Bemidji State (9-13-0) at Ferris State (6-14-1)

On the road in Michigan, Bemidji State opened game one with back-to-back goals in quick succession against Ferris State. Only 2:36 into the second period, the Beavers made it 3-0, with Greenway's Donte Lawson tallying his first career collegiate goal. Midway through the period, the Bulldogs scored to make it 3-1, but that would be the only goal Ferris State would get past goaltender Mattias Sholl, as the Beavers added an empty net goal to win 4-1. It was a penalty-filled affair with 10 total penalties called. However, both teams were unable to capitalize on a man advantage. 

In game two, the Bulldogs came out flying and led 2-0 only 5:23 into the game, with Bemidji's Lleyton Roed scoring shorthanded late in the period to head into the locker room down 2-1. With under five minutes to go in the second and down 3-1, Roed scored again to bring the Beavers back within one. However, a Trevor Taulien goal with only 12 seconds remaining in the period placed Bemidji State in a 4-2 hole heading into the third. Ferris State buried a power play goal to extend their lead to 5-2 and eventually came away the victors, winning 5-3 and earning a split on home ice. 

Bemidji State remains atop the CCHA standings with 25 conference points and is No. 40 in the PairWise Rankings. The Beavers will have a weekend off before returning to Michigan to face another conference opponent the following weekend, with a puck drop against Michigan Tech at 6:07 PM CT on 1/19 and 1/20. 

No. 10 Minnesota (10-6-4) vs. No. 20 Colorado College (10-7-1)

Meeting for only the second time in the last 10 years, Minnesota welcomed Colorado College to campus for the Gophers' first series of 2024. 

Scheduled for Sunday and Monday to allow time for the four U.S. World Juniors members to return to the lineup, one of those four players, Jimmy Snuggerud, kicked off the scoring 3:41 into the second period of game one. The visiting Tigers dominated the rest of the period with goals scored by Bret Link, Gleb Veremyev, and Tyler Coffey to put Colorado College ahead 3-1 at the second intermission.

At 7:12 of the third, John Mittelstadt brought the deficit to one, scoring his first goal of the season. A few minutes later, a defensive-zone turnover resulted in Colorado College going ahead 4-2. Shortly after that, Snuggerud added his second goal of the game and thirteenth goal of the season. Down 5-3 with 2:34 to go, Brody Lamb brought the Gophers back within one. However, the comeback fell short, and the Tigers added an empty netter to win 6-4. 

In game two on Jan. 8, the Gophers' Charlie Strobel extinguished an early 1-0 deficit, with the Hill-Murray grad inserted on the fourth line after being a healthy scratch the night prior. Tied 1-1 to start the second, Jimmy Snuggerud tallied two consecutive goals to put Minnesota ahead 3-1 heading into the final frame. The Tigers Ryan Beck scored to make it 3-2 5:28 into the third, but the Gophers responded soon after, with Rhett Pitlick finishing on the power play before adding an even-strength goal only 1:29 later, extending the Gophers lead to 5-2.

The final goal of the night came off the hot stick of none other than Jimmy Snuggerud, with Snuggerud completing his hat trick. After a five-goal series, the Chaska native sits atop the Big Ten goal scorers list and is tied for second place in the NCAA with 16 goals scored this season.

The four World Juniors returnees – Jimmy Snuggerud, Oliver Moore, Sam Rinzel, and Ryan Chesley – combined for 11 points in the series split. It was also a big night for goaltender Justen Close, who posted 28 saves and earned his 50th career win in the 6-2 victory. 

Minnesota will remain at home for the next two weekend series, with Robert Morris (6-13-3) first on 1/12 and 1/13 this coming weekend. 

Minnesota Duluth (6-9-4) at St. Thomas (9-10-1) – Exhibition Game

These two teams kicked off 2024 with an exhibition game on 1/6 at St. Thomas Ice Arena, with the Tommies coming out by a score of 3-1. Scoreless at the midway point of the game, Liam Malmquist scored to put St. Thomas ahead 1-0. In the third, St. Thomas extended their lead to 2-0 before UMD's Braden Fischer responded only 13 seconds later to bring it to 2-1. Only 1:53 passed before Luke Manning capitalized on a power play to make it 3-1 and secure the win. 

UMD will return to official competition this coming weekend at home against Colorado College on 1/12 and 1/13. St. Thomas will return to CCHA play against Michigan Tech (9-8-4) at home on Thursday, 1/11, and Saturday, 1/13. 

Minnesota State (9-8-3) at Augustana (6-11-3)

Marking the first time these two teams have met, Augustana hosted this matchup and led 2-0 at the first intermission, notching goals from defensemen Shay Donovan and Hayden Hennen. The Mavericks' leading scorer, Sam Morton, scored in the early part of the second before an Augustana power-play goal later in the period regained the Vikings' two-goal advantage. In the third, Brett Moravec scored 3:23 into the period to make it 3-2, and the Mavericks tied it at 3-3 with 11:08 to go in regulation, with junior Connor Gregga scoring a key goal for his first of the season. The game eventually headed to overtime and ended in a tie, with Augustana's Zack Rose making 44 saves. 

The rematch Saturday night saw Minnesota State outshoot Augustana 14-6 in period one. However, Augustana's Luke Mobley tallied the lone goal in the first to put the Vikings ahead 1-0. Both teams were held goalless in the second period, with goaltender Josh Kotai remaining strong in net for Augustana, saving all 30 shots on net through two. With 11:59 to go in the game, Sam Morton again rescued the Mavericks, tying the game and scoring his 15th goal of the season, which leads the CCHA. Late in regulation and on a power play, Minnesota State's Adam Eisele fired home the game-winning goal, scoring on a quick shot from the top of the circle that beat Kotai low. 

Sitting at No. 30 in the PairWise rankings, Minnesota State will return home to play Ferris State this weekend on 1/12 and 1/13.