UND recruit Christian Evers drafted by the London Knights

With the 99th overall pick, the London Knights are pleased to select Christian Evers in the 5th Round of the 2013 #OHLDraft!
— The London Knights (@GoLondonKnights) April 6, 2013

Being a high profile program, the University of North Dakota Hockey team has had some of their highly sought recruits decommit and go a different route.

It’s been highly documented as of late.

In August, right before the 2011-12 season, J.T. Miller decommitted from UND, and signed a signed with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League. Miller’s decommit put UND in a precarious situation. Without Miller, UND immediately became a different type of team.

In 61 games with the Plymouth Whalers, Miller scored (25g-37a—62). After his season with the Whalers was over, Miller played in eight games during the Calder Cup playoffs for the Connecticut Whale of the AHL.

This season, Miller was called up to the New York Rangers and scored two goals, leading the Rangers to a 4-1 victory.

Last January, USDT U18 recruit Stefan Matteau, who had originally committed to play at the University of North Dakota, decommitted from UND, and decided to play for the Blainville-Boisbraind Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Matteau had a strong start to the season with the Armada (18g-10a—28pts) in 35 games and was invited to the New Jersey Devils camp once the NHL lockout was settled.

Matteau ended up playing in the Devils first five games of the season before being a healthy scratch for the next four games in a row.

The New Jersey Devils could have sent Matteau back to Blainville-Boisbraind, but instead he remained with the New Jersey Devils and last night he was skating on a line with former Fighting Sioux forward Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk to start the game.

Matteau has played 17 games with the New Jersey Devils this season, scoring (1g-2a—3pts). On the March 17, 2013, Matteau was returned to his junior team Blainville-Boisbraind Armada and has scored (1g-4a—5pts) in 6 QMJHL playoff games.

In April of 2012, Miles Koules announced that he had decommitted from the University of North Dakota and was going to be a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. In his first season with Medicine Hat, Koules recorded (19g-21a—40pts) in 69 games for the Tigers.

This past November, Brendan Lemieux, son of former NHL pest Claude Lemieux, left the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, decomitted from the University of North Dakota, and decided to play with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. In 42 games with the Colts, Lemieux scored an unimpressive (6g-8a—14pts).

We’re not done yet!

UND has two other recruits that have been drafted by the OHL clubs. Nick Schmaltz brother of current defenseman Jordan Schmaltz was drafted by the Windsor Spitfires last spring. Nick has not ruled out going to the Spitfires.

Also, today, UND recruit Christian Evers was drafted in the 5th round by the London Knights in the OHL Draft. Lets just say, UND fans are a little worried, based on past experience, if Evers will ever make it to UND. Evers is an impressive kid who is 6’4” and 200 pounds who will turn 16 on May 25, 2013. So you have to think, that the London Knights, will be hard after Christian Evers, to sign with them.

Evers had an impressive year with the Omaha AAA Hockey Club 16U team, scoring (17g-42—59pts) in 67 games. Evers tweeted this on his twitter account today.  So, only time will tell.

Can't wait to be apart of UND in a few years. That's what I mean when I said "Can't wait for things to play out." #SorryForTheConfusion
— Christian Evers (@CEvers97) April 6, 2013

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

Related articles

• UND recruit Christian Evers drafted by the London Knights (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Recruit Evers Drafted by Knights (insidehockey.com)

Derek Forbort to sign with Kings soon

Source says Derek Forbort signing with Kings is imminent. Could happen as soon as today. Three-year deal.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 5, 2013

I don't think this is a big shock to any of us that follow the UND hockey team, first round draft choices don't usually stay more than two to three seasons. As Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman had said in a recent blog post, the Kings don't want to take the risk of losing their first round draft choice.


The Mass exodus continues in Minneapolis.

So far the Gophers have lost Alt, Bjugstad, Schmidt, Budish to the pros and Larson who is transferring out.… Haula is most likely next.
— GPL (@GopherPuckLive) April 5, 2013

Related articles

• Some interesting tweets from today - early departures and signings (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Dillon Simpson to return for his senior season

For the number of you who seem to think I may be planning on leaving UND, I'm not going anywhere #senioryear
— Dillon Simpson (@Simmer18) April 4, 2013

UND Hockey fans breathed a sigh of relief today, as they got some really good news, soon to be senior defenseman Dillon Simpson tweeted that he will return for his senior year on his twitter account today. I  would have to think that Simpson would be a good candidate to wear a letter for UND next season. Simpson was the leading point scorer for defensmen last season with (5g-19a—24pts). In 114 games at North Dakota Simpson has scored (9g-43a—52pts).

Related articles

• Goon's 2012-13 Blogger All-WCHA Awards Poll (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND vs. Niagara Lines West Region

UND vs. Niagara Lines West Region

UND’s Forward lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell – 10 Corban Knight (A) – 7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula– 27 Carter Rowney (A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi

29 Bryn Chyzyk – 16 Mark MacMillan – 15 Michael Parks

13 Connor Gaarder – 28 Steph Pattyn – 17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 18 Dillon Simpson

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

5 Nick Mattson – 20 Joe Gleason

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg

33 Clarke Saunders

35 Tate Maris

Not in lineup: 25 Mitch MacMillian, 8 Dan Senkbeil, 22 Andrew Panzarella, 11 Derek Rodwell, 26 Coltyn Sanderson.

UND vs. MTU game 1 WCHA playoffs

UND Forward Lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)
19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Carter Rowney (A)–15 Michael Parks
25 Mitch MacMillan–16 Mark MacMillan–13 Connor Gaarder
11 Derek Rodwell–28 Stephane Pattyn–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defensive Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C)–18 Dillon Simpson
4 Derek Forbort–24 Jordan Schmaltz
22 Andrew Panzarella–20 Joe Gleason

UND goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
35 Tate Maris

Not In the lineup: Nick Mattson (5), Dan Senkbeil (8), Drake Caggiula (9), Coltyln Sanderson (26),  Bryn Chyzyk (29).

Michigan Tech Huskies Forward lines

19 Blake Pietila–10 Tanner Kero–23 Alex Petan
12 Ryan Furne–8 Jacob Johnstone–14 Chad Pietila
15 David Johnstone–7 Jujhar Khaira–28 Milos Gordic
18 C.J. Eick–9 Dennis Rix–13 Aaron Pietila

Michigan Tech Huskies Defense Pairings

16 Steven Seigo (A) –34 Riley Sweeney
29 Walker Hyland–24 Daniel Sova
3 Bradley Stebner (A) –25 Carl Nielsen (C)

Michigan Tech Goalies

30 Jamie Phillips
31 Pheonix Copley

Refs:  Marco Hunt (15) , Derek Shepherd (3)  Lines Andy Kokken (70) Justin Hill (83).

Head of Officials Greg Shepherd is in the building

Related articles

• Goon's 2012-13 Blogger All-WCHA Awards Poll (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND hockey: Time for crunching numbers is over, it's crunch time (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND: The Weekend Ahead (3/15-3/17) (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 22 (insidehockey.com)

2012-13 Blogger All-WCHA Awards Poll (by Donn)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is how I voted on my ballot.

2012-13 Blogger All-WCHA Awards Poll

All-WCHA First Team
F – Danny Kristo (UND)
F – Erik Haula (UM)
F – Drew LeBlanc (SCSU)
D – Nate Schmidt (UM)
D – Joey LaLeggia (DU)
G – Adam Wilcox (UM)

All-WCHA Second Team

F – Corban Knight (UND)
F – Rylan Schwartz (CC)
F – Ryan Walters (UNO)
D – Nick Jensen (SCSU)
D – Mike Boivin (CC)
G – Joe Rumpel (UW)

All-WCHA Third Team

F – Matt Leitner (MSUM)
F – Ben Hanowski (SCSU)
F – Alex Petan (MTU)
D – Jake McCabe (UW)
D – Dillon Simpson (UND)
G – Zane Gothberg (UND)

All-WCHA Rookie Team

F – Rocco Grimaldi (UND)
F – Nic Kerdiles (UW)
F – Blake Tatchell (UAA)
D – Jordan Schmaltz (UND)
D – Nolan Zajac (DU)
G – Stephon Williams (MSUM)

WCHA Player of the Year – Danny Kristo (UND)

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year – Joey LaLeggia (DU)
WCHA Rookie of the Year – Rocco Grimaldi (UND)
WCHA Coach of the Year – Mike Hastings (MSUM)
*WCHA Goaltender of the Year will be the First Team Goaltender

UND and BSU slug out a 2-2 tie

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Grand Forks, ND – Tonight was senior night for six seniors and it’s an emotional time for all of them. Assistant captain Corban Knight showed up to the post-game press conference still wearing his home white and he was obviously choked up. When asked to explain his emotions, Corban Knight said this.

“Tough to explain – you know – putting something to a program for the last four years, it’s coming to an end, it’s tough to explain.

It was obvious; the tie didn’t sit well with the senior forward as he banged his stick on the ice as the clock ticked down the horn sounded, ending the game in a 2-2 tie. At times the Beavers kept the 12,117 fans (second most all-time) frustrated as well as the Beavers kept UND’s shots to the outside and protected their net blocking shot after shot.

When asked about his team’s tenacious shot blocking was a key to the game, Bemidji State Beavers head coach Tom Serratore said.

“You got to block shots,” Serratore said. “That’s hockey; that’s not a key, that’s automatic, that’s non-negotiable, that’s part of being a hockey player, that’s sacrifice.

The Bemidji State Beavers are a hard team to play against, they get in the shooting and they limit your time and space and they pack it in around their net. Tonight, was no different, throughout the game, the Beavers were in UND’s grill.

“It’s always tough to playing against those guys,” Corban Knight said. “The way they play, they really pack it in defensively. It’s a grind against those guys. That was definitely the case tonight. It was a hard fought 65 minutes; it was pretty low scoring hockey – not a lot of chances – it’s the way they play and it’s tough to play against.”

A late power play goal at the 08:37 mark of the third period by freshman defenseman Jordan Schmaltzhelped the University of North Dakota  (18-9-7, 13-6-7 WCHA)  salvage a 2-2 tie with the 11^th place Bemidji State Beavers (6-18-8, 5-14-7 WCHA).

After the game UND head coach Dave Hakstol seem pleased with the effort of his team.

“One point, great performance,” Hakstol said.  “High level of pride for our senior class”

Freshman defenseman Jordan Schmaltz scored at the 08:37 mark of the third period to force the extra session. Schmaltz has been very noticeable on the ice the last 4-5 series and coach Hakstol agreed.

“I think his game took a step about a month ago,” Hakstol said. He’s held it as a pretty good level. I think the challenge for him is no different than it is for the rest of our team, we want to take one more step yet in terms of our over-all performance.”

It was obvious from the replay in the press box that Jordan Schmaltz had scored the game tying goal but the on ice official Brad Shepherd waved the goal off on the ice. After a short review, the goal was confirmed. Tie game. 

“I got a pass from Carter Rowney and kind of made one quick move,” Schmaltz said. “Was lucky to get it on net, it went post and in”

Next weekend, UND travels to Mankato to play the Minnesota State Mavericks in an important two game series, that will go a long way in determining who UND plays during their first round of the WCHA playoffs.

CONFIRMED: UND has officially clinched home ice for the first round of the WCHA playoffs. — North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 3, 2013

Related articles

• MacMillian (X2) lead UND past BSU 4-2 (thehockeywriters.com)
• Lamoureux Twins Leave UND in Good Hands (insidehockey.com)
• Lamoureux Sisters Lasso Mavericks (insidehockey.com)

Red Baron WCHA Offensive Player of the Week Carter Rowney • Senior, Forward, University of North Dakota

MADISON, Wis. – Veteran University of North Dakota forward Carter Rowney, who contributed five scoring points and had a game-winning goal as his team took three of four points from league-leading and visiting Denver last weekend, is the Red Baron® WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for Dec. 11.

A 6-2 208-pound senior center from Sexsmith, Alberta, Rowney scored three goals and set up two others, had four shots on goal and earned a +3 plus/minus rating as North Dakota stretched its unbeaten streak to three and improved to 8-5-3 overall. He had career-high four points (2g, 2a) in last Saturday’s (Dec. 8) 6-3 victory over the Pioneers, including the game-winning goal and his first career shorthanded goal to earn Second Star of the Game honors. Three of his four points came in the second period, enabling UND to erase a 1-0 deficit, as he set up Derek Forbort’s go-ahead power-play goal early in the second period, then scored his two goals eight minutes apart to build a 4-1 lead. In the 2-2 (ot) tie in the series opener last Friday (Dec. 7), Rowney scored a goal to snap a seven-game drought, won 11 of 18 face-offs (61.1%), and was a +1. In 15 games this season, Rowney has 11 points (5g, 6a).

Also nominated: Rylan Schwartz, F, CC; Chris Knowlton, F, DU; Tom Serratore, F, UM; Eriah Hayes, F, MSU; Matt White, F, UNO.

DU vs. UND lines game 2

UND’s Forward lines

16 Mark MacMillan–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula –27 Carter Rowney (A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi

21 Brendan O’Donnell– 17 Colten St. Clair –13 Connor Gaarder

8 Daniel Senkbeil – 28 Steph Pattyn––11 Derek Rodwell

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – Andrew Panzarella  22

18 Dillon Simpson–20 Joe Gleason

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND Goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg

Not in lineup: Michael Parks – 15 (injury), 29 Bryn Chyzyk  , Coltyn Sanderson – 26, Nick Mattson– 5.

Referees: Marco Hunt, Derek Shepherd

Assistant Referees: Nathan Freeman, Justin Hills

Denver Pioneers Forward Lines

11 Chris Knowlton–23 Nick Shore–19 Daniel Doremus
12 Ty Loney–26 Shawn Ostrow–39 Grant Arnold
9 Gabe Levin–27 Quentin Shore–25 Matt Tabrum
17 Garrett Allen

Denver Pioneers Defensive pairings

6 Dakota Mermis–7 Paul Phillips
21 Joey LaLeggia–2 Scott Mayfield
8 Nolan Zajac–10 David Makowski

Denver Goalies

1 Sam Brittain

31 Juho Olkinuora
33 Adam Murray

Related articles

• UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/7-12/8) (thehockeywriters.com)
• Shot Charts game one DU and UND (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

DU and UND lines games 1

UND’s Forward lines

16 Mark MacMillan–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula –27 Carter Rowney (A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi

21 Brendan O’Donnell– 17 Colten St. Clair –13 Connor Gaarder

8 Daniel Senkbeil – 28 Steph Pattyn––11 Derek Rodwell

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 5 Nick Mattson

18 Dillon Simpson–20 Joe Gleason

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND goalies 

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg

Not in lineup: Michael Parks – 15 (injury), 29 Bryn Chyzyk  , Coltyn Sanderson – 26, Andrew Panzarella – 22.

Referees: Marco Hunt, Derek Shepherd

Assistant Referees: Nathan Freeman, Justin Hills

Denver Pioneers Forward Lines

11 Chris Knowlton–23 Nick Shore–19 Daniel Doremus
12 Ty Loney–26 Shawn Ostrow–39 Grant Arnold
9 Gabe Levin–27 Quentin Shore–25 Matt Tabrum
17 Garrett Allen

Denver Pioneers Defensive pairings

6 Dakota Mermis–7 Paul Phillips
21 Joey LaLeggia–2 Scott Mayfield
8 Nolan Zajac–10 David Makowski

Denver Pioneer Goalies

31 Juho Olkinuora
1 Sam Brittain
33 Adam Murray

Related articles

• UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/7-12/8) (thehockeywriters.com)

UND and ND highlights from Saturday's game

Here are some of the highlights from Saturday's game between UND and Notre Dame. Obviously,  UND lost the game  5-2 and I  am sure that Zane Gothberg would like to have a few of those shots back, especially the two that were from the top of the faceoff circle, but UND did manage to play some pretty good hockey in the third period.

Also, Mark MacMillan's goal in the second period was a thing of beauty. Notice after goal Notre Dame Defenseman Stephen Johns trips up Mark MacMillan who ends up falling into the end boards after he has already scored the goal. Then for good measure the ND defenseman crosschecks Danny Kristo in the face when he comes to confront Johns about the questionable play.

UND: The Weekend Ahead (11/23-11/24)

Seal of the University of North Dakota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The University of North Dakota travels to South Bend, Indiana to play Notre Dame in a two game nonconference series at Compton Family Ice Arena on November 23 and 24.

North Dakota (5-3-1, 3-1-2 WCHA) #7 USCHO and #7 USA Today Polls versus Notre Dame #6 USCHO and #6 USA Today Poll (8-3-0, 5-1-0 WCHA).

Game times: 6:37 pm CT on Friday, 4:07 pm CT on Saturday.

Radio:  UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast and Audio:  UNDSPORTS.COM  and UND.COM

TV: None

Series History: All-Time:  The series is tied 16-16-3.  Against the Fighting Irish in Grand Forks, UND leads the series with a record of 10-7-1 (.583). Notre Dame holds a 6-9-1 record against UND (.406). At neutral sites UND has a 0-0-1 record against Notre Dame (.500). In the last 10 games against Notre Dame UND holds a 6-1-3 record (.750).

Players to Watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Danny Kristo (4g-8a—12pts), Rocco Grimaldi (4g-3a—7pts), Connor Gaarder (3g-4a—7pts), Mark MacMillan (5g-4a—9pts), Corbin Knight (2g-6a—8pts), Carter Rowney (2g-2a—5pts). Defense: Jordan Schmaltz (1g1a—2pts) Dillon Simpson (1g-3a—4pts), Andrew MacWilliam (1g-2a—3pts), Derek Forbort (3g-3a—6pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 3-2-2, 2.24 GAA, .927 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 2-1-0, 2.63 GAA, .902 save percentage.

Notre Dame: Forwards: Anders Lee (5g-4a—9pts), Bryan Rust (3g-5a—8pts), Jeff Costello (3g-3a—6pts), T.J. Tynan (2g-3—5pts).  Defense: Robbie Russo (4g-3a—7pts), Steven Johns (0g-7a—7pts), Goaltenders: Steve Summerhays 7-3-0, 1.51 GAA, .939 save percentage.

UND Official Web Page

Notre Dame Official Web Page

Notre Dame Sports Blog 

Originally Posted at The Hockey Writers - Combine. 

Jordan Schmaltz hit on Drew Leblanc

I have had a few requests from readers to put video on-line so why not... I personally can see how the call on UND freshman defenseman Jordan Schmaltz was given a five minute major and a game missconduct. That being said, the refs aren't calling this equally. I don't know how many times this season already a UND player was crunched into boards from behind and the hit was worse than the one on the video and the offending player only got a two minute penalty.

Some fans are wondering why wasn't the Huskies forward Joey Holka given a major penalty for checking Dillon Simpson from behind at the 16:56 mark of the second period? I think both hits are very similar... That's what I have a problem with, there is no consistency in the referee's calls.  I think that is all the fans ask.

Related articles

• UND vs. SCSU Series Notes (11/9-11/10) (thehockeywriters.com)

11/10 Post Game Wrapup: SCSU 5, UND 2 (RW77)

This was night and day from yesterday.  The Huskies looked pretty good but fairly flat on Friday.  Tonight, they came out roaring in the first period and UND, honestly, was lucky to escape the first period knotted at one.

The big calls in the first period were the no-goal on Stephane Pattyn and the Checking from Behind on Schmaltz.  First, the no-goal.  I actually got the webcast tonight and I saw it.  What I saw was one of the most incredible saves I've ever seen.  No one could believe that Pattyn's open net shot didn't go in except Farragher and the goal judge.  They did a lengthy review and judged it no goal.  I saw the replays and the call was 100% correct.

13 seconds from the end of the period, UND Freshman Jordan Schmaltz checked Drew Leblanc from behind into the sideboards.  The hit was not very violent and Leblanc's head did not hit the boards very hard (it appeared to hit forearm first).  Nevertheless, the refs HAD to call it as checking from behind.  The ironic part is that Don Adam called the penalty that he played a key role in creating.

Second Period and Third Period

The second period saw one of the worst periods of UND hockey this season.  It started out well, with UND killing off the five minute major.  However, after that, Drew Leblanc scored two straight goals and UND started a parade to the box culminating with Coach Hakstol getting a 2 minute minor for misconduct for trying to talk to Don Adam after the period had ended.  This probably resulted from a rather dubious embellishment call on Danny Kristo after being tripped.

The Third period only differed from the second period by the fact that the scoreboard said the number "3" where the number "2" was in the second period.  SCSU was all over the ice with crisp passing and just unlucky bounces and some timely saves by Saunders preventing it becoming a laugher.  It was even close until 6 minutes into the third when Garrett Milan (SCSU) got a rather weak goal on Saunders.  We did try a little bit but no good came of it. With 2:30 left in the game, Saunders let a point shot get past him and that's all she wrote.

The Goaltending

Again, Roller Coaster... sortof.  If you are Ryan Farragher, then it was a roller coaster that never seemed to go down the slope.  It just climbed the hill and stayed at the top.  Saunders really had a bad night for the most part..  The first goal SCSU scored he didn't see.  The third goal was a tic tac toe Power Play goal.  The final goal was a point shot.  Can't blame him much for those.  However, the second and the fourth goals were WEAK.  On the second goal, the puck came right to him after making two great saves and he paddled the puck right to Leblanc's stick blade.  Goal.  The fourth went five hole and just seemed to slowly inch past the red line.

 I'm also not sure if Gothberg would have done any better.  I don't blame Hakstol for going with the hot hand, but just like Saturday vs. BU, UND lost this game because they didn't play solid fundamental hockey for 60 minutes.  The thing that made it worse than the BU loss is that UND never even had one solid period of good hockey tonight.  They played ok in the first and got worse and worse as the game progressed.

So I guess Saunders played pretty well, and even Saunders at his best wouldn't have prevented UND from losing, but a game going into the end of the 3rd period down 3-2 looks much differently than entering the final minute down 5-2. 

The officiating

Roller coaster city.  They actually were doing a pretty decent job until the second period when they started missing calls and making bad calls.  The first call I recall was when they missed a pretty overt slashing call that Corbin Knight committed on Ethan Prow.  They made up for it by calling a weak version of it on Mark MacMillan.  He stick checked an SCSU player and the player waited a full second before dropping the stick.  No matter.  The next thing you know, Danny Kristo gets tripped and gets called for embellishment when he did not act like he was shot.  He slid along the ice before getting up and finding out he's sitting two.  The third period starts and UND actually does legitimately slash an SCSU stick and no call.  What awful calling.

Why UND lost

Top 3 reasons:
1.  Sloppy passing.  UND cannot pass even to open guys.  SCSU can.  It was AMAZING to watch.  It got to the point where SCSU didn't even have to clog the lanes, UND did it for them!  I cannot remember worse passing.  They couldn't set anything up because UND kept missing the puck. 
2.  Races to the puck.  UND was out skated all night long.
3.  Corners.  SCSU won almost ALL the battles along the boards.

This was one of the worst played games UND has played this season.  I'm glad this seems anomalous because if it wasn't, UND is going to lose... A LOT.

The America One Webcast

This is the Webcast company SCSU went through for the game.  I'm not sure if it is NESN camera work or what but this webcast's quality was FAR FAR superior to that of the UND Webcast.  The oddity?  SCSU's commentators weren't as big of a homer than I thought they would.  The only negative is that they didn't do their legwork.  They never figured out how to pronounce our players' names (like Rowney's for example). 

My 3 stars:

Third Star:  Joe Rehkamp (SCSU) - He wasn't talked about much during the game on the SCSU broadcast but he is credited with 3 assists on the night.  Not too shabby.

Second Star:  Ryan Farragher (SCSU) - Hard not to give him the first star.  He probably is 1a in this list.  He made some great saves including the best save of the season off of Pattyn's shot in the first period, but despite it looking otherwise, he wasn't really overtaxed in net tonight.

First Star:  Drew Leblanc (SCSU) - 2 goals 1 assist.  He was all over the place tonight.

Honorable Mentions:  Derek Forbort and Drake Caggiula (both acquitted themselves pretty well tonight), Nick Oliver (SCSU), Cory Thorson (SCSU)

EDIT:  I should add:  I am not saying the world is coming to an end.  Nor am I saying Fire Hakstol or that this team isn't special.  I'm saying this was one of the hardest games to watch because of how poorly we played and how much better I know we are capable of playing.