Updated Bulldogs incoming freshmen stats (as of Monday, Feb. 19):
F, Max Plante (U.S. National U-18) – 10 goals, 28 assists, 38 points, +13 in 31 games
F, Zam Plante (Fargo Force) – 20-34=54, +27, 38. Notes: Third in USHL individual scoring, with 14 points (five goals) in last five games.
F, Jayson Shaugabay (Green Bay) – 11-26=37, -1, 41. Notes: 6 points (4 goals) in last five games.
"It's important for people to recognize that we could be dealing with air quality impacts for a long time to come. These impacts could likely vary from day to day, and even hour by hour; and may also vary depending based on location across our large county." -- Amy Westbrook
The Vikings are too talented at receiver, too well coached and too versatile defensively to dismiss. They are also too uncertain at quarterback, center, safety and defensive-line depth to declare a championship contender. The most reasonable prediction is 10-7.
The exhibition will be UMD’s first meeting with the Under-18 team since Jan. 5, 2019, when Team USA defeated the Bulldogs 4-2 at Amsoil. Cole Caufield scored twice for the visitors, who outshot UMD 39-28.
The next challenge for AF1 will be converting its larger digital audience into sustained interest during the playoffs and offseason.
