Beavers beat Bulldogs in season opener

DULUTH — Minnesota Duluth's freshmen class put on a show Saturday in their first games as Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena, but they could not cap it with a victory.

The Bulldogs never led in a 4-3 non-conference overtime loss to Bemidji State, falling behind less than two minutes into the 2024-25 season opener.

Freshman wing Jayson Shaugabay scored UMD's first two goals and assisted on the game-tying goal by freshman center Zam Plante in the final two minutes. However, a turnover by Plante along the wall in UMD's zone during 3-on-3 overtime led to the game-winning goal by Beavers fifth-year senior captain Jackson Jutting.

Junior Zach Sandy got the start for the Bulldogs in the season opener, finishing with 19 saves on 23 shots. It was just his second start in three seasons at UMD with the first coming in the second-to-last game of last season — a 6-5 overtime win over St. Cloud State in Duluth.

Sandy got the start in the season-opener Saturday because freshman Adam Gajan of Slovakia, the 2023 second-round NHL draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, was ruled ineligible for appearing in an exhibition game in a Slovakian pro league during the 2020-21 season. His penance from the NCAA was having to sit out Saturday's game. UMD had been appealing the ruling. Gajan and freshman Klyaton Knapp are expected to spend time on Sunday when UMD hosts Manitoba in an exhibition.

Shaugabay led the way for UMD with three points Saturday — two goals and an assist — while both Plante brothers had two points. Zam Plante had a goal and assist while Max Plante had two assists. As advertised during the week, Sandelin had the three freshmen together on a forward line. Eight of the 11 freshmen were in the lineup Saturday.

Shaugabay, the 2023 Minnesota Mr. Hockey out of Warroad, became the first of the heralded 11-member freshman class to get a goal in 2024-25. It came with 1.1 seconds left in the first period after Max Plante found himself alone in front of the net following a pass from his brother, Zam Plante.

Shaugabay's second goal of the night came on a power play in the second period. He was teamed with four Hermantown alumni on UMD's second power-play unit Saturday, playing with the Plante brothers, Hanson and Aaron Pionk.

Donte Lawson — who scored the game-winning, double-overtime goal for Greenway against Hermantown in the 2019 Section 7A championship at Amsoil Arena — got another goal at Amsoil Arena on Saturday. The Beavers' senior wing scored 3:21 into the second period to put the Bulldogs — and their five Hermantown alumni — down 2-1 at the time.

BSU senior goalie Mattias Sholl had to leave the game in the third period after making an outstretched save on Zam Plante. Raythan Robbins finished the game in goal for Beavers, making 11 saves on 12 shots. Sholl finished with 26 saves.

Up next

UMD hosts Manitoba in an exhibition at 2 p.m. Sunday at Amsoil Arena. The Bulldogs are on the road next weekend at UMass-Lowell.

Bemidji State 1-2-0-1—4Minnesota Duluth 1-1-1-0—3First periodSecond periodThird periodSaves — Mattias Sholl, BSU, 26; Raythan Robbins, BSU, 11; Zach Sandy, UMD, 19. Power play — BSU 0-1; UMD 1-4. Penalties — BSU 4-8; UMD 1-2.

more by matt wellens UMD got goals in the third period from Tova Henderson and Clara Van Wieren to battle back for the win over the Raiders in upstate New York on Friday. Share News reporting News reportingBased on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags By Matt Wellens Co-host of the Bulldog Insider Podcast and college hockey reporter for the Duluth News Tribune and The Rink Live covering the Minnesota Duluth men's and women's hockey programs. Conversation What To Read Next Get Local