besides starting goaltender.
Lines?
Lines.
UMD forwards
Olson – Spicer – Loheit
McMenamin – Perkins – Biondi
Steeves – Loney – Bettens
Menghini – Smith – Kleven
UMD defense
Pionk – Gotz
Gallatin – Dubinsky
Bodnarchuk – Bast
Pierce
UMD goalies
Stejskal – Thiessen – Sandy
Bemidji State forwards
Roed – Martin – Flammang
Engstrom – Vaisanen – Magnussen
Lewandowski – Jutting – Jones
Irey – McLean – Jouppi
Quinn
Bemidji State defense
Looft – Acheson
Satosaari – Pohlkamp
Follmer – Wolfe
Bemidji State goalies
Enright – Sholl – Robbins
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