UMD Women's Hockey to Face Minnesota Short-Handed

The 13th-ranked Bulldogs face Minnesota this weekend with five players absent for national team commitments.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hockey

UMD Women's Hockey to Face Minnesota Short-Handed

Live Poll

Should collegiate athletic programs prioritize allowing players to compete in international tournaments over local game rosters?

The 13th-ranked University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team prepares to take on 2nd-ranked Minnesota this Friday and Saturday. The Bulldogs will play both games with five players absent due to international competition preparations.

Why it matters

The absence of key players significantly impacts the team's depth as they face a high-ranked opponent early in the season. These roster adjustments require the remaining squad to adapt quickly against a top-tier collegiate rival.

The Bulldogs currently hold a 6-2 record in 2026. The team remains ranked 13th nationally entering their series against 2nd-ranked Minnesota.

The players

University of Minnesota Duluth

This public research university in Duluth maintains a Division I women's hockey program that has won multiple national championships.

University of Minnesota

Based in Minneapolis, this institution operates one of the most successful women's hockey programs in the United States.

The details

Players Eve Gascon, Caitlin Kraemer, Paulina Salonen, Tuuli Tallinen, and Ida Karlsson are currently attending national team camps for Canada, Finland, and Sweden. This departure for upcoming IIHF world championship activities leaves the program with its thinnest roster in history.

Friday at 6 p.m. marks the puck drop for the first game against Minnesota.
Saturday at 3 p.m. marks the puck drop for the second game against Minnesota.

Season Trajectory

The absence of five key players forces the Bulldogs to test their depth during a critical series against a top-two opponent. This stretch serves as a foundational period for the team as they look to integrate younger talent over the next three weeks.

The Bulldogs enter the weekend missing five core players, which will likely lead to increased ice time for the remainder of the roster. This matchup against the 2nd-ranked Gophers will test the team's ability to maintain their 6-2 record despite these personnel gaps.

The takeaway

Maintaining performance during international tournament windows is a common challenge for elite collegiate hockey programs. Coaches often use these periods to build team resilience and evaluate depth players who might otherwise see limited ice time.