I started this glorious day at Purpur Arena where I watched the first of three hockey game live today. First on the docket was the Central Knights as they beat the Fargo South Bruins 3-2. Then I drove over to the Ralph to watch the Fighting Sioux battled to a 4-4 tie with the scrappy Colorado College Tigers. Then we went to Whitey's where we had supper and then headed back to the Ralph to end the night watching the Red River Rough Riders do the unthinkable; Red River was out shot for the game but beat Bismarck 3-2. Red River goalie Cory Meland saved his best games for the last two games of high school career.
I am not a big fan of Fighting Sioux playing at 3:37 pm in the afternoon; however it's better than working. I know it’s a cliché but a bad day of hockey is better than a good day of work. Today I thought the Fighting Sioux looked a little sluggish against the Tigers in all three zones and were a step behind during the middle part of the game. I also think that is to be understood since they played in Anchorage last weekend and that trip takes a lot out of any hockey team.
Brad Eidsness was the difference in this hockey game today; Brad Eidsness made some huge saves at the right time. I remember at the beginning of the season some were questioning if the Sioux would have enough goaltending to contend for a title. I think those questions have been answered as the Fighting Sioux are closing in a WCHA regular season title. The one save that he made in the third period was absolutely amazing. Tomorrow afternoon the defense is going to have to tighten up and start getting ready for the playoffs. The team as a whole cannot be giving up odd man rushes and letting the opposition move into the offensive zone unchallenged.
As it stands right now the Fighting Sioux are one point behind Denver with two games in hand. Realistically that means UND has a possibility of 6 points and DU has a possible 2 points left. If the Fighting Sioux can get three more points they would at least tie for a league title. If the Fighting Sioux can get 4 points they can win a McNaughton Cup out right. That would be the first McNaughton Cup of Coach Hakstol’s tenure. The Fighting Sioux have not won a McNaughton Cup since 2004.
Box score
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1st Period (20:00)
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CC-1 Brian McMillin (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x1 8:20
NDK 1 - 0 6x6 Matt Watkins (6) (Andrew Kozek, Zach Jones) 10:56
NDK (+): 20,10,6,11,25,G31 CC (-): 7,18,16,26,10,G30
CC-2 Ryan Lowery (2-Tripping) NDK 0x2 12:18
NDK-1 Chris VandeVelde (2-Tripping) CC 0x1 12:36
CC 1 - 1 5x5 Mike Testwuide (4) (Matt Overman, Gabe Guentzel) 14:04
CC (+): 25,18,10,15,G30 NDK (-): 20,5,14,11,G31
NDK 2 - 1 6x6 Brett Hextall (10) (Ryan Duncan, Jason Gregoire) 14:58
NDK (+): 26,16,17,24,5,G31 CC (-): 22,4,2,14,15,G30
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2nd Period (20:00)
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NDK-2 Chay Genoway (2-Tripping) CC 1x2 2:44
CC 2 - 2 6x5 PP Chad Rau (15) (Bill Sweatt, Brian Connelly) 3:06
CC: 14,21,11,28,10,G30 NDK: 20,25,6,11,G31
CC-3 Jake Gannon (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x3 3:53
CC-4 Tyler Johnson (2-Roughing) 7:10
NDK-3 Jake Marto (2-Tripping) 7:10
NDK-4 Mario Lamoureux (2-Roughing) CC 1x3 7:10
CC-5 Nate Prosser (2-Cross-Checking) NDK 0x4 11:02
NDK-5 Chris VandeVelde (2-Interference) CC 1x4 12:33
CC 3 - 2 6x6 Bill Sweatt (12) (Gabe Guentzel, Chad Rau) 14:35
CC (+): 21,10,14,28,11,G30 NDK (-): 19,25,29,6,22,G31
CC-6 Tyler Johnson (2-Hooking) NDK 0x5 17:33
CC-7 Andreas Vlassopoulos (2-Roughing) 19:35
NDK-6 Jason Gregoire (2-Roughing) 19:35
NDK 3 - 3 5x5 Darcy Zajac (3) (Joe Finley, Chay Genoway) 19:54
NDK (+): 11,20,2,5,G31 CC (-): 11,14,25,24,G30
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3rd Period (20:00)
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NDK 4 - 3 6x6 Brett Hextall (11) (Brad Miller) 1:49
NDK (+): 26,14,16,17,24,G31 CC (-): 16,28,18,15,4,G30
NDK-7 Matt Frattin (2-Hooking) CC 1x5 7:29
CC-8 Mike Testwuide (2-Holding) NDK 0x6 7:42
CC 4 - 4 5x5 GT Chad Rau (16) (Eric Walsky, Gabe Guentzel) 7:59
CC (+): 14,10,7,22,G30 NDK (-): 16,17,2,5,G31
CC-9 Mike Testwuide (2-Hooking) NDK 0x7 13:05
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Overtime (5:00)
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Timeout - Colorado College 4:00
Timeout - North Dakota 4:20
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End of Game
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