UND defenseman Joe Gleason found it fitting.
Mark MacMillan utilizing his speed for a goal and brother Mitch MacMillan relying on his strong shot for another goal.
"Funny how it works out that way," Gleason said. "That's both their strengths."
The complementary chemistry of the MacMillan brothers played a key role in UND's 4-1 win over Bemidji State on Friday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
It was a big night for the third line. Sophomore Mark MacMillan had his second-straight three-point night with two goals and an assist, while junior Mitch MacMillan had a goal and an assist.
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When Mitch became eligible at the semester break, a year after transferring from St. Cloud State, UND hoped the two brothers could rekindle some of the magic the two created in the British Columbia Hockey League during the 2009-10 season.
Playing for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Mitch scored 61 goals and added 32 assists, while Mark registered 26 goals and 54 assists. The two finished first and second on the team in scoring. To put those eye-popping numbers in some perspective, the team's third-leading scorer -- David Dziurzynski -- recently made his NHL debut for the Ottawa Senators.
"Obviously the college game is different than juniors, but we were good together tonight and hopefully that can continue," Mark MacMillan said.
Both MacMillan goals were pivotal. Mark scored 15 seconds after Bemidji State took a 1-0 lead early in the second period. The rebound goal saw the first assist go to Mitch.
Then in the third period, Mark returned the favor by feeding Mitch on a rush. Skating on the left wing, Mitch sniped the top left corner of the net for a 2-1 UND lead.
"Our chemistry is starting to come back more and more every game," Mitch said.
Mitch scored his third goal of the season.
"He had time and space going in and Mark made a nice play to draw the defender," UND coach Dave Hakstol said. "Mitch made no mistake. He didn't have a lot of room, but he made no mistake. He does that well.
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We see that day after day in practice."
After the two key goals, Mark wasn't finished. Leading 2-1 with 5 minutes, 50 seconds left in the third period, UND goalie Clarke Saunders had a shot trickle behind him dangerously close to a goal.
But Mark rushed behind Saunders and was able to clear the puck and avoid a tie game.
The aware play defensively stopped any potential Bemidji State momentum and moments later Gleason scored to push UND's lead to 3-1.
Mark was rewarded for his efforts late in the third period when an unselfish play by Rocco Grimaldi set up Mark for an empty-net goal -- his 12th of the season.
"I think Mark has played two really good, sound games in a row now in both directions," Hakstol said. "Saturday night in Denver, I thought there was a different pace to his game. I thought he had that tonight, too. Mitch is part of that and so is (Connor) Gaarder."
