The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey team departs for UMass Lowell on Thursday ahead of their road opening series this weekend.

While the Bulldogs dropped their season opener to Bemidji State University Saturday, falling 4-3 in overtime in Duluth, they won big in exhibition play Sunday downing the University of Manitoba 7-2. Throughout the weekend UMD learned a lot about their new players and new lines.

“I just like that we got everybody in. Got a look in two different type games, but even Sunday we generated a lot. Got some different guys contributing offensively, and got a lot of work to do defensively, and taking care of pucks, and managing games better. But that’s expected early in the year,” head coach Scott Sandelin said.

“It was great finally playing some game, even though it was just exhibition, but it was like the first college game. So hopefully I’ll play real game this weekend, but it felt great to play a game,” Adam Gajan said, a freshman goalie from Slovakia.

However, already one of their strongest lines, that produced all three goals Saturday, has been broken up.

Max Plante suffered an upper body injury against Bemidji, and per head coach Scott Sandelin, is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. The freshman from Hermantown registered two assists in his collegiate debut against the Beavers. He shared a line with his older brother Zam Plante, and Jayson Shaugabay.

UMD and UMass Lowell face-off Friday at 6:15 p.m. and Saturday at 5:05 p.m. at Tsongas Center.