UND 2012-13 hockey season post-mortem

For UND hockey fans, the end of every season is always tough, especially for the last 13 years.  UND hockey fans don’t take losing well and UND hockey is a way of life, much like football is in Nebraska or Texas.

But I digress.

If you would have asked me how I thought this year would have ended, I would have said anything is possible including this ending.  Although, I was thinking that the Green and White’s season would have ended in a trip to Pittsburgh, PA culminating in their eighth NCAA title.

I thought this team had the “potential” to take it all the way to Pittsburgh, but in the last month, those expectations were quietly dampened as they had trouble getting sweeps against the likes of Bemidji State and Michigan Tech.

This year’s team was hard to put a finger on.  They never really clicked defensively or offensively.

The coaching staff was still messing around with line combinations up until the end of the season. Some of that was a result of UND’s incredible depth this season. There was also, for the most part, no major injuries so there were many combinations to play with.

Players that played poorly on the ice found themselves sitting in the stands the next game.

There never seemed to be a lot of great chemistry among the forward lines except for the top line and the energy line.

A great hockey mind told me earlier in the season; that if your team is still screwing around with the forward lines in late January, your season wasn’t going last very long. Hum…those words of wisdom, now proved to be very true. It’s not really rocket science per see, but it’ makes a lot of sense. Just seems like there was no continuity to this hockey team.

This year’s team never really had that killer instinct, they never seemed to have to have ability to put a team away and they had a propensity to let bad teams hang around longer than they should have.

That being said, this team wasn’t a bunch of talentless hacks either.

The 2012-13 version of the UND hockey team was still a pretty decent hockey team that at times looked like they could beat the best teams in the country and played one of the toughest schedules in the country.  They didn’t rack up 22 wins playing the weak sisters of the poor.

On the negative side of things, UND had two league sweeps all season long, UNO and MTU and both of these sweeps were on the road. UND swept one team at home, and that was nonconference foe Holy Cross.

The 2012-13 UND hockey team finished with a 22-13-7 record and also finished one win away from sharing the McNaughton Cup with Minnesota and Saint Cloud State.

Let this one sink in for you, this is the first time in 10 years that the UND hockey team isn’t going to go to the Frozen Four or win a Broadmoor Trophy or McNaughton Cup.  I didn’t even realize this until I read Brad Schlossman’s post game report in the Grand Forks Herald.

There are going to be those that will say that this UND hockey team didn’t meet expectations. There will be others that will say that this team lacked grit and heart.

Secondary scoring was an issue with this team and after Danny Kristo (26-g-26a—52pts), Corban Knight (16g-33a—49pts) and Rocco Grimaldi (13g-23a—36pts), there was a drop off of in scoring after the top line.

Next season, the junior class of Mark MacMillan (13g-12a—25pts) and Michael Parks (7g-1a—8pts) along with Roco Grimaldi are going to be expected to lead the way for UND.  Michael Parks was slowed this season by an injury and he never really seemed to regain his rhythm that he had from the previous season.

Fire Hakstol

As always, expectations are pretty high, especially when your team resides in Grand Forks, North Dakota, almost to a point of fanaticism. When the season ends prematurely without a NCAA title, some in the fan base begin to call for the coach’s head.

I can tell you right now that there is zero chance that head coach Dave Hakstol gets fired, he’s not going anywhere.  Not going to happen, first-off Hakstol just signed a long term deal and you would require a very big buy out.  If I had to guess, a buyout it’s in the $800,000.00 – $1,000,000.00, so no, coach Hakstol is going anywhere, unless someone is going to step forward to write the University of North Dakota a huge check and I don’t see that happening.  Nor am I suggesting that this should it happen.  The next quesition would be, who do you replace him with? Replacing him doesn’t mean the program succeeds either.

Lastly, Dave Hakstol is a very good hockey coach and has done a good job with the UND hockey program.  UND just won 20 plus games for the ninth year in a row and I think it’s just a matter of time before he leads UND to a national title. Then the naysayers will be running to catch up with the Hakstol bandwagon.

Cross-Posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

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. C.C. lines Final Five

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

Drake Caggiula 9–28 Stephane Pattyn–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defensive Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C)–18 Dillon Simpson
4 Derek Forbort–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson –20 Joe Gleason

UND goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg
35 Tate Maris

Not In the lineup: 11 Derek Rodwell , Andrew Panzarella (22), Dan Senkbeil (8), Coltyln Sanderson (26),  Bryn Chyzyk (29).

Colorado College’s Tigers forward lines

16 Alexander Krushelnyski–13 Rylan Schwartz (A)–17 Charlie Taft
12 Archie Skalbeck–25 Scott Winkler–27 William Rapuzzin (C) 
11 Hunter Fejes–10 Cody Bradley–15 Andrew Hamburg
22 Peter Maric–21 Jeff Collett–24 Jared Hanson

Colorado College Tigers defense pairings

6 Peter Stoykewych–28 Mike Boivin
5 Aaron Harstad–7 Eamonn McDermott
20 Ian Young–4 Joe Marciano

Colorado College Tiger goalies

31 Joe Howe
39 Josh Thorimbert
29 Courtney Lockwood

Referees: Don Adam, Timm Walsh Linesmen: Nick Bradshaw (94), Sam Shikowsky (81)

UND vs. MTU game three WCHA playoffs

Game is on DirecTV 626 and Fox College Sports

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

Drake Caggiula 9–28 Stephane Pattyn–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defensive Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C)–18 Dillon Simpson
4 Derek Forbort–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson –20 Joe Gleason

UND goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg
35 Tate Maris

Not In the lineup: 11 Derek Rodwell , Andrew Panzarella (22), Dan Senkbeil (8), 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
20 Blake Hietala–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

31 Pheonix Copley

30 Jamie Phillips

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

UND vs. BSU game two lines

UND’s Forward lines

19 Rocco Grimaldi –10 Corban Knight (A) – 7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula– 27 Carter Rowney (A) –15 Michael Parks

25 Mitch MacMilliam – 16 Mark MacMillan – 13 Connor Gaarder

11 Derek Rodwell – 28 Steph Pattyn –17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 18 Dillon Simpson

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

Nick Mattson –20 Joe Gleason

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg

33 Clarke Saunders

35 Tate Maris

Not in lineup:  29 Bryn Chyzyk , 21 Brendan O’Donnell, 8 Dan Senkbeil , 26 Coltyn Sanderson, 22 Andrew Panzarella

Bemidji State Beaver Forward lines

7 Brance Orban–12 Jeff Jubinville–4 David Boehm
28 Jordan George–14 Aaron McLeod (A) –9 Ben Kinne (C)
18 Radoslav Illo–13 Cory Ward–16 Danny Mattson
23 Markus Gerbrandt–27 Mitch Cain–29 Phil Brewer

Bemidji State Defense Pairings

8 Jake Areshenko (A)–25 Brady Wacker
22 Matt Prapavessis (A) –5 Matt Carlson
20 Sam Rendle–15 Sam Windle

Beaver Goalies

30 Andrew Walsh
35 Mathieu Dugas

Referees: Todd Anderson, Brad Shepherd. Linesmen: Andy Dokken, Justin Hills.

UND vs. BSU game one lines

UND’s Forward lines

19 Rocco Grimaldi –10 Corban Knight (A) – 7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula– 27 Carter Rowney (A) –15 Michael Parks

25 Mitch MacMilliam – 16 Mark MacMillan – 13 Connor Gaarder

11 Derek Rodwell – 28 Steph Pattyn –17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 18 Dillon Simpson

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

Nick Mattson –20 Joe Gleason

UND Goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg

35 Tate Maris

Not in lineup:  29 Bryn Chyzyk , 21 Brendan O’Donnell, 8 Dan Senkbeil , 26 Coltyn Sanderson, 22 Andrew Panzarella

Bemidji State Beaver Forward lines

7 Brance Orban–12 Jeff Jubinville–4 David Boehm
28 Jordan George–14 Aaron McLeod (A) –9 Ben Kinne (C)
18 Radoslav Illo–13 Cory Ward–16 Danny Mattson
23 Markus Gerbrandt–27 Mitch Cain–29 Phil Brewer

Bemidji State Defense Pairings

8 Jake Areshenko (A)–25 Brady Wacker
22 Matt Prapavessis (A) –11 Graeme McCormack
20 Sam Rendle–15 Sam Windle

Beaver Goalies

30 Andrew Walsh
35 Mathieu Dugas

Referees: Todd Anderson, Brad Shepherd. Linesmen: Andy Dokken, Justin Hills.

Taking a second look at the Michael Parks wrap around goal

This is one of my favorite goals in all of hockey and to pull it off, the players have to be talented, and they have to be fast on their skates, to make it happen. If you watch the play in question, it’s like a football play, where the quarterback throws the ball to a set area, and the receiver runs to that area and catches the ball, for a touchdown.

Mark MacMillan shots the puck around the Denver the net, the goalie reacts to it. Michael Parks picks up that pass, catches the goalie and the Denver defense sleeping and puts the puck in the net before the goalie can get back to his right post. 

If only the sophomore forward Michael Parks hadn’t been hurt to start the season. I just think that he's getting to his mid-season form now. Last season, Carter Rowney, Mark MacMillan and Michael Parks comprised the RPM line and they wrecked-havoc on teams. 

You have to love the expression on Denver goalie Sam Brittain, you can tell that he’s not happy with that goal. 

Related articles

• North Dakota Stomps Wisconsin (insidehockey.com)
• (Video) Brendan O'Donnell goal that was waved off. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND vs. UNO Battle on Ices @6:07 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Knight's Four Points Leads UND Past Holy Cross (insidehockey.com)

UND vs. UNO Battle on Ices @6:07

North Dakota Forward Lines

19 Rocco Grimaldi–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)
9 Drake Caggiula–27 Carter Rowney (A)–15 Michael Parks
25 Mitch MacMillan–16 Mark MacMillan–17 Colten St. Clair
8 Dan Senkbeil–28 Stephane Pattyn–11 Derek Rodwell

North Dakota Defense Pairings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C)–18 Dillon Simpson
4 Derek Forbort–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–20 Joe Gleason

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Nebraska-Omaha Forward Lines

23 Searfoss – 21 White (A)– 13 Raubenheimer
17 Walters – 14 Zombo – 15 Archibald
9 Polk – 25 Gwidt (C) – 28 O’Rourke
4 Turgeon - 27 Pearce – 19 Lane

Nebraska-Omaha Defense Pairings

8 Megna – 3 Sustr
2 Cooper – 24 Aneloski
11 Seeler – 7 Young

Nebraska-Omaha Goalies

30 John Faulkner (A)

29 Dayn Belfour

Refs: Don Adam, Todd Anderson

Linesmen: Chad Evers, Scott Fitzpatrick 

Scratches: 10 Simonson; 12 Montpetit; 16 Krause; 18 Adams; 22 Schmit
Omaha lines supplied by Radio Free Omaha. 

CONFIRMED: The broadcast will remain on Midco channels 27 and 622. The SDSU WBB game will instead be moved to channel 323.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) February 9, 2013

The UND Hockey game originally scheduled to air at 4pm has been delayed to 6PM. The SDSU women's bb game will be on MidcoSN channel 323
— Midco Sports Net (@MidcoSportsNet) February 9, 2013

The sun and warm temperatures have caused havoc with the ice. The delay will allow the rink to be fully shaded by game time.
— UNO Athletics (@omavs) February 9, 2013

UND vs. UNO game one lines

North Dakota Forward Lines

19 Rocco Grimaldi–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)
9 Drake Caggiula–27 Carter Rowney (A)–15 Michael Parks
25 Mitch MacMillan–16 Mark MacMillan–17 Colten St. Clair
8 Dan Senkbeil–28 Stephane Pattyn–11 Derek Rodwell

North Dakota Defense Pairings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C)–18 Dillon Simpson
4 Derek Forbort–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–20 Joe Gleason

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Nebraska-Omaha Forward Lines

11 Nick Seeler–14 Dominic Zombo–21 Matt White (A)
23 Johnnie Searfoss–25 Brent Gwidt (C) –28 Brian O’Rourke
17 Ryan Walters–15 Josh Archibald–13 Zahn Raubenheimer
19 Tanner Lane–27 Aaron Pearce–22 Andrew Schmit

Nebraska-Omaha Defense Pairings

8 Jaycob Megna–3 Andrej Sustr
2 Brian Cooper–24 Bryce Aneloski
4 Tony Turgeon–7 Michael Young

Nebraska-Omaha Goalies

29 Dayn Belfour
30 John Faulkner (A)

Refs: Don Adam, Todd Anderson
Linesmen: Chad Evers, Scott Fitzpatrick 

North Dakota stomps Wisconsin 4-1

Grand Forks, ND – The Wisconsin Badgers came into tonight’s game smoking hot, the Badgers had one loss (Miami) since November 24, 2012. During that same time frame, the Badgers had an impressive record of 10-1-4 (.800).

Coming into the game, North Dakota was a team going the other direction. The Green and White hadn’t won in five games (0-2-3), and they were looking for their first win since January 12, 2012.

Historically, North Dakota is known for their impressive second half records after the first of the year.  So far during the second half of this season, UND’s record is a mediocre 3-3-2.

With the win tonight, that streak would improve to 4-3-3. Also, with the win, UND was also able to stop a five game winless streak (0-2-3).

Tonight, North Dakota wasted no time getting on the board as freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi drew a penalty 30 second into the game.

UND would cash in on the power-play with a goal from Mark MacMillan 15 seconds later. That was MacMillan’s ninth goal of the season.  Assisting on MacMillan’s goal was Rocco Grimaldi and Jordan Schmaltz.

Twelve minutes later, North Dakota would push the lead to 2-0 with another power-play goal by Joe Gleason. Drawing the assists on Gleason’s goal were Danny Kristo and Corban Knight.  With the assist, Kristo scored his 144^th point of his career tying him with former fighting Sioux forward Jay Panzer, Jim Archibald and Jeff McLean.

After the game, UND Head coach Dave Hakstol talked about the importance of getting those two power play goals early in the game.

“I thought the first power play goal was key,” Hakstol said. “The second one was nice to get at as well. But bigger than that for me was the penalty kill that we had right back-to-back with our first power play goal.”

UND would push the score to 4-0, with two even strength goals, eight minutes apart from Sophomore Michael Parks.

After the game, Michael Parks’ line mate Carter Rowney, who assisted on both of Park’s goals, was excited to see him bury a few goals.

“I was really excited for Parks to get a couple few goals tonight,” Rowney said.  “Since we have been playing with each other we’ve been a little snake bitten. We’ve had our opportunities, but it wasn’t coming, but I think we tried to stick with it and tried to stay loose around the net. It was lucky enough to come in today.”

One Michael Parks’ goals came on a wraparound goal. This is what the sophomore forward had to say about his highlight goal.

“Oh finally,” Parks said. “A bit of a relief I think if anything – good play by Rowney – put it off the pad and it was really easy with the goalie being on the other side of the net.”

UW would great the shutout with a goal from Wisconsin junior forward Mark Zengerle at the 13:30 mark of the third period.

That was all of the scoring the rest of the way.

UND was strong defensively all weekend long, as the UND back end only give up two goals all weekend long. UND has only give up

“I would give us defensively, I would give us a B-plus,” Hakstol said. “I thought we were pretty responsible. Last night we created some of our own problems. On two or three occasions in a tight game like that, two or three opportunities against is a big deal. I thought we did little things well. I thought it was a weekend where we blocked shots well, which is something that we have been working to be better at. I liked that area of our game. I liked our over-all commitment to the defensive side“

Cross Posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine... 

UND vs. UW lines game two

North Dakota Forward Lines

19 Rocco Grimaldi–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula  –27 Carter Rowney (A)–15 Michael Parks
25 Mitch MacMillan – 16 Mark MacMillan - 17 Colten St. Clair

8 Dan Senkbeil–28 Stephane Pattyn– Derek Rodwell

North Dakota Defense Pairings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 18 Dillon Simpson

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

Nick Mattson – 20 Joe Gleason

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg

33 Clarke Saunders

35 Tate Maris

Not in the lineup: 13 Connor Gaarder, 29 Bryn Chyzyk, 22 Andrew Panzarella, 26 Coltyn Sanderson, 21 Brendan O’Donnell

WCHA Officials: Referees: Tom Sterns (8), Matt Ulwelling (23), Linesman: Andy Carton (92), Nathan Freeman (78).

Wisconsin Badgers Forward Lines

16 Joseph LaBate–9 Mark Zengerle–25 Michael Mersch
17 Nic Kerdiles–14 Jefferson Dahl–7 Tyler Barnes
20 Ryan Little (A)–21 Brendan Woods–18 Sean Little
26 Brad Navin–12 Keegan Meuer–8 Matt Pappe

Wisconsin Badgers Defense Parings

28 Kevin Schulze–55 John Ramage (C)
22 Eddie Wittchow - 24 Joe Faust

19 Jake McCabe–27 Frankie Simonelli (A)

Wisconsin Badgers Goalies

30 Landon Peterson

33 Joel Rumpel

Kristo's assist was his 144th career point, tying him with Jay Panzer, Jim Archibald and Jeff McLean for 28th all-time at UND.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) February 3, 2013

UND vs. UW lines game one

North Dakota Forward Lines

7 Danny Kristo (A) –10 Corban Knight (A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi

16 Mark MacMillan–27 Carter Rowney (A)–15 Michael Parks
8 Dan Senkbeil–28 Stephane Pattyn– Derek Rodwell

9 Drake Caggiula –13 Connor Gaarder– 17 Colten St. Clair

North Dakota Defense Pairings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 18 Dillon Simpson

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

Nick Mattson – 20 Joe Gleason

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg

33 Clarke Saunders

35 Tate Maris

Not in the lineup: 29 Bryn Chyzyk, 22 Andrew Panzarella, 25 Mitch MacMillan, 26 Coltyn Sanderson, 21 Brendan O’Donnell

WCHA Officials: Referees: Tom Sterns (8), Matt Ulwelling (23), Linesman: Andy Carton (92), Nathan Freeman (78).

Wisconsin Badgers Forward Lines

16 Joseph LaBate–9 Mark Zengerle–25 Michael Mersch
17 Nic Kerdiles–14 Jefferson Dahl–7 Tyler Barnes
20 Ryan Little (A)–21 Brendan Woods–18 Sean Little
26 Brad Navin–12 Keegan Meuer–8 Matt Pappe

Wisconsin Badgers Defense Parings

28 Kevin Schulze–55 John Ramage

19 Jake McCabe–27 Frankie Simonelli
5 Chase Drake–24 Joe Faust

Wisconsin Badgers Goalies

30 Landon Peterson

33 Joel Rumpel

Related articles

• UND: The Weekend Ahead (2/1-2/2) (thehockeywriters.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 16 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Web Media Poll: Week 16 (thehockeywriters.com)