Bulldogs, Knapp bounce back to split series at Colorado College

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Minnesota Duluth bounced back Saturday from Friday’s 7-2 loss at Colorado College, and so did the Bulldogs' goaltender.

Freshman Klayton Knapp made 27 saves on 28 shots to backstop the Bulldogs to a 4-1 victory over the No. 18-ranked Tigers to split the NCHC series at Ed Robson Arena in Colorado Springs.

Knapp, making his eighth-straight start Saturday, was beat four times on 13 shots Friday. He was pulled 3:15 into the second period after UMD fell behind 4-0.

Freshman forwards Max Plante, Blake Bechen and Jayson Shaugabay scored for the Bulldogs — while sophomore wing Anthony Menghini got an empty-netter — with Plante and Shaugabay scoring power play goals. UMD finished 2-for-6 on the power play Saturday.

Bechen and Shaugabay both scored in the second period, and both goals withstood challenges by Colorado College. Bechen’s goal was unsuccessfully challenged for a high stick and Shaugabay’s power play goal was deemed not to be aided by goaltender interference, resulting in a minor penalty on CC.

There were three video reviews in the second period — lasting over seven minutes combined, according to KDAL’s Bruce Ciskie — and one, sort of went the Tigers’ way when sophomore defenseman Brady Cleveland received a minor and not a major for a high hit on Plante.

Plante finished with a goal and an assist Saturday — so did his linemate, Shaugabay — to give the former Hermantown Hawk at least one point in eight of the nine games he’s played this season. Plante has a point in six straight games he’s played for UMD and a goal in five of the last six games he’s played.

CC junior goaltender Kaiden Mbereko finished with 19 saves as his team was held to a single goal. Junior forward Gleb Veremyev got the Tigers on the scoreboard with 25 seconds remaining in the first period, tying the game 1-1 42 seconds after Plante gave UMD a 1-0 lead.

Senior center Carter Loney and freshman wing Harper Bentz were both out of the UMD lineup on Saturday having not made the trip to Colorado after suffering upper body injuries last weekend against St. Cloud State.

Freshman goaltender Adam Gajan, who started 12 straight games before Knapp took over as the starters, was also out of the Bulldogs’ lineup for the ninth-straight game Saturday because of an ankle injury.

The Bulldogs are back home at Amsoil Arena next weekend, hosting defending national champion Denver at 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday in Duluth.

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