Minnesota Duluth snapped a three-game losing streak and five-game winless streak with a 3-1 win over Northern Michigan on Saturday at the Berry Events Center in Marquette.
Below are my thumbs up and thumbs down from Saturday’s game, plus my three stars of the night.
Thumbs up to UMD taking a lead and keeping it
In UMD’s last three games — all losses and all by a goal — we saw the Bulldogs jump out to leads in two of the games, only to blow the advantage. The Bulldogs led 2-0 over Denver on Jan. 22 in a 3-2 loss and on Friday in Marquette, the ‘Dogs led the ‘Cats 2-1 and 3-2 before falling 4-3.
Tonight UMD was able to take a crucial 3-0 lead in the final two minutes of the first period via a great job by junior center Dominic Toninato. He outworked the NMU defenseman to score, finishing a chance by senior defenseman Andy Welinski.
From there, the Bulldogs played a pretty tight defensive game, giving up just the one goal in the second, to beat the Wildcats. Good teams take leads and never look back. While the Wildcats never left the rearview mirror, they couldn’t get back within striking distance.
Thumbs down to UMD’s power play
UMD finished 0-for-7 on the man advantage Saturday night, though one of those seven chances only lasted 18 seconds. The Bulldogs generated just three shots on goal — the same amount they put on the NMU net shorthanded — and are now 0-for-36 on the power play in their last 10 games.
Not sure what else to say here. Once again the power play had it’s moments, but for the most part was just a great way to drain some clock with a two-goal lead.
Matt’s Three Stars
2. UMD senior center Tony Cameranesi: He scored his ninth goal of the season 69 seconds into the game via a great pass by junior defenseman Carson Soucy to put the Bulldogs up 1-0.
2. UMD freshman wing Parker Mackay: This kid continues to impress and climb up the depth chart. He scored his fourth goal of the season 3:56 into the game to put Northern down 2-0.
1. UMD junior center Dominic Toninato: I described his goal above. It was just great to see someone on the Bulldogs outmuscle and outwork an opposing defenseman in the crease to get a goal. It needs to happen more often.