UND set to Take on Pioneers

Gwozdecky is gone, rivalry is not

While you’re checking out some of those YouTube videos, you’ll probably find a video of head coach George Gwozdecky walking across the ice after getting kicked out of a game.

While coach Gwozdecky is no longer at Denver, he wasn’t re-signed after the 2012-13 season. The rivalry hasn’t cooled off in his absence.

If you look over the record books, you will see that there’s a lot of history between the two teams. In their last 15 games against the Pioneers, UND has a 9-5-1 record. Four of those games have been in the playoffs. UND won all four games.

Historically, the games have been entertaining and full of drama. The players from both teams love playing in the series. It’s one of those series that the UND players look forward to playing in.

“I think it’s such a great rivalry between two programs,” sophomore defenseman Troy Stecher said. “It’s an up paced game. Their D-Core is pretty offensive. We like to think that our D-Core can jump up in the play as well. I think it’s going to be a weekend of chances going back and forth.”

“It’s a tradition I think or a history thing,” senior caption Steph Pattyn said. “It’s definitely a rivalry. Something that has always been. A lot of it has to do with the history of the two programs. Denver is a good program. The coaches definitely instill in us to go hard this weekend.”

(Read the rest of the story)

UND vs. DU, College Hockey's Hatfields and McCoys - http://t.co/ys06MZTB4D #NHL pic.twitter.com/R1pqBlI13p
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) February 12, 2015

The Pios are practicing at Joy Burns Arena this morning prior to making the trek to North Dakota later today #DUvsUND pic.twitter.com/QaSgcrrEko
— Denver Hockey (@DU_Hockey) February 12, 2015

Shelby Amsley-Benzie, WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

Congrats to UND junior goalie Shelby Amsley-Benzie for being named the WCHA defensive player of the week.

WCHA Defensive Player of the Week

Shelby Amsley-Benzie, Jr., G, North Dakota (Warroad, Minn.)

Amsley-Benzie continued her run of stellar play, backstopping North Dakota to a five-point weekend at No. 6 Minnesota Duluth. The junior from Warroad, Minn. recorded her fourth shutout of the season – third against a nationally-ranked opponent – when she stopped all 30 shots faced Friday in a 1-0 victory. She then followed up her shutout performance with a 25-save effort Saturday, helping UND to a 2-2 tie and shootout victory. North Dakota’s netminder helped her team’s penalty kill go a perfect 6-for-6 on the weekend, stopping 10 shots while short-handed. Amsley-Benzie currently leads the nation with a .949 save percentage. Since Jan. 1, she tops the country with both a .971 save percentage and 0.71 goals against average.

Also nominated: Ann-Renée Desbiens, So., G, Wisconsin

Friday Links UNO vs. UND

Epic series this weekend in Omaha, Nebraska. UND takes on the Red Mavs in an important two-game conference series. Should be an exciting series. #hateundweek

After 3 days in Sisseton and a disgusting, vomit-filled bus ride home, UND is changing up the Omaha trip this year http://t.co/3eM2P3c63F
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) January 29, 2015

NCHC Hockey: UND and UNO Take Center Ice - http://t.co/ypqgshLKhW #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/lF6QNhpHmH
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) January 29, 2015

#1 North Dakota travels to #5 UNO in college hockey's biggest series this weekend http://t.co/EijRlHboFX pic.twitter.com/y47lJKvitA
— SBN College Hockey (@SBNCollegePuck) January 30, 2015

UND Women Push Win Streak to Four - http://t.co/3XiGTdVVuf #NHL pic.twitter.com/y9WmNqVsJS
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) January 29, 2015

UND Hockey: Shorthanded, No Problem - http://t.co/lmeOAl3YBJ #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/UN9PcPat39
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) January 29, 2015

UND and UNO Set to Clash in Omaha http://t.co/Ip3XM8pOcW pic.twitter.com/YfHU8WKmAL
— Goon's ND Redneck (@NDRedneck) January 29, 2015

ICYMI, watch the newest episode of #ThroughTheseDoors https://t.co/VddunC7iBr #UNDproud #NCHCHockey
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) January 30, 2015

UND Hate Week in Omaha :)

Ah yes... It's "Hate UND Week" on ESPN 590 AM Omaha. So, if you haven't heard this, you might want to listen to it at the 31:00 mark of the embedded broadcast.

For some interesting hockey analysis from a UNO fan's perspective  you can check out MAV PUCK.

This should be a good series of hockey, both teams hate each other and it should be a rough series. Both games will be on TV and for those with DirecTV, you will be able to watch Friday's game on CBSSN and Saturday's game on Fox College Sports.

If you haven't seen it, Ryan Lambert of Puck Daddy has been taking hacks at UNO all season long.

Meanwhile, the poor-but-they-keep-winning-anyway Omaha Mavericks swept Denver.

Omaha will fall off, but might have enough points banked that it doesn't make a difference. North Dakota is better but still not great.

Good News for UND Hockey Fans: MidcoSN Adds Saturday's Game at Omaha

This is very good news for UND hockey fans. Friday's game in on CBSSN and Saturday's game is on FCS and MidcoSN.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Midco Sports Network (MidcoSN) announced today that it will add North Dakota’s men’s hockey game at Omaha on Saturday, Jan. 31, to its live television broadcast schedule.

MidcoSN has reached an agreement with NET Nebraska in Lincoln and will air its production of the game on Midco Sports Network channel 622 (HD) and 26 (SD). Dave Ahlers and former UNO hockey player David Brisson will call the action beginning at 7 p.m.

Friday’s game can be seen live nationally on CBS Sports Network, which is also available to DirecTV and DISH Network subscribers. Ben Holden handles the play-by-play and is joined by analyst Dave Starman and rinkside reporter Shireen Saski.

With 10 games remaining in the regular season, top-ranked North Dakota trails fifth-ranked Omaha by one point for first place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) standings.

Related articles

• NCHC Power Rankings(insidehockey.com)

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WHKY: North Dakota splits with Syracuse

GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- North Dakota came out of winter break in non-convference action against Syracuse University. By the final buzzer on Sunday afternoon UND earned a split on the weekend.

It took the first 20 minutes of Saturdays's game for North Dakota to work out the rust from break. With tired 'Cuse players on the ice, Gracen Hirshy scored the first goal of the game.

During the second period UND was able to hold the Orange to four shots on goal. North Dakota maintained the lead and dictate the majority of play for the remainder of the game.

Former Warroad Warriors teammates Layla Marvin and Kayla Gardner both found the scoresheet. This included a two-goal game for Marvin who potted an empty net goal with under a minute remaining in the game.

North Dakota got off to a strong start on Sunday, but ended the first period with a one-goal deficit when The Orange scored on the power play at the 6:42 mark. There were no shortage of chances in the form of odd-player rushes and open nets, but UND was never able to capitalize.

The lone goal for North Dakota came after they were able to tire Syracuse after a power play in the second. As time dwindled on the clock during the third period the pressure mounted. "Kids started gripping their sticks and it was brutal," head coach Brian Idalski said.

North Dakota will resume WCHA conference play when they meet with the WCHA third-ranked, Ohio State Buckeyes this coming weekend. OSU left the weekend with a sweep over the St. Cloud State Huskies.

(Video) Highlights of UND vs. UMD

As promised, the video highlights of game two between UND vs. UMD game. I think the boys in stripes has a rough weekend, all weekend long. Also, I included the first penalty of the game. Mark MacMillan was hit with a shoulder/elbow in the head by UMD defensmen Andy Welinskito, this should have been a five-minute major.

Some had made the argument that Steph Pattyn should have been tossed from the game. The Duluth player definitely embellished the call. It was a good weekend of hockey. Feel free to chime in with your opinion.

NDK 1 - 1 6x6 Brendan O'Donnell (6) (Keaton Thompson/4, Andrew Panzarella/2) 13:25
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 LL Mark MacMillan (9) (Paul LaDue/7, Zane McIntyre/1) 6:11
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 GW Brendan O'Donnell (7) (Connor Gaarder/5) 10:19
NDK 4 - 1 6x6 Drake Caggiula (9) (Nick Schmaltz/13, Jordan Schmaltz/13) 12:47
NDK 5 - 2 6x6 HT Brendan O'Donnell (8) (Luke Johnson/6) 9:16

Simply Being UND One of the Nickname Options

I must say that I was very happy to read this. I still think this is the best option moving forward. Instead of picking a silly, new nickname that none of us will be able to behind. This to me makes the most sense. 

I am dead serious here, would you rather have the sports teams referred to as simply "UND" or would you rather have North Dakota's sports teams named after some silly, moronic, boring nickname like Sun Dogs? 

Anna Burleson , Grand Forks Herald -- At a meeting Wednesday, Jeno and the rest of the UND New Nickname and Logo Process Recommendation Task Force voted to continue to move forward in selecting a new nickname for the institution, with the provision the current name "UND" be included as a possible option. The group developed the skeleton of a plan that involves appointing another committee as soon as possible that will ultimately decide on the next nickname.

The plan, which the group is still working on, will be presented to President Robert Kelley later this month.

The school's former logo, the Fighting Sioux, was retired in late 2012 and at the meeting, the task force decided bringing that name back isn't an option due to a 2007 settlement reached by UND and the NCAA, which had threatened sanctions for using a name they deemed offensive.

"There are people who still think we can go back, but we can't," task force co-chair and UND alumna Sheri Kleinsasser Stockmoe said.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald: Nickname task force further develops open forums(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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President Kelly Praised for His Stand on Retiring Logo in Performance Rating

s/t to Rob Port of sayanythingblog.com -- Here's UND President, Rob Kelly's most recent performance evaluation . Check out the comments by his evaluator, North Dakota Chancellor, Larry Skogen. These comments will definitely rub some UND fans the wrong way. 

You can find the whole evaluation at this link.

Doesn't look like the leadership is looking at the no nickname option.

Again, most of us realize that the Fighting Sioux nickname is gone and that it's not coming back. But a lot of people in high places of higher education are out of touch with reality and these comments smack of elitism.  Feel free to argue if you want.

LSSU vs. UND Game Two Lines

Drake Caggiula is back in the lineup tonight. Scratches for UND: 5- Nick Mattson, 17- Colton St. Clair (injury), 22 - Andrew Panzarella, 29- Bryn Chyzyk (Injury).

McIntyre starts in goal. Caggiula remains in the lineup. Simonson back in the lineup. Chyzyk still out. St. Clair out indef. (upper body).
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) December 6, 2014

UND vs. UNO - Game 2 Lines

North Dakota Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan (A)–15 Michael Parks (A)

3 Tucker Poolman –27 Luke Johnson–8 Nick Schmaltz
28 Stephane Pattyn (C)– 10 Johnny Simonson  – 17 Colten St. Clair

11 Trevor Olson– 13 Connor Gaarder (A) –14 Austin Poganski

North Dakota Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher

Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson –22 Andrew Panzarella

North Dakota Goalies  

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson

Omaha-Nebraska Forward Lines

13 Jake Randolph–10 Tyler Vesel–25 Justin Parizek

12 David Pope–Avery Peterson–18 Jono Davis
20 Jake Guentzel–14 Dominic Zombo–16 Austin Ortega
17 Luke Nogard–19 Tanner Lane–23 Grant Gallo

Nebraska-Omaha Defense Pairings

2 Brian Cooper–5 Joel Messner

4 Luc Snuggerud–28 Brian O’Rourke
3 Brian Rideout—24 Ian Brady

Nebraska-Omaha Goalies

31 Ryan Massa

29 Kirk Thompson

UND vs. SCSU lines game two

North Dakota Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan (A) –15 Michael Parks (A)
21 Brendan O’Donnell–27 Luke Johnson–17 Colten St. Clair
28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–13 Connor Gaarde (A) –3 Tucker Poolman
11 Trevor Olson–10 Johnny Simonson–14 Austin Poganski

North Dakota Dense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher       
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
4 Keaton Thompson–24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson

Huskies Forward Lines

9 Joey Benik–22 Jonny Brodzinski–13 David Morley
16 Jimmy Murray–11 Kalle Kossila–63 Patrick Russell
18 Garrett Milan–17 Judd Peterson–2 Jarrod Rabey
27 Nick Oliver–37 Joe Rehkamp–21 Brooks Bertsch

Huskies Defense Pairings

28 Andrew Prochno–40 Tim Daly
5 Nathan Widman–12 Ethan Prow
7 Niklas Nevalainen–26 Mika Ilvonen

Huskies Goalies

35 Charlie Lindgren
45 Rasmus Reijola
33 Joseph Phillippi

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. St. Cloud State, Series Preview(thehockeywriters.com)

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UND vs. SCSU game one lines

UND Forward Lines

16 Mark MacMillan (A)–9 Drake Caggiula–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–27 Luke Johnson–7 Wade Murphy
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A)–17 Colten St. Clair
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–14 Austin Poganski

UND Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
6 Paul LaDue–3 Tucker Poolman
4 Keaton Thompson–24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson

Huskies Forward Lines

9 Joey Benik–22 Jonny Brodzinski–13 David Morley
16 Jimmy Murray–11 Kalle Kossila–63 Patrick Russell
42 Blake Winiecki–17 Judd Peterson–2 Jarrod Rabey
27 Nick Oliver–37 Joe Rehkamp–21 Brooks Bertsch

Huskies Defense Pairings

28 Andrew Prochno–40 Tim Daly
5 Nathan Widman–12 Ethan Prow
4 Ben Storm–26 Mika Ilvonen

Huskies Goalies

35 Charlie Lindgren
45 Rasmus Reijola
33 Joseph Phillippi

TV info for @UNDMhockey at SCSU: Fox Sports North Plus, Fox College Sports Pacific, NCHCtv. Check your local listings for channel line-up.
— UND Insider (@undinsider) November 21, 2014

North Dakota vs. Miami - Game Two

UND Forward Lines

16 Mark MacMillan (A)–9 Drake Caggiula–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–27 Luke Johnson–7 Wade Murphy
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A)–17 Colten St. Clair
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–11 Trevor Olson

UND Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
4 Keaton Thompson–24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Miami RedHawk Forward Lines

22 Kevin Morris–26 Justin Greenberg–33 Andrew Schmit
14 Cody Murphy–25 Blake Coleman–42 Conor Lemirande
95 Anthony Louis–9 Sean Kuraly–12 Alex Gacek
10 Alex Wideman–7 Austin Czarnik–11 Riley Barber

Miami Defense Pairings

58 Louie Belpedio–8 Matthew Caito
5 Chris Joyaux–28 Ben Paulides
27 Scott Dornbrock–2 Taylor Richart

Miami Goalies

35 Ryan McKay
1 Jay Williams

Reminder that tonight's game can be seen live on @MidcoSN, FOX College Sports Central, DirecTV (ch. 608-1) and DISH Network (ch. 447).
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 15, 2014

North Dakota vs. Miami Lines - Game One

UND Forward Lines

28 Stephane Pattyn–27 Luke Johnson–11 Trevor Olson
16 Mark MacMillan–9 Drake Caggiula–15 Michael Parks
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–14 Austin Poganski
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Pairings

6 Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
4 Keaton Thompson–3 Tucker Poolman

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Miami RedHawk Forward lines

22 Kevin Morris–26 Justin Greenberg–33 Andrew Schmit
14 Cody Murphy–25 Blake Coleman–42 Conor Lemirande
95 Anthony Louis–9 Sean Kuraly–12 Alex Gacek
10 Alex Wideman–7 Austin Czarnik–11 Riley Barber

Miami RedHawk Defense Pairings

58 Louie Belpedio–8 Matthew Caito
5 Chris Joyaux–28 Ben Paulides
27 Scott Dornbrock–2 Taylor Richart

Miami RedHawk Goalies

1 Jay Williams
35 Ryan McKay

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Miami, Series Preview(thehockeywriters.com)

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More Bad News for UND: Nick Schmaltz Is out Indefinitely

UND's task just got a little taller this weekend.UND will be without three of their top players when they take against NCHC foe Miami on Friday night.

Last season, UND suffered a rash of injuries in October and November.

UND's injury list now includes, Mark MacMillan (5g-2a—7pts), Nick Schmaltz (1g-7a—8pts), Paul LaDue (3g-5a—8pts). MacMillan and Schmaltz are out indefinitely.

Dave Hakstol says freshman forward Nick Schmaltz is out indefinitely. No new updates on Mark MacMillan or Paul LaDue.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 12, 2014

Related articles

• Mark MacMillan out indefinitely following wrist surgery(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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• North Dakota Beats Providence in Grand Forks(insidehockey.com)

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UND sweeps UW in Madison

North Dakota Sweeps Bucky

The University of North Dakota swept the Wisconsin Badgers in convincing fashion beating them 4-3 on Friday night and then blitzing them 5-1 on Saturday night.

On Saturday, North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre stopped 23-of-24 shots and UND got five goals from five different players (Luke Johnson, Drake Caggiula, Brendan O’Donnell, Troy Stecher, Gage Ausmus) to finish the sweep against the Badgers.

From the historical stats department: With Saturday’s victory over Wisconsin, UND (7-1-1) is unbeaten in eight games (7-0-1). With the road win, UND improves 5-0-0 on the road for the first time since the 1980-81 season.

Finally, UND is 6-0-1 in their past seven games against the Badgers.

Wrapping up another @UNDMHockey sweep #NDProud #SiouxSweep pic.twitter.com/S4EJSHLZ0S
— Stay A Sioux (@StayaSioux) November 9, 2014

Related articles

• (Video) Zane McIntyre's 10-Bell Save(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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(Video) Zane McIntyre's 10-Bell Save

I thought the goaltending was pretty good this weekend. Defensively, UND was also pretty good all weekend long. UND has only given up two even strength goals since the season opener against Bemidji State.

UND allowed 3 even-strength goals in the season-opener, has allowed 2 even-strength goals in the five games since.
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 26, 2014

Highlights of North Dakota's 2-2 tie with Providence on Satur... http://t.co/i7USlaRNv5
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 26, 2014

UND vs. Providence Game Two Lines

UND Forward Lines

28 Stephane Pattyn (C)– 27 Luke Johnson–15 Michael Parks(A)
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A) – 7 Wade Murphy
9 Drake Caggiula–8 Nick Schmaltz–11 Trevor Olson
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–14 Austin Poganski

UND Defensive Pairing

6 Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
5 Nick Mattson–3 Tucker Poolman

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Providence Forward Lines

22 Brandon Tanev–24 Noel Acciari (C) –15 Steven McParland
12 Stefan Demopoulos–14 Ross Mauermann (C)–26 Brian Pinho
29 Conor MacPhee–21 Kevin Rooney–11 Niko Rufo
20 Shane Luke–18 Nick Saracino–9 Trevor Mingoia

Providence Defensive Parings

5 Kyle McKenzie–16 Anthony Florentino
19 Jake Walman–4 Mark Adams
3 John Gilmour–27 Josh Monk

Providence Goalies

32 Jon Gillies
35 Nick Ellis

UND vs Providence College Lines - Links

UND Forward Lines

28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–16 Mark MacMillan (A) –15 Michael Parks(A)
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A) –27 Luke Johnson
9 Drake Caggiula–8 Nick Schmaltz–11 Trevor Olson
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defensive Pairing

6 Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
5 Nick Mattson–3 Tucker Poolman

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Providence Forward Lines

22 Brandon Tanev–24 Noel Acciari (C) –15 Steven McParland
12 Stefan Demopoulos–14 Ross Mauermann (C)–26 Brian Pinho
29 Conor MacPhee–21 Kevin Rooney–11 Niko Rufo
20 Shane Luke–18 Nick Saracino–9 Trevor Mingoia

Providence Defensive Parings

5 Kyle McKenzie–16 Anthony Florentino
19 Jake Walman–4 Mark Adams
3 John Gilmour–27 Josh Monk

Providence Goalies

32 Jon Gillies
35 Nick Ellis

NCAA Women's Hockey Morning Skate: October 24th, 2014 - http://t.co/69us2LhN8Q #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/KYLsWQlg99
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 24, 2014

North Dakota and Providence Take Center Stage http://t.co/iecafIVFAl #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 24, 2014

UND getting much more than it bargained for with the Providence series http://t.co/jUI54Bs0D3
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 24, 2014