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BULLDOGS GET 2012-13 ROAD SHOW OFF TO A WINNING START

Thursday, October 18, 2012

The Bulldogs celebrate Cal Decowski's first-period goal which game UMD a lead (1-0) it would never relinquish

Credit: Joe Raymond

A pattern of road success has developed for the University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey team over the past few seasons, and if early indications are correct, that trend looks like it will continue in 2012-13.

Thanks to big contributions from key role players, UMD opened its road schedule with a 3-1 win over the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on Thursday night, upping its record to 26-10-9 away from Duluth since the start of the 2011 national championship campaign.

Fourth-liners Cal Decowski and Dan DeLisle combined for two goals and three points to pace the No. 13-ranked Bulldogs offensively, and freshman goaltender Matt McNeely made 29 saves in his first collegiate outing to solidify the win.

By the 14-minute mark of the middle period, UMD had put the Irish in a 3-0 hole, which proved to be more than enough.

Decowski opened the scoring on a 5-on-3 power play when he redirected a Mike Seidel centering feed over the shoulder of Notre Dame goalie Steven Summerhays with just seconds remaining in the first period, giving the Bulldogs their sixth power-play goal of the young season.

Then, midway through the second, Decowski found DeLisle streaking up the middle of the ice after a successful penalty kill. DeLisle cruised in all alone and fired a shot past Summerhays for the eventual game-winner and his first goal since Jan. 13, 2012 at Nebraska-Omaha.

Sophomore forward Justin Crandall batted home a rebound four minutes later to add insurance, and McNeely’s steady third period kept the Bulldogs in front for good.

Senior blue-liner Wade Bergman had a pair of assists, giving him 30 helpers as a Bulldog. 

UMD will look to complete the sweep when the same two teams do battle tomorrow night at 6:35 p.m.

Scoring Summary

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