No. 6-ranked Minnesota Duluth tied No. 8 Nebraska-Omaha 1-1 on Saturday in NCHC play at Amsoil Arena, but lost the shootout 2-1 in three rounds. The two teams tied 1-1 the night before as well, but Omaha won the shootout that night 2-0.
Here are my thumbs up and thumbs down from Saturday’s game, followed by my three stars of the game.
Thumbs up to UMD freshman goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo
This probably could be said for the entire Bulldogs hockey team, but I think some would look more fondly on Kaskisuo’s weekend against Omaha if not for two shootout losses. The shootouts were the only area Massa out-shined Kaskisuo. Otherwise, I give the UMD netminder the edge in the goaltending battle.
On Saturday, I felt Kaskisuo was challenged more and had to make the tougher saves. Massa got a lot of help from those in front of him via clogged lanes, blocked shots and the Bulldogs missing the net on a few Grade-A chances. Kaskisuo was often left to fend for himself when challenged.
This was a big weekend for Kaskisuo. He’s playing at a very high level right now and could take UMD far into the postseason if he keeps up his current level of play. Because of that I give him my thumbs up for the second night in a row.
Thumbs down to the Bulldogs awful power play opportunity with 3:57 to play in the third period
The Bulldogs were gifted with a power play with 3:57 remaining in the third period when Omaha’s Grant Gallo decided to take down Kaskisuo behind the Bulldog net and they did absolutely nothing with it.
The final stats say the Bulldogs put a shot on Massa on the power play, but I don’t remember it and I can’t find it on the shot chart, so I doubt it happened.
What I do remember was the Bulldogs skating up and down the ice chasing the puck for two-minutes straight while Omaha just sat in their own zone and threw the puck back down to the other end.
It was awful, horrendous and possibly the worst power play attempt for UMD all season and the timing was less than perfect.
Matt’s Three Stars
3. UMD senior forward Justin Crandall: The senior alternate captain continues to produce offense for the Bulldogs and the way Kaskisuo was playing, I thought Crandall’s goal would stand up as the game-winner.
2. UMD freshman goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo: Kaskisuo finished with 28 saves, but couldn’t stop Omaha’s Jake Randolph and Austin Ortega in the shootout. Thankfully shootouts don’t extend beyond the regular season, which ends next weekend.
1. UNO senior goaltender Ryan Massa: He was nigh unbeatable not only in regulation, but in the shootout. Massa made 27 saves on Saturday and is without a doubt the key to the Mavericks postseason success.