Gameday Central: October 16 at New Ulm

SCOUTING THE STEEL:Though last year’s New Ulm squad beat the Bulls in four of their six meetings, this year’s team has been slow to get off the ground with three straight losses to open 2020-21. Joey Gimberlin had a huge game against Alexandria last Friday night, picking up points on all of New Ulm’s goals in a 5-3 loss – his last marker of the game was a shorthanded goal that put the Steel ahead 3-1 with less than three minutes gone in the third period. The lead did not last – despite a 50-shot blitz from New Ulm’s offense in the contest, Bailey Rosch rode a 47-save performance and four unanswered goals to the victory. Griffin Foster made 26 saves in the loss, narrowly missing his first win since coming over from the defunct Breezy Point North Stars franchise this year. 

GOING FOUR HISTORY: North Iowa is officially on milestone watch to begin the new season, entering the weekend with 399 wins all-time against junior competition. That mark includes victories in the regular season, NA3HL postseason, USA Hockey national tournaments and two late adds to the schedule against the Topeka Capitals during the 2013-14 season. It does not include the team’s three exhibition wins against the Shattuck-St. Mary’s Sabres. With the team’s 400^th win all-time will also come head coach Todd Sanden’s 400^th win as North Iowa’s head coach.

KILL IT WITH FIRE: Granite City was effective in shutting down the Bulls’ power play last weekend, but it’s been clear that North Iowa’s penalty-killing unit will be a force to be reckoned with this season. The Bulls have killed off all 12 power play chances against them so far this season, ranking alone atop the North American Tier 3 Hockey League (along with three other teams whose perfect penalty-killing marks have come in fewer chances). Dating back to last season, the current streak stands at 15 straight successful penalty kills for North Iowa.

MAKE YOURSELF RIGHT AT HOME: Last weekend saw the debut of a few new Bulls players, who made their presence immediately known against Granite City in Saturday’s 3-2 win – Brady Snedden’s game-winner came in his second game as a Bull after earning the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches’ Association’s Player of the Year award last year. Gijs DeSchepper notched two helpers in his first start after joining the team from the former Coulee Region Chill franchise in La Crosse, Wisconsin.