Grand Forks Herald Photo They say that it is hard to close out a team in the WCHA playoffs. That statement proved to be true as MTU Huskies (aka the real Huskies) gave the Fighting Sioux all they could handle, and contested the game right to the very end.
In having a conversation Friday night with MeanEgirl from the MTU hockey Blog I am told that Michigan Tech barring injuries would have been the 6th place team in the WCHA this past season. Based on what I have seen from the Huskies this season I don't think I would rule that possibility out. While Tech won two league games this past season they come at you and put a lot of pressure in their opponents face. The Huskies may not get a lot of opportunities but they burry their chances they get. MTU lost seven one goal games and tied seven games this season. Imagine if MTU had won 3/4 of these games? They would have been giving the SCSU Huskies and the Gophers a fight for fifth place in the WCHA standings.
MacNaughten Cup returns to Grand Forks
The Cup made its first appearance in Grand Forks since 2004, at the end of the game the McNaughten Cup was brought out on the ice by Jake Brandt and Nick Fuher who were members of UND’s last MacNaughton Cup champion team in 2003-04. Also, Doug McLeod was rained with a fair number of boos from the crowd when he was introduced for the award ceremony. I have had the opportunity to see the five MacNaughten Cup award ceremonies and this one was awesome. I loved seeing some shorter guy holding the cup above their heads.
Coach Hakstol Shows some emotion
It ended with coach Dave Hakstol holding the Cup high over his head, letting out a yell and giving a big smile.
“It was fitting in a couple of different senses,” Hakstol said. “The 60-minute fight on the ice — let’s not overlook that. What a game Michigan Tech played. I don’t think they could have pushed any harder in this game. I’m sure they’ve got to be proud of their effort. I was proud of our team’s effort and getting the series win gave us a chance to make the presentation of the MacNaughton Cup special.
Originally it was thought that Ryan Duncan had scored a natural hat trick but I told my buddy before I hung up the phone that Vandy had tipped that puck on the second goal Duncan goal. Looking at Today Newspaper and box score the goal was changed as I thought. None the less, what night...
Goon's Three Stars of the Weekend
Here are my three stars for this weekend: 1.) Ryan Duncan (3-1-4), 2.) Chris VandeVelde (2-2-4) 3.) Brad Miller (0-5-5) Honorable Mention Matt Frattin (1-2-3) Look for Brad Miller to get some votes for defensive player of the week in the WCHA, I think he should be a lock for this week’s award. Also, I think Ryan Duncan will get a look for offensive player of the week. I am sure that Kangas who has had like 4 good games the second half of the season will challenge Brad Miller for Defensive player of the weekend.
Box Score.
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1st Period (20:00)
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NDK-1 Evan Trupp (2-Hooking) MTU 0x1 10:26
MTU-1 Alex MacLeod (2-Charging) NDK 0x1 11:54
NDK-2 Evan Trupp (2-Hooking) MTU 1x2 17:21
MTU 1 - 0 6x5 PP Alex MacLeod (6) (Alex Gagne, Deron Cousens) 18:54
MTU: 19,18,5,10,14,G30 NDK: 5,11,6,20,G31
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2nd Period (20:00)
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MTU-2 Ryan Angelow (2-Hooking) NDK 0x2 5:29
NDK-3 Brett Hextall (2-Interference) MTU 1x3 5:50
MTU-3 John Schwarz (2-Hooking) NDK 1x3 7:54
NDK 1 - 1 6x5 PP Ryan Duncan (17) (Brad Miller, Jake Marto) 8:30
NDK: 16,14,25,29,26,G31 MTU: 5,28,20,13,G30
MTU-4 Drew Dobson (2-Checking from Behind) NDK 2x4 9:39
NDK 2 - 1 6x5 PP LL Chris VandeVelde (16) (Ryan Duncan, Brad Miller) 10:31
NDK: 16,14,25,26,29,G31 MTU: 28,10,13,12,G30
NDK 3 - 1 6x6 Ryan Duncan (18) (Jason Gregoire, Brett Hextall) 11:46
NDK (+): 16,17,26,6,25,G31 MTU (-): 10,18,22,5,20,G30
NDK-4 Andrew Kozek (2-Hooking) MTU 1x4 16:24
MTU-5 Brett Olson (2-Slashing) NDK 2x5 16:32
NDK-5 BENCH (2-TOO MANY PLAYERS ON ICE) (Served by Brett Hextall) MTU 2x5 17:15
MTU 2 - 3 5x4 PP Jordan Baker (16) (Drew Dobson, Geoff Kinrade) 17:31
MTU: 22,5,12,26,G37 NDK: 5,2,16,G31
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3rd Period (20:00)
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MTU-6 Eli Vlaisavljevich (2-Tripping) NDK 2x6 2:06
NDK 4 - 2 6x6 GW Matt Frattin (13) (Chris VandeVelde) 5:29
NDK (+): 21,29,24,19,14,G31 MTU (-): 20,16,19,17,12,G37
MTU 3 - 4 6x6 Drew Dobson (5) (Jordan Baker, Ricky Doriott) 16:35
MTU (+): 5,22,23,10,18,G37 NDK (-): 20,11,8,25,6,G31
Timeout - Michigan Tech 18:32
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End of Game
I am 99.9% certain that Alex Stalock will be DPoTW.
ReplyDeleteMy word verification is: subiasmo. I interpret that as Sioux Bias Month.
Maybe a split ballet this week as well? We will see, I have no problem with the Mighty Stalock getting the nod this week. You know what will happen the media will ignore both and give it to Kangas because the Goofs actually won a game. :)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteUMD won on the road whereas UMTC won at home, but yeah I can see Kangdork getting it.
ReplyDeleteThat last post was me, but I had the wrong team written in.