Aaron Crandall Stars in Bulldogs First Road Sweep

Before this weekend I wrote a midseason report and keyed on UMD's goaltending was the biggest component missing from the Bulldog lineup. After tonight, Aaron Crandall may have just filled that gap.

Despite being outshot by a 53-13 margin, the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs defeated the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks to complete their first road sweep of the 2013-14 season.

The Bulldogs scored one goal each period, two of which belonged to senior captain Joe Basaraba, before Jake Guentzel would finally put the Mavericks on the board with under four minutes remaining in regulation play.

Player of the game? Isn't it obvious?

Crandall made 52 saves on Saturday night's triumph, which gives him a save percentage of .981 for the night, and a .968 on the weekend saving 90 of the 93 shots he faced.

"Cranny (Crandall) was the guy that controlled the game," said coach Scott Sandelin. "I thought he was seeing the puck really well and controlling his rebounds and I also thought our guys did a great job at blocking around the net."

"It was unfortunate we gave up that goal because it would have been nice for Crandall to get the shutout ."

Washington Capitals prospect Caleb Herbert finished the game with one goal and two assists for three points, Florida Panthers prospect Joe Basaraba finished the night with two goals, and Austin Farley added to assists to sum up multiple-point skaters on the night.

Scoring Summary

1st Period - UMD (12:24) Joe Basaraba from Austin Farley and Caleb Herbert

2nd Period - UMD (7:20) GWG Caleb Herbert from Austin Farley

3rd Period - UMD (10:04) Joe Basaraba from Caleb Herbert and Derik Johnson

3rd Period - UNO (16:10) Jake Guentzel from Brian Cooper

Goaltending Summary

Aaron Crandall (UMD): 12-23-17 = 52 (1 GA) - W

Kirk Thompson (UNO): 2-6-1 = 10 (3 GA) - L

Official Three Stars

1. Joe Basaraba

2. Caleb Herbert

3. Aaron Crandall

Game Notes

• The last time a UMD goaltender made 50 or more saves in a regulation game victory was Bill Perkl, who finished with 51 stops in the Bulldogs' 8-7 triumph at Wisconsin on Nov. 9, 1979
• Faceoffs were dominated by the Mavericks, who finished out the night with an overall record of 41-19, including 13-2 by Dominic Zombo.
• Both teams failed to convert on the powerplay throughout the night - UMD going 0/3 and UNO going 0/4.
• Sophomore defenseman Andy Welinski was credited with an assist on Caleb Herbert's goal, which extended his personal scoring streak to a career-high five games
• Thompson suffered the loss with 10 saves and is now 3-4-1 on the season. Crandall, who finished the weekend with 90 saves, improved to 7-5-0.
• Joe Basaraba now has two career two-goal nights to his credit and both have come at the expense of Omaha.
• The Mavericks are on the road next week to play Miami, OH.
• The Bulldogs host the Denver Pioneers next weekend at Amsoil Arena in Duluth, MN.

Enjoy,

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Matt Christians covers Minnesota Duluth and the NCHC for SB Nation and College Hockey News. You can also give him a follow here -> Follow @matt_christians