Here is what College Hockey News had to say about UND:
NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING SIOUX
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol
2008-09 record: 24-15-4 (17-7-4 WCHA); WCHA Regular Season champions
NCAA: Lost First Round
Key Returnees: Brad Eidsness G SO., Chay Genoway D SR., Jason Gregoire F SO, Evan Trupp F JR., Chris VandeVelde F SR., Darcy Zajac F SR.
Key Losses: Ryan Duncan, Joe Finley, Matt Frattin (underclassman), Andrew Kozek, Matt Watkins
Before last season, North Dakota had never missed the Frozen Four under the guidance of Hakstol. Through 40 minutes of a first-round contest against New Hampshire, it appeared UND was on track for a return trip. Leading 5-3 halfway through the third period, it all fell apart. The Wildcats scored at the 11 minute mark to make it 5-4 before tying the score with an improbable goal with under a second to play in regulation. UNH capped the comeback with the game-winner just 45 seconds into overtime to knock North Dakota from the NCAA tournament.
That type of finish to their season – unprecedented under Hakstol – has left the Sioux with a chip on their shoulders heading into 2009-10.
“For our veteran returning players, I hope there is a lesson to be learned there,” Hakstol said. “Most importantly for those guys, hopefully there was a motivation for them in their training over the summer.”
Included among those veterans is senior defenseman Chay Genoway – arguably the league’s best defenseman – and a number of quality forwards, including fellow seniors Chris VandeVelde and Darcy Zajac, as well as junior Evan Trupp and sophomore Jason Gregoire, whose 29 points last season was sixth among league freshmen. VandeVelde, who has increased his scoring totals in each of his three seasons, set a career high in goals (18) and points (35) a year ago, and seems primed to break out as one of the conference’s best forwards.
Also back is sophomore goaltender Brad Eidsness. Only now-departed UMD goalie Alex Stalock played more minutes than Eidsness did as a freshman a year ago, and Eidsness responded, finishing with a .906 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average.
“We have some players returning who we know will do a good job for us,” Hakstol said. “But we also have a lot of questions marks we need to answer.”
Those questions surround the team’s youth. While the Sioux return a number of quality players with experience, UND’s fortunes will likely come down to how well its freshmen can adapt to the college game. Among those coming to Grand Forks who could see immediate playing time are Corban Knight and Danny Kristo, a nifty forward from Eden Prairie, Minn.
“We have a lot of guys who look like have come to campus ready to compete for jobs,” Hakstol said. “Now it’s a matter of us sorting out what roles those players are capable of playing at.
The biggest weekend of the season for the Gophers, and their beat writer hasn't written an article since the 5th of October. Not sure what is going on there. You would think he would have some piffy stories on the UND and UMN matchup. [Goal Gophers] The Gopher defenders might score more this season, but I wonder if Fairchild will be able to find the blue line.
Here is how Gopher beat writer/homer Roman Ausustoviz predicts the WCHA season will end. Naturally he picks the Gophers to finish second in the WCHA standings. [Red Star and Sickle]
1 DENVER (23-12-5 IN 2008-09)Gophers sieve Alex Kangas wants to put last season behind him. I don't know, it was fun for me to watch. [Pioneer Press]
2 GOPHERS (17-13-7)
3 NORTH DAKOTA (24-15-4)
The Sioux won a record 14th MacNaughton Cup last season, finishing two points ahead of Denver in the WCHA standings. "We have a lot of work to do, but we have a lot of tools to work with," coach Dave Hakstol said. Senior defenseman Chay Genoway was the conference's defensive player of the year. Senior Chris VandeVelde (18 goals) is the top returning scorer.
4 WISCONSIN (20-16-4)
5 MINNESOTA DULUTH (22-13-8)
6 ST. CLOUD STATE (18-17-3)
7. COLORADO COLLEGE (16-12-10)
8 ALASKA ANCHORAGE (14-17-5)
9 MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO (15-17-6)
10 MICHIGAN TECH (6-25-7)
Watch this weekend's games on the internet if you don't get Fox Sports or FSSN. [Click here for video]
The Media Guide is up for the Fighting Sioux hockey teams. [Fighting Sioux]
Couple of quick facts about Sioux/Gophers series:
• The Sioux outhit the Gophers. There were 53 penalties called and six 10-minute misconducts. North Dakota had 24 penalties, including 11 for roughing and two for hitting after the whistle. The Gophers had 29 penalties: 15 for roughing, one for instigating. R.J. Anderson, a Gophers senior defenseman, summed up it best: "They came to a war with guns, and we came with butter knives." [Star Tribune]
UND is 8-2-1 in the last 11 games against the Gophers.
SERIES HISTORY: UND is 124-130-12 all-time against the Gophers but is unbeaten in the last four meetings (3-0-1) and is 8-2-1 over the last 11.
The Sioux swept the lone series between the two teams last year, skating to 6-3 and 6-1 victories in Grand Forks (Jan. 9-10).
Gopher Puck Live writer Ryan Cardinal talks about the match up. Goaltending will be key in this series.
Despite that fact they were hit around last time out against UND, tmatch uphe main issue in that series was the goaltending, or lack thereof for the Gophers. The duo of Alex Kangas and Kent Patterson had a combined save percentage of just .836 in that series, and though they were hung out to dry a few times, there were several savable goals that made their way into the back of the net. Kangas started both games and was pulled on each night, and at media day, Lucia admitted he should have used Patterson more often last season. Look for Kangas to get the start on Friday night, and if he plays well he could also get the nod on Saturday as he does have the edge in experience, but Patterson will play more games this season, that much is for sure. [Gopher Puck Live]The best beat writer in college hockey, Brad Elliott Schlossman, has all your required Friday Reading for the upcoming series. [UND Hockey]
I emailed Roman midweek about the complete lack of coverage. I mean, if you can't click a few keys about this series, you or your editor need to rethink the amount of time you're spending covering the vollyball team...
ReplyDeleteCharlie I think you're right, you going to have to stop doing this, I can't keep agreeing with you all of the time. :)
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