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.