There’s no other way to say it: Friday was not what UMD was looking for to start its final series before break. An early power play fizzled, which led to Denver taking almost complete control of the affair quickly and never giving it up, winning 5-0 for a seventh straight victory.
Not much went right for the Bulldogs, who were largely dominated for most of the game. There were small signs of life at various points, but nothing was sustained. Denver goalie Magnus Chrona picked up his first shutout of the season (fourth career) while making 23 saves. He did cough up a few rebounds, but nothing that UMD was able to capitalize on.
The home team looked off. Passes weren’t crisp. Players looked indecisive with the puck, as if they didn’t recognize their options on plays. Exits were sloppy. Zone time was limited. UMD was never really able to generate anything in transition.
If one were pressed to pick a bright spot, it would have to be the penalty kill, which was perfect in four chances and blocked a number of shots when DU was able to get set up in the offensive zone. Admittedly, though, it’s a stretch to call that a silver lining, given how the rest of the game went.
After throwing the lines in a blender for the third period Friday, UMD coach Scott Sandelin has returned virtually everyone to the same spot they were in. The exception is Kyler Kleven, who is scratched to allow Ben Almquist to draw back in on the fourth line. No changes for Denver, where freshman defenseman Sean Behrens remains out. Behrens was slated to head to the World Junior camp Sunday with teammate Carter Mazur and UMD’s Dominic James, Connor Kelley, and Wyatt Kaiser. We don’t know why Behrens is out, or if it will affect his ability to attend the camp. The tournament starts Dec. 26, so it’s a relatively quick turnaround.
Ryan Fanti vs Magnus Chrona.
Lines?
Lines.
UMD forwards
Cates – Gilling – Laderoute
Roth – Loney – Bender
Olson – James – Biondi
Almquist – Jacques – Loheit
UMD defense
Anderson (Matt) – Kelley
Kaiser – Gotz
Gallatin – Lellig
Rosenbaum
UMD goalies
Fanti – Patt – Anderson (Brady)
Denver forwards
Savoie – Guttman – Brink
Mazur – Rizzo – Wright
Barrow – Stapley – Devine
King – Webster – Caponi
Ozar
Denver defense
Buium – Benning
Irwin – Mayhew
Lee – Tuomisto
Denver goalies
Chrona – Caruso
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