(video) UND 3 - UMD 0

Another weekend, another sweep for the UND hockey team. The win streak is now up to six games. This past weekend, the FHawks were outshot both nights and didn't give up a goal.

Yep, you heard that right. UND sophomore goalie Cam Johnson has now gone 218 minutes and 30 seconds without giving up a goal. Johnson now has back-to-back-to-back shutouts. Johnson (7-0-1, 1.20 GAA, .955 GAA). This past weekend, Johnson led the Fighting Hawks to a series sweep of the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (3-0 W, 3-0 W).

WHKY: Second period Shelby shuts out Badgers

GRAND FORKS, N.D. --

The University of North Dakota spoiled Wisconsin's 18-game winning streak on Friday with a shut-out win. For the second time this season the Fighting Hawks downed the No. 1 ranked team in the country in an attempt to gain traction on the season.

UND got on the board with a power play goal from Layla Marvin during about a little a little over 12 minutes into the first. Four minutes later Vilma Tanksanen put the Hawks up 2-0 with assist from Rebekah Kolstad and Tanja Eisenschmid.

Shelby Amsley-Benzie faced a flurry of 15 shots during the second period. The Badgers dominated offensively, but weren't able to produce results in the form of goals.

“Shelby was lights out and that’s a big part of [the win]. I thought everyone contributed and played well with a lot of passion,” Head coach Brian Idalski said.

Wisconsin was also able to hold off the Hawks' offense to two shots during the second.

“You know what I told the team?” Idalski said about second period. “That’s the great thing about hockey and having three periods. As soon as it’s over, it’s done, it has no bearing. It doesn’t matter. We were good in the first. Second, we got hemmed in, we turned pucks over too much. I said, 'That’s over, let’s go back to what we were doing in the first; keep things simple, manage the game a little bit.' We did that and grinded it out in the third.”

North Dakota was able to rebound in the third period which included a second assist for Eisenschmid on the third goal of the evening by Becca Kohler.

The Fighting Hawks improved to 11-6-2 overall and 8-5-1 in the WCHA. 

Tonight's game marks Amsley-Benzie's fifth shut-out of the year. The Fighting Hawks will attempt to sweep the Badgers Saturday afternoon at 4:07 p.m. at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.  

NCAA Hockey: Video Review of Goals

This past Saturday, University of Denver's head coach Jim Montgomery challenged the UND's third goal. Montgomery felt that Brock Boeser was offside at the line when UND entered the zone. Video replay confirmed that Boeser wasn't offsides during zone entry and the goal counted. For those that are wondering, a coach can challenge a goal. If they get the challenge wrong, they will be charged a timeout.

Rule 93 - Video Replay

93.1 Video Replay - Video replay is permissible in any game. In order to reverse an on-ice ruling, the replay must include conclusive video evidence.

• To determine if a goal was scored as a result of an offside play. The opportunity for review exists during the time the puck entered the attacking zone illegally as a result of the offside infraction and until the puck leaves the offending team’s attacking zone.

93.6 Team Timeout Request - A team may use its timeout for the purpose of reviewing situations that are in the video replay criteria or a potentially non-detected goal. In order for a time out to be granted a coach must:

• Identify from the onset of the request that the timeout is forthe purpose of video review. A coach may not request a video review if the timeout is taken for another purpose. A coach may not stall in any manner prior to requesting the review.

• Identify the specific video replay criteria requested to be reviewed. If the challenge is successful, the team retains its timeout. If not overturned, team loses timeout. (Link to NCAA Ice Hockey Rules)

UND Hockey: Where to Watch this Weekend

For UND fans, one of the complaints about the National Collegiate Hockey Conference  has been the amount of UND's hockey games that have been available on National TV.

Between the initial agreement with CBSSN and Midco not allowing UND's hockey more than five games to be available on Fox College Sports, UND has had very few games on TV outside the regional area.

I have a feeling in the future this will change. UND not having their home games on Fox College Sports is unacceptable. There are many UND hockey fans that live outside the regional area that's covered by Midco Sports.

There is some good news, this weekend, if you live out the North Dakota/Minnesota region and you have DirecTV, you will be able to Friday's game against the Huskies on channel 668.  You will need to have the sports pack.

Saturday's game between SCSU and UND is being picked up by Midco Sports. So, more of the same. Fans that live outside the area will have to watch Saturday's game on NCHC.TV.

Per the Women's Hockey game notes, you will be able to watch Women's hockey this weekend. Friday’s game will be televised by Midco Sports Net and will also be aired live on Fox College Sports Pacific. Also, you can watch both of the women's games on the web by purchasing the videos at UND Insider.

Go Hawks.

Nick Schmaltz's Tic-Tac-Toe Goal

You can watch the video above, I dare you to only watch it one time. You can't do it. I find myself mesmerized by it. I have been watching college hockey for a very long time, I have never seen a goal like this, ever. In my opinion, this goal is worthy of an  ESPN Award of some kind.

The Puck was touched by no less than six players in four seconds. One could only describe it as tic-tac-toe highlight goal. I really enjoyed the call by Dan Hammer and Jake Brandt.

Caggiula has Filthy Mitts

Senior forward Drake Caggiula was suspended for Friday’s game and had to watch from the stands.

Like his teammates, Caggiula didn’t like what he saw on Friday night. No one on the UND hockey team did. Caggiula returned to the lineup on Saturday night after a one-game hiatus and added a much-needed spark.

“Watching yesterday was real tough,” Caggiula said. “It’s been a tough week, not being able to take a regular shift in practice, and having to watch yesterday which, (last night) wasn’t our best game.”

Caggiula continued, “I was the only one with fresh legs today. So, I knew I had to create a spark. I tried to do whatever I could, to do that. It took us… I think it was 35 shots before we could crack one again. We keep pushing and pushing.”

UW vs. UND lines

Here's the lines for tonight's game. As you can see, freshman goalie Matej Tomek will dress for the first time.

Is Midco On the Way out for UND Hockey?

I am going to make a prediction here, either Midco allows UND hockey to be on Fox College Sports or some other television option, or Midco will no longer be doing UND hockey broadcasts after the contract is up.
I say, enough is enough, UND hockey fans want to be able to watch their team play hockey. Especially if they don't live in the regional area. This is very good news for UND hockey fans.

Brad E. Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald --- In the past, UND has put nearly every home game on Fox College Sports and DirecTV. But for the past two seasons, Midco has allowed Fox College Sports to pick up only five games.

Midco is trying to move into the Fargo market and realizes that Cable One subscribers may be able to get games on Fox College Sports. They’d prefer those subscribers to have to cancel Cable One and move over to Midcontinent in order to see UND games.

That’s understandable from Midco’s point of view, but when UND’s hockey fan base is a national one that expects to see nearly every game, this is unworkable.

If Midco continues to control how many games are distributed nationally, it’s doubtful that UND will be able to continue the partnership, no matter how much it may want to.

Again, UND hockey fans don't want to watch a hockey game on the web, they want to watch hockey games on television without having to monkey with computers and connections. As we saw last weekend, not all is equal when it comes to NCHC.TV. Some NCHC schools aren't as good as others. I have been told that WMU's online broadcasts will be much improved this season.

UND No. 1 IN USCHO Poll

November 02, 2015

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(27)	6- 0-2	975	1
2	Providence	(18)	6- 0-1	956	3
3	Boston College	( 4)	5- 1-0	896	4
4	Massachusetts-Lowell		4- 1-2	756	7
5	Quinnipiac	( 1)	6- 0-0	745	9
6	Minnesota-Duluth		3- 2-2	700	6
7	Harvard		2- 0-0	666	11
8	Nebraska-Omaha		6- 2-0	664	2
9	Denver		3- 3-0	539	5
10	St. Cloud State		6- 2-0	537	14
11	Boston University		3- 3-0	513	8
12	Yale		2- 0-0	511	13
13	Michigan		4- 1-1	414	10
14	Bowling Green		4- 2-1	362	12
15	St. Lawrence		5- 2-1	317	16
16	Merrimack		3- 1-2	226	17
17	Clarkson		5- 1-0	193	19
18	Notre Dame		3- 1-2	92	NR
19	Miami		3- 4-1	85	15
20	Robert Morris		3- 1-2	75	NR
Others receiving votes: Michigan Tech 71, Western Michigan 47, Minnesota State 42, Massachusetts 36, Minnesota 27, Penn State 27, Alaska-Anchorage 8, Mercyhurst 4, Rensselaer 4, Bentley 3, Colgate 3, Cornell 3, Ferris State 1, New Hampshire 1, Union 1.

Looking at the USCHO Poll, I am shocked that Western Michigan didn’t break into the top-20 after sweeping the number two team in the nation. Also, I don’t think that Miami is a top-20 team right now.  Finally, Clarkson should be higher base on who they have beaten. 

Saturday Morning Post Game Thoughts

Even to the untrained eye, it's obvious that the Colorado College Tigers are struggling. Frankly, they’re not a very good hockey team. The Tigers have won one game in their 23. During that time, the Tigers have gone 1-20-2(.086). This includes a 0-7-0 start this season. I figure that eventually they're going to figure it out.

I don’t think many of us ever expected walk-on, third-string junior goalie Matt Hrynkiw to be the starter when UND kicked off the 2015-16 season. After injuries to two of UND's top goalies, Hrynkiw has taken over in net. Hrynkiw isn't just killing minutes until the others return, he's doing a good job holding down the fort.

Now after appearing five games, Hrynkiw is ranked 18th in the NCAA and is (4-0-1, 1.81 GAA, and a .927 SV%). Hrynkiw has stopped 102-of-110 shots. One could make the argument that Cam Johnson is going to have to earn his spot back when he returns from injury.

So far, senior forward Bryn Chyzyk is having a good season. The senior from Virden, Manitoba, has points in five straight games. During the first seven games, Chyzyk has scored (5g-2a—7pts). That’s a point a game.

UND entered last night’s game ranked 44th on the Power Play. Last night, UND played undisciplined hockey giving the Tigers seven power plays. After the game, head coach Brad Berry said, “We need to clean it up.” After going killing 6-of-7 Tiger power play opportunities UND improved to 44th nationally.

UND brought in a large freshmen class to start the season. Through seven games, here’s a breakdown of the freshmen scoring. Brock Boeser (5g-2a—7pts), Christian Wolanin (1g-2a—3pts), Chris Wilkie (3g-0a—3pts), Shane Gersich (2g-0a—2pts). Rhett Gardner (1g-0a—1pts), Hayden Shaw (0g-1a—1pts), Joel Janatuinen (0g-0a—0pts). So far this season, the freshman class has accounted for 23.6 % of UND’s scoring.

Last night, UND scored five goals against the Tigers. All five of those goals were scored by freshmen: Wilkie (2), Gersich, Gardner, Boeser. The last time freshmen scored five goals in a single game was on February 24, 2006, when Duncan, Oshie, Toews (2) and Kozek. The only upper classman to score in that game was Mike Prpich. UND would go on to win the game 6-2.

Taking a trip down memory lane, this was also the game where Denver head coach George Gwozdecky was thrown out of the game after Prpich cup checked Geoff Paukovich.

UND's Hrynkiw Shines in Second-Career Start

(s/t to Schlossman for the video) All week long, Matt Hrynkiw has been the story. It's a nice feel-good story. Everyone has been talking about the walk-on third-string goalie at the Wednesday hockey press conference.

Myself included.

Last night, Hrynkiw stopped  all 27 shots that he faced, earning him a shutout. Hrynkiw looked good between the pipes.

As I tweeted last night, after three games, Hrynkiw now has a 2-0-1 record, a 1.66 GAA, and a .933 SV%. That's pretty impressive for a third-string goalie that was probably never expected to play and probably wouldn't have played if Cam Johnson hadn't gone down with an injury.

Now, Johnson might have to work very hard to regain his starting spot. Frankly, I have been more impressed with Hrynkiw than I have with Johnson. Obviously, that could change.

UND Nickname Vote: Zach Parise Doesn't Care for Choices

Former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise doesn't like any of the Nickname choices that are being voted on. He's not alone, a lot of voters have relayed these feelings. It will be interesting to see if move on folks will complain about Parise who is one of UND's most popular Alumni.

Per Paul Walsh, Startribune:

The University of North Dakota opened voting Monday for a new nickname, with the ballot offering five choices to replace Fighting Sioux, and former UND hockey star Zach Parise has weighed in.

That nickname was erased in 2012 under pressure from the NCAA because of its potential to offend American Indians. New nickname options are: Fighting Hawks, Nodaks, North Stars, Roughriders and Sundogs.

Parise, a member of the Minnesota Wild who proudly wore the Sioux name on his jersey, said Monday that he doesn’t care for any of the names on the ballot.

UND remains NO. 1 in USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

October 19, 2015

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(16)	2- 0-2	931	1
2	Nebraska-Omaha	(15)	4- 0-0	927	3
3	Providence	(12)	2- 0-1	902	2
4	Boston College	( 4)	2- 1-0	829	4
5	Minnesota-Duluth	( 1)	2- 1-0	730	7
6	Denver		3- 1-0	726	5
7	Massachusetts-Lowell	( 1)	3- 0-0	665	9
8	Boston University		1- 1-0	631	6
9	Harvard		0- 0-0	580	8
9	St. Cloud State	( 1)	4- 0-0	580	12
11	Michigan		2- 0-0	525	11
12	Bowling Green		3- 1-1	419	10
13	Yale		0- 0-0	387	13
14	Quinnipiac		3- 0-0	352	17
15	Miami		2- 1-1	312	18
16	Michigan Tech		1- 1-0	205	16
17	St. Lawrence		3- 1-0	180	19
18	Union		2- 0-2	145	NR
19	Merrimack		2- 0-0	70	NR
19	Minnesota		0- 3-0	70	15
Others receiving votes: Bemidji State 59, Minnesota State 54, Massachusetts 39, Clarkson 29, Western Michigan 27, Notre Dame 25, Penn State 24, Robert Morris 24, Vermont 19, Dartmouth 18, Michigan State 7, Bentley 5, Colgate 3, Cornell 1.

 

UND remains the number one team in this week’s USCHO Poll.  I expect a meltdown from a certain fan base or two. Don’t for get to vote for your favorite nickname choice.