COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — When you see someone on the fourth line and don’t necessarily expect to see that player on the power play or penalty kill (for now), it’s easy to perhaps downplay said player’s presence in the lineup.
But the return of Harper Bentz is no small deal for UMD. The sophomore from Moorhead was a healthy scratch in the Bulldogs’ season opener, Oct. 3 at Alaska, before drawing in the next night. He scored a goal in his season debut, then suffered an injury on a collision in the third period that kept him out for 13 straight games.
His return bolsters a bottom six that has struggled to consistently generate offensive zone time in recent weeks, which led to UMD’s coaches putting those lines in a blender last weekend against Omaha. It also bolsters the competition for playing time in this lineup, which was already pretty good and only improves.
Bentz is the kind of player who can slot in a lot of different places. Remember, when Max Plante was out injured and again at the World Juniors last season, Bentz got time with Zam Plante and Jayson Shaugabay. Bentz had a three-point game New Year’s Eve in Bemidji, helping propel UMD to a 4-2 win.
He’ll start out on the fourth line in his return. Don’t be shocked to see him earn more ice as he gets his feet back underneath him.
Hunter Anderson will come out of the lineup to make room for Bentz.
Adam Gajan vs Kaidan Mbereko.
Lines?
Lines.
UMD forwards
Plante (Max) – Plante (Zam) – Shaugabay
Truman – Gaffney – Arnott
Bibby – Shlaine – Bechen
Zaremba – Kovich – Bentz
UMD defense
Hanson – Kleber
Pionk – Pierce
Cleveland – Siepmann
Bodnarchuk
UMD goalies
Gajan – Dahlmeir – Sheffield
Colorado College forwards
Bjorck – Beckner – Link
Mrsic – Veinbergs – Lindberg
Lisowsky – Schuurman – Montgomery
Alexander – Hvidston – Stuart
Colorado College defense
Scott – Roberts
Koering – Constance
Blais-Savoie – Mann
Baer
Colorado College goalies
Mbereko – Unger – Dempsey
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