For UMD, this is a significant weekend. The Bulldogs have shown clear and obvious signs of improvement, especially over the last three games. Western Michigan — both in terms of its overall talent and its frenetic style — is a different kind of challenge than the Bulldogs have seen to this point.
As Scott Sandelin pointed out Wednesday, you tend to get some “racehorse hockey” when you face the Broncos. Can UMD thrive in that environment? We don’t know, as it hasn’t really happened yet.
Max Plante, as expected for a while now, makes his return in this game. If he can pick up where he left off after his first two periods as a Bulldog, we’re in for a treat going forward. The James Gang stays as constructed last week, with Harper Bentz getting the first opportunity alongside the brothers Plante.
Adam Gajan vs Cameron Rowe. Western will scratch either a forward or defenseman after warmup.
Lines?
Lines.
UMD forwards
Menghini – James – Shaugabay
Plante (Max) – Plante (Zam) – Bentz
Molenaar – Smith – Loney
Bechen – Arnott – Bettens
UMD defense
Dubinsky – Kleber
Gallatin – Pierce
Pionk – Hanson
Bodnarchuk
UMD goalies
Gajan – Sandy – Knapp
Western Michigan forwards
Bump – Costantini – Lemyre
Valente – Slukynsky (Grant) – Nehring
Hakkarainen – Washe – Michaels
Hendricks – Knuble – Szydlowski
Wolthers
Western Michigan defense
Sjolund – Vaisanen
Kramer – Crusberg-Roseen
Sharp – Drazner
Mesic
Western Michigan goalies
Rowe – Slukynsky (Hampton)
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