Beavers Outhustle UND, Win 5-1

The University of North Dakota hockey team appeared ready to kick off the 2014-15 season. First up for UND, the Bemidji State Beavers in a home-and-home series.

Historically, UND hockey teams have started slow and peaked at the end of the season. There was a sense that this year could be different. 

Hold that thought for a minute.

Friday night was UND's home opener, and nothing went right for UND. You could say that the home team came out a bit flat. UND turned over the puck and the Beavers pounced on the home team's miscues. Maybe UND underestimated the Beavers a bit. Now, before we get excited, this is only one game. 

Also, you have to give credit where credit is due. The Beavers came out and pushed the pace, and played like the team that went to the Frozen Four last season. You could say that the Beavers beat UND at their own game. 

The Beavers were rewarded for their efforts and scored four goals in a 08:41 span to put the game out of reach, squashing any hope of an opening night win at the Ralph. UND would drop the home opener for the first time since the 2001 season when UND lost 7-5 to the Minnesota Gophers.

“We didn’t show up to play,” UND Captain Stephane Pattyn said. “Those guys showed up to play, that’s for sure. They came out hungry and aggressive. Our team just didn’t show up.”

Moving forward, UND must put this loss behind them. This is only one game in a 36 game season. 

“You don’t throw this out,” Hakstol said. “This was a hard lesson learned for our hockey team. Now you have to turn around and go on the road into a real tough building, against a team that is playing real well. That is going to have momentum going into their home opener.”

All-NCHC goalie goalie Zane McIntyre was chased from the game at 17:50 mark of the second period after giving up the fourth BSU goal. I don't know if you can fault the goalie, as he was left out to dry by his teammates all night long. Freshman goalie Cam Johnson relieve McIntyre gave up a goal on his first shot that he faced. 

All-time, BSU has a (3-26-3, .140) record against UND.

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• Three Questions Facing the UND Hockey Team

UPDATE: More on the Nickname Task Force

The Grand Forks Herald has updated their article from earlier today and this caught my eye. I guess, I am all for slowing down picking the name, too. Makes sense to me.

Jennifer Johnson, Grand Forks Herald -- Last month, UND Athletics Director Brian Faison said that he didn’t anticipate changes to the nickname affecting game attendance, and merchants have continued to sell their stockpiles of Fighting Sioux merchandise.

State Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, said at that time he anticipated the university’s progress toward a new nickname would be slow because of his plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session. It would extend the waiting time the university has to choose a new nickname by 2½ years.

He wasn’t concerned the university would pick a new name ahead of his legislation.

“It’s not something they’re going to be able to put together in January and pick a name, I would think,” he’d said then.

Related articles

• Grand Forks Herald, 'UND moving gingerly toward a new nickname'

RMU Robert Morris OL Jon Hill talking some smack

Mr. Hill continues: "....we should be just fine because they don't pass rush very well at all." #potatobowltrashtalk
— Tom Miller (@tommillergf) September 4, 2014

Tonight, the University of North Dakota football team starts the Bubba Schweigert era in the Alerus Center. Turning the page, there's a lot to be positive about. Last week, I watched most of the first half and third quarter on my phone, I saw some things that UND is doing that gives me hope. Bubba seems to have brought a more positive attitude. The biggest problem facing UND is the age factor. There was a lot of underclassmen playing last weekend.

Programming note: Tonight's game, is on FCS and MidcoSN.

Apparently, RMU Offensive Lineman Jon Hill doesn't think much of the UND football team. When I played football, you did make comments like this.

Robert Morris OL Jon Hill on UND DL "This team is bigger but they're not as athletic, they're just kind of like trying to plug stuff up."
— Tom Miller (@tommillergf) September 4, 2014

Robert Morris plays @UNDfootball this Saturday at 6pm - watch @MidcoSN for all the action! @UNDsports pic.twitter.com/yNbPpNUvcc
— Midco Sports Network (@MidcoSN) September 3, 2014

Who's the All-Time Greatest UND Fighting Sioux Hockey Player?

I am conducting a poll. All-Time Greatest UND Hockey Player... http://t.co/SiiSO0V6Nv
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) August 28, 2014

I am conducting a non-scientific poll. Who is the Greatest All-Time Fighting Sioux Hockey Player?  There's multiple ways that you can vote.

1.) Vote at Sioux Sports, there's a link provided in the embedded tweet.
2.) You can post a comment on this blog post.
3.) Tweet my your vote on twitter to  @goon48, if you own a twitter account.
4.) Finally, send me an email at thegoon48@gra.midco.net ...

Hump Day Links

There's only 46 days until the University of North Dakota kicks off the 2014-15 season. Here's a few links of interest from the world of hockey.

Matt Greene Brings the Stanley Cup Back to Grand Forks - http://t.co/XKBF7MXZk7 #NHL pic.twitter.com/Vq8Ns9uDjE
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) August 20, 2014

Report: It's 'not looking good' for Bruins on Kevin Hayes http://t.co/JrHlEKUBdz
— Ian McLaren (@iancmclaren) August 20, 2014

Not looking good for #bruins on Kevin Hayes. I'm being told Rangers and Avs appear to have inside track.
— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) August 20, 2014

Three concussion lawsuits filed by ex-NHL players consolidated, to be heard by federal judge in Minnesota. Details: http://t.co/8NdMpE1XHD
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) August 20, 2014

Did Doug Lidster Save The Canucks’ Season? http://t.co/sXodtikSJC #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) August 20, 2014

Checking In: Jake Guentzel: Forward Jake Guentzel returned to Pittsburgh for prospect developme... http://t.co/mVgJbBjUkc #NHL #Penguins
— NHL (@NHLLinks) August 20, 2014

Herald Opinion: UND should get after a new nickname

#111873157 / gettyimages.com

From today's local fish wrapper, err, Grand Forks Herald. But what else would you expect from them? I have always said, outside of the sports page, which is awesome, this news paper disappoints me.

I have to respectfully disagree with Tom Dennis. There’s really no need to hurry picking a new nickname. Nicknames are something that we’re stuck with for a very long. If the University makes a hurried, hasteful decision, the University is going to be stuck with some stupid nickname that no one can get behind, or want on the front of their jerseys and t-shirts... Then what? I am dead serious here. Honestly, I could see this happening. One of my biggest fears is that the University will be pressured into picking some stupid nickname like Sun Dogs or Flickertails.

Let’s slow down, get together and move forward with a purpose. Let's not do this willy-nilly. Moreover, let’s not just pick a nickname, just to pick a nickname. Let’s select something that’s not going to alienate a lot of people, especially alumni.

Also, UND can’t even pick a new nickname until 2015. It’s not like UND is going to order new uniforms for their sports teams half way through the year. This is not going to happen.

The first thing that we need to address is the committee/mechanism that chooses the new nickname. Who will be on this committee that picks the new nickname? Obviously, this committee that doesn’t exist yet. The major question is who’s going to help choose this new nickname? Again, if the alumni think that the “wrong” people are part of the process, or if a block of people are left out of the process, you’re going to alienate your alumni base. The University can’t afford to alienate their loyal alumni base.

Tom Dennis, Grand Forks Herald – “We want to emphasize that the work of this group will be to establish a process, not to select a new nickname or logo,” said one administrator. And even that tepid description sounds fiery next to this one, which another official offered:

“We don’t have a process yet, but what we’re doing is preparing to create a process.”

In our view, this timidity on the part of UND’s administration is a mistake. The university has a lot to gain and not a whole lot to lose by striding confidently toward its goal, which is to line up lots of nickname suggestions, choose the most exciting one and then announce that choice with trumpets and confetti.

Dennis goes on…

Sorry, but the current “University of North Dakota” moniker just isn’t enough. Harvard has the most recognizable academic name on the planet; but Harvard doesn’t call its sports teams, “Harvard.” They are the Harvard Crimson.

The Yale Bulldogs, University of Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes … the list goes on. In fact, it goes on forever, as virtually every other college in America has a team nickname, regardless of how famous the institution is.

Contrary to some’s point of view, no nickname works just fine. This has worked for a year already. Sure, it takes time blending UND into blog posts and game reports, but this is a minor issue.

2015 Frozen Faceoff tickets renewals to be mailed 8/1

Time to reserve those seats for next year's Frozen Faceoff. I also recommend the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.I stayed there last March and it was an amazing hotel.

2015 #FrozenFaceoff tix renewals to be mailed 8/1! Deadline for seat/loyalty pricing is 9/15. http://t.co/eQcuxc0xzJ pic.twitter.com/koz5CRhnwP
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) July 30, 2014

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• NCHC Hockey: UND Advances to the Frozen Faceoff, Avoids Catastrophe

2015 Frozen Four Logo

Not a big fan of this one. Looks like NDSU is hosting the Frozen Four. Thoughts on this logo?

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Grand Forks Herald, 'UND moving gingerly toward a new nickname'

#111873018 / gettyimages.com

I would have commented on this story earlier, but I have been on vacation and I just finished up a project that I was working on.

So it begins. We knew that this day was coming. I am leery, and I am also worried that my favorite college teams are going to end up with a stupid nickname that none of us can really embrace. My head is going to explode "if" UND becomes the Sun Dogs.

Anna Burleson, Grand Forks Herald -- UND is allowed by law to pick a new moniker after January 2015, but after several racially charged incidents on campus, President Robert Kelley has been pressured to take concrete steps and move away from the Fighting Sioux nickname.

“In the minds of many, many people it’s still an issue, it’s still problematic, and I understand that,” Kelley said in May. “I’m not blind to it and I get it. But it is retired officially, so now we’ve got the next step.”

This next step will mean consulting with stakeholders — students, children, residents, faculty, staff and alumni — and laying out the steps the university will take in picking a new nickname.

“We don’t have a process yet but what we’re doing is preparing to create a process,” UND spokesman Peter Johnson said.

I also don’t know if the legislature will be able to extend the deadline to 2017, that will be a story all by itself. If UND can’t be the Fighting Sioux, which they can't, I would rather have no nickname at all. The past season, having no nickname, at all, kind of grew on me. I do like the fact the alumni are going to be part of the process in picking the new nickname. Now, lets just hope the right alumni are selected.

Related articles

• NDSU won't play UND until nickname situation is resolved
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UND could end up losing recruit Ryan Mantha, depending on who drafts him

As a fan of the University of North Dakota, none of us are shocked by these revelations. We have seen it numerous times. We will see it again, probably sooner rather than later. 

[From the Hockey Writers] Ryan Mantha, Sioux City USHL, University of North Dakota, Elite Prospects Page

Def Ryan Mantha (Indiana Ice in @USHL) said whichever team drafts him will determine his fate: Either the UofNorth Dakota or Sault St. Marie
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) May 27, 2014

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(Video Highlights) University of North Dakota athletics 2013-14

Check out this sweet video from the University of North Dakota. It's a pretty good video montage.There's some good memories from the past season for UND sports. I like the one with Brewster dancing with the UND first lady. That's classic.

Three UND Hockey Players Cited for Underage Drinking

#484200919 / gettyimages.com

Three University of North Dakota hockey players have been cited for Possession/Consumption Of Alcohol By Person Under 21. It would appear that the offenses in question happened on April 12, 2014, after the Frozen Four was over.

The three players that were cited are freshman forwards Wade Murphy and Lucas Johnson, aka Luke Johnson and freshman defenseman Keaton Thompson. In addition, Thompson and Murphy were also cited for Failing to Halt.

All charges are Class B Misdemeanors. Checking the court records, no other players have any charges pending at this time. You can search the records using this search engine.

From theGrand Forks Herald. "We are aware of the situation and it has been dealt with internally," UND athletic director Brian Faison said.

(Video) UND vs. UMN Frozen Four Semi Final

I decided to put this video up before I deleted the DVR of the UND and UMN game. This game is a tough one to swallow, because UND dominated the Gophers for most of the game and they deserved a better fate than this. I think this game will burn in the minds of the UND players for most of the summer.

Blast from the Past: UND 4 UMN 4

UND had a 3-1 lead  in this game and let it slip away. The Minnesota Golden Gophers would charge back and score two unanswered goals to get the tie. This was the last series that UND played against the Gophers. One of those games that was fun to watch.

Pierre McGuire interviews Devils forward Travis Zajac

NBC's Pierre McGuire interviews New Jersey Devils forward Travis Zajac. The Former UND forward gives the University of North Dakota  hockey team some love going into the Frozen Four.

Betting Lines and Odds for the NCAA Hockey Tournament

The University of North Dakota Hockey team comes in at  -125 and the Wisconsin Badgers are  -115.  

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• NCAA Hockey: Attendance Issues Plague NCAA Regional Tournaments

Corban Knight makes his NHL Debut

#Flames Snapshot: @CorbanKnight hits the ice for his first @NHL shift! #CGYOTT pic.twitter.com/ns8ZUcnC2M
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 6, 2014

Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight became the 13th former UND hockey player to play in the NHL this season.

Nice to see the kid get a shot. pic.twitter.com/Bl0kfspplO
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) March 6, 2014

Corban Knight Will make NHL debut with Flames tonight

Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight will make his NHL debut tonight.

.@CorbanKnight hits the ice at the Saddledome! pic.twitter.com/y01VwQWpox
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2014

Bob Hartley confirms that TJ Galiardi suffered an injury in the gym and @CorbanKnight will play his first #NHL game tonight! #CGYOTT
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2014

Related articles

• Former UND forward Corban Knight signs with Flames (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Feaster Finally Gets His Man: Calgary Flames Acquire Corban Knight (thehockeywriters.com)
• Calgary Flames Acquire Smilin' Corban Knight (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey: The Weekend Ahead (10/11-10/12)

This weekend, the University of North Dakota entertains the Vermont University Catamounts in an non-conference series at the Ralph Engelstad Arena on October 11-12, 2013.

Matchup: UND (0-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) vs. Vermont (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Hockey East)

Date: October 11-12, 2013.

Time: 7:37 p.m. Friday / Saturday 7:07 p.m. Central.

Radio: UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast: undsports.com

TV: Midco Sports Net (HD channel 622, SD channels 27 & 322)

Series History: All-time: UND leads the series against the Catamounts 2-0-0 (1.00). UND vs. UVM in Grand Forks: None.  UVM vs. UND in Burlington, VT: None.

Players to watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Rocco Grimaldi (13g-23a—36pts), Mark MacMillan (13g-12a—25pts), Drake Caggiula (8g-8a—16pts). Defense: Dillon Simpson (5g-19a—24pts), Nick Mattson (3g-12a—15pts), Jordan Schmaltz (3g-9a—12pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 13-9-4, GAA 2.30 and .917 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 9-4-3, 2.46 GAA and .920 save percentage.

Vermont Forwards: Chris McCarthy (13g-18a—31pts), Jake Fallon (9g-13a—22pts), Matt While (6g-11a—17pts). Defense: Nick Luukko  (3g-7a—10pts), Michael Paliotta (1g-9a—10pts), Yvan Pattyn (3g-4a—7pts), Caylen Walls 2g-5a—7pts). Goaltender: Michael Santaguida 29-10-3, 2,28 GAA, .933 save percentage (Surrey Eagles, BCHL).

Vermont Injuries: Forward Kyle Reynolds (9g-11a—20pts) (out for the year injury), Goaltender Brody Hoffman 11-9-6, 2.86 GAA and .904 save percentage (injured did not make trip).

Fun fact: UND freshman forward Adam Tambellini played with Vermont goalie Michael Santaguida when they played for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League.

UND Official Web Page

University of Vermont Web Page

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• UND Hockey: Two Headed Monster in Net for UND (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey: UND slips past Manitoba

Interior of Ralph Englested Arena during a hockey game. The arena is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tonight, The University of North Dakota kicked off the 2013-14 season with an exhibition game against the Manitoba Bison (Canadian Interuniversity Sport). The Bison entered tonight’s game with a 0-2-0 record and were outscored 9-0 on the weekend by the Alberta Golden Bears of Canada West. Things didn’t get any better for the Bison tonight. When Manitoba left Grand Forks, ND they had been outscored 12-0 on the weekend, and were still winless after losing 3-0 to UND.

The game was choppy at times and the hometown team looked a little bit rusty. UND came into game with only one official practice under their belt, but the green and white still managed to put 39 shots on net. Despite the high shot total, UND was only able to put three past Manitoba goalies Joe Caliguri and Deven Dubyk.

The game featured three players from the greater Grand Forks Area (Gage Ausmus, Luke Johnson and Paul LaDue). One of the local players, Luke Johnson made an immediate impression on the home town folk, scoring UND’s third goal at the 03:26 mark of the third period. After the game, the freshman was asked about his debut in a UND uniform.

“It was incredible,” Luke Johnson said. “Growing up here, I always dreamed of being on the ice with that caliber of player. So, it was nice to get out there and get the first one.”

The rust showed on special teams and the power play went 0-8 on the evening. Johnson was asked about his impression of the power play.

“We have worked on it a little bit the past week, but were going to need some work on it,” Johnson said.

The UND head coach concurred with his freshman forwards assessment of the power play and had this to say about his team’s first game.

“I thought we did a lot of good things,” Hakstol said. “I will get a little more specific than that. I thought we really started out the game trying to play with some structure. I thought as we got moving through the game, our five-on-five play improved as we went through the game. As I expected, I thought we were a little rocky on our specialty teams.  We scored the shorthanded goal, we were a little out of sync on the PK, but we got the job done.   Our power play was a little out of sync, but I think we still got 14 or 15 shots on goal.”

Last season, during the exhibition game against Manitoba, UND forward Michael Parks suffered a lower body injury and missed 17 games. After missing all but one game during the first half of the season, Parks returned to the lineup and scored (7g-1a—8pts) in 25 games. Tonight, Parks was one of the forwards that stood out. Parks scored at the 11:38 mark of the second period to give UND a 2-0 lead. After the game the sophomore forward seemed pleased with his game.

“I think we had a real strong game as a team,” Parks said. “I think it’s good that we got the first one out of the way, because we got a lot of young guys in there. We had what seems to be a pretty long preseason here.  Then with working really had at practice, we were really excited to get on the ice in a game.”

The regular season starts for real next weekend (October 11-12, 2013 ) when UND plays the University of Vermont Catamounts in a two game series at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Dillon Simpson named Captain of the UND Hockey Team (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
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• UND Women: Observations from Lindenwood Series (insidehockey.com)
• UND Hockey: Two Headed Monster in Net for UND (thehockeywriters.com)