UMD Hockey Teams Set to Open Season at Amsoil Arena — The Statesman http://www.theumdstatesman.com/sports-and-outdoors/2016/9/30/umd-h...
Statesma
HOME SPORTS AND OUTDOORS CULTURE NEWS CONTACT US SEARCH
UMD Hockey Teams Set to Open Season at Amsoil Arena
SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 BY ERIK GAFFRON
Both UMD men's and women's hockey teams open their 2016-2017 seasons at the
Amsoil Arena this coming weekend.
The contests for the weekend will kick off with the women's team regular season opener facing off against the No. 3 in the nation Boston College Eagles.
The Bulldog ladies are coming off a strong 4-1 victory last week against the Minnesota
Whitecaps. Lara Stalder and Ashleigh Brykaliuk powered the Bulldog offense in the
exhibition win with a pair of goals each.
Women's head coach Maura Crowell was pleased with her team's performance in their
opening game and expressed excitement and a positive outlook for their matchup
1 of 4 10/6/2016 1:21 PM UMD Hockey Teams Set to Open Season at Amsoil Arena — The Statesman http://www.theumdstatesman.com/sports-and-outdoors/2016/9/30/umd-h...
against the Eagles.
"Going into our opening weekend I think
it's fantastic we play B.C. (Boston
College). They have a lot of speed and a
lot of finesse and good depth just like us.
So it should be a great match-up,"
Crowell said.
Sophomore goaltender Maddie Rooney
will get the start in net for the regular
season opener for the Bulldogs. She
stopped 33 of 34 Whitecap shots last
weekend and coach Crowell has been
happy with the growth she sees in her
goalie. Ashleigh Brykaliuk Photo Courtesy of UMD Athletics
"She had a great performance last
Saturday," Crowell said. " She's stronger,
she's more confident, she's more
focused and she knows it's her net. I
think that brings a level of confidence to
her game as well."
Crowell's squad will drop the puck
against the Eagles on Friday, Sept. 30 at
7 p.m. and again for the second game of
the series on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m.
Saturday will continue with another
Bulldog home matchup.
The UMD men's hockey team will look to
get their first victories of the season this Lara Stalder Photo Courtesy of UMD
2 of 4 10/6/2016 1:21 PM UMD Hockey Teams Set to Open Season at Amsoil Arena — The Statesman http://www.theumdstatesman.com/sports-and-outdoors/2016/9/30/umd-h...
weekend against the Michigan Tech Athletics
Huskies.
The Bulldogs, lead by 17-year head
coach Scott Sandelin, return 16
letterwinners from the 2015-2016 regular
season. Notably, captain Dominic
Toninato returns for his senior season.
The Bulldog men also gain a new crop of
rookies and transfers. Former Mr.
Hockey Award winner Riley Tufte will join
the team for his freshman year. Coach
Sandelin is optimistic about Tufte's
capabilities and finding a way to let him
keep improving at the collegiate level.
"There's going to be some ups and Dominic Toninato Photo Courtesy of UMD Athletics downs as there's a lot of things for him to learn, like every player," Sandelin said.
"We just want him to go play and we will
let him make some mistakes and grow into it."
Sandelin also looks to see leadership out of his older returners to help his new players
adjust to Bulldog hockey.
'The luxury of having some of our older guys back, you know getting Dom (Toninato)
and Alex (lafallo) and having some veteran guys is nice because hopefully we can put
him (Tufte) in positions like other freshman that we've had to get success right away,"
Sandelin said.
Sandelin was unwilling to divulge who's starting in net for the Bulldogs to open the
season. The 2015-2016 starting goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo left the Bulldogs to a free
agency signing with Toronto Maple Leafs after the conclusion of the season.
3 of 4 10/6/2016 1:21 PM UMD Hockey Teams Set to Open Season at Amsoil Arena — The Statesman http://www.theumdstatesman.com/sports-and-outdoors/2016/9/30/umd-h...
The Bulldogs have three goalies on the
roster who could possibly get the nod
this weekend. Those are freshman
Hunter Shepard, Hunter Miska and
red-shirt freshman Nick Deery.
Sandelin's group of Bulldogs will take on
the Huskies on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7:07
p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 2 at 4:07 p.m.
Riley Tufte Photo Courtesy of UMD Athletics
• 1 LIKE < SHARE
< Newer Older >
4 of 4 10/6/2016 1:21 PM