Charlie McAvoy Should Expect a Call From the NHL's DoPS

Monday in Boston, at the 09:28 mark of the third period, Boston Bruins D-Man Charlie McAvoy was given a 5-minute match penalty for this hit on Oliver Ekman-Larsson. It was an unnecessary, dirty hit, there was no reason for this hit. For his efforts, McAvoy will probably get at least a one or two-game suspension. Luckily, it didn't cost the Bruins the game. 

Charlie McAvoy can expect a call from Player Safety tomorrow... maybe he should plan a short vacation, say, 3-4 games or so.

Match penalty for the hit. Suspension should be incoming.pic.twitter.com/CdWzQnVq6a

— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) October 31, 2023

The Bruins were able to kill the penalty and rallied for a 3-2 win in overtime. Bruins forward Pavel Zacha scored the game-winning goal at the 3:36 mark of overtime. What a beautiful goal by Zacha.

Pavel Zacha wins it in overtime for the Bruins. pic.twitter.com/n13FiVVcgU

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) October 31, 2023

UND head coach Brad Berry; 'Sweep or Workout'

The UND hockey team is a storied program, and a very high standard has been set. Fans expect conference and national championships. The UND coaching staff has set a very high standard for their players. Weekend home series are expected to end in sweeps, when they don’t sweep there’s a consequence.

“We have a thing here where we do post-game workouts, coach Berry said. “If we don’t sweep, you get swept, you only win one game – you have to do a workout. If you sweep you don’t have to do a workout. it. At the end of the day, I said to the guys, the standard is the standard, we’re going to get in the weight room, and we’re going to work out.”

While a win and a tie against a top opponent is a good weekend; however, it’s not the standard at UND. Following this weekend’s win and a tie, the Hawks were back in the weight room doing a workout.

“They’re in there right now,” Berry said. We didn’t lose this weekend. We won and we tied. We always talk about the standard is the standard and the standard is sweep. You don’t have to work out. I think there was disappointment. I asked the guys I opened it up to them. The guys said they’re teed off. They’re disappointed. That’s good. I think that’s great. It was a lost opportunity that we didn’t, didn’t get the closeout for a sweep this weekend. That tells you that the guys are thinking about the standard or want to get to that standard. I think that’s good to have that kind of teed-off mentality and know that we didn’t get two wins instead of a win and a tie.

 

UND Graduate Forward Hunter Johannes is Turning Heads

This season, if you have watched the UND hockey team play, you will have noticed number 28, Graduate Forward Hunter Johannes. After five games, Johannes is UND's leading goal scorer. He scored UND's first goal of the season, a shorthanded goal. Two of his four goals are shorthanded goals, that also leads UND.  Are you noticing a theme here? Johannes is finding ways to get it done. 

Friday night, entering the second period, UND held a comfortable 4-0 lead over Minnesota State.  At the 9:55 mark of the second period, Johannes would score his fourth goal of the year, to give UND an even more comfortable 5-0 lead. 

This guy just loves scoring goals! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/nQ8qqYwjj5

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 28, 2023

                  

In the post-game press conference, I asked UND head coach Brad Berry if he expected Johannes to be leading the team in goals after five games? 

"Probably didn't think it early on, Berry said. "When he came in here (last January) ... he played at Lindenwood.  He scored against all of the good teams. He scored against us, Denver, Minnesota. He scored against a lot of good teams. So, it's not surprising. The other thing that's not surprising is his work ethic and how he plays so fast.  He makes other teams turn pucks over and he is powerful. When you put all that together, recipe for having a good start."

Johannes works hard in practice and in the weight room. His efforts have shown up in the box scores as goals. That's a good way to stay in the lineup. 

"He's a worker in the weight room," Berry said. "I think he was a guy growing up that never got a lot of accolades or a lot of attention. He's out to prove to people that he can play and that he's doing a good job."

Flyers Rookie Bobby Brink Scores His First Two NHL Goals

What an amazing night for Philadelphia Flyers Rookie Bobby Brink who scored his first and second NHL goals against the hometown Minnesota Wild. 

At the 9:52 mark of the second period, Brink would score his first career goal on the power play to give the Flyers a 3-0 lead.

Now you're gonna get your first @NHL goal, Bobby! #MINvsPHI | @BobbyBrink19 pic.twitter.com/OKjiIe4JON

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 27, 2023

His head coach John Tortorella congratulated him on the bench.

We love a proud Torts. 🧡🖤#MINvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/E58bF05ctr

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 27, 2023

Brink wasn't satisfied with scoring one goal, at the 11:02 mark of the third period, Brink scored his second career goal to give the Flyers a 5-2 lead. 

Brink kept pushing, in the waning moments of the third period, he almost scored his third goal of the game.

Scoring is so nice, @BobbyBrink19 decided to do it twice. #MINvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/sesRFT1Yj6

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 27, 2023

In six games during the 2023-24 season, Brink has scored (2g-2a--4pts). 

Finally, Brink was voted the first star of the game. 

Bruins Rookie Matthew Poitras Outshines Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard in Head-to-Head Matchup

Connor Bedard Who? 

On Tuesday night, the Boston Bruins played the Chicago Blackhawks on ESPN. All game long, the play-by-play announcer Sean Sean McDonough and his broadcast partner went on, and on about how great Connor Bedard is. It would have been a good drinking game; every time Bedard's name is mentioned, take a drink. You would've been bombed by the end of the second period. It was annoying. 

Yes, Bedard is a good player, but he might even be the best rookie in the NHL. There are other rookies in the NHL with a lot of talent, i.e., Matthew Nies, Loagan Cooley, and Matthew Poitras. 

While the ESPN announcers were foaming at the mouth about Bedard, Bruins Rookie Matthew Poitras scored his third goal in his last two games. With that goal, Poitras has (3g-1--4pts) the same amount as the points as Blackhawks rookie Bedard (2g-2a--4pts). How about a little more balance in your broadcasts. 

THE KID CAN FLY 💨 pic.twitter.com/vI2wCXWhYA

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 25, 2023

UPDATE: In the rookie scoring race. Bedard is tied with Poitras and Arizona Coyotes Rookie Logan Cooley. 

UND Struggles on the Power Play

Last season, the UND power play ended the season ranked second in the nation, ironically, behind this week’s opponent Minnesota State. Last season, UND was a juggernaut on the power play, they scored 27.3 percent of their power plays. This season it’s a different story. Early on, the UND hockey team has struggled on the power play. 

Through four games, UND’s power play is ranked 54th nationally, and has scored a single power-play goal, and is currently sitting at 5.6 percent. While UND isn’t satisfied with their power play, the coaching staff isn’t going to panic UND captain Riese Gaber isn’t worried about the power play.

“I don’t think it’s anything, just chemistry, Gaber said after Friday’s game against Minnesota. “Like I said, we’re all good players and capable of making plays, it’s just not clicking right now, but I’m confident that we’ll get clicking.”

From the interesting fact department; UND’s next opponent sits just below UND and is ranked 55th nationally on the power play. You have to think that both teams will eventually figure it out.

From the fun fact department, UND has scored more short-handed goals than they have power play goals. To date, UND has scored two short-handed goals, that's tied for second nationally. Hunter Johannes has scored both short-handed goals for UND.  (Link to More)

Johannes gets us rolling again! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/CSA17ZJZs2

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 14, 2023

Highlights From Minnesota vs. North Dakota Game 2

On Saturday night, the University of North Dakota Hockey split their weekend series with the Minnesota Gophers (0-4 L, 2-1 W). Here are some highlights from Saturday's game. It was a much better effort for UND on Saturday night. 

Gophers Break Through with a Goal

 

The Gophers would get one back with a goal from Jaxon Nelson. That's all the scoring we would have. UND would hold on in the end to take game two of the series against their Big-Ten foe Minnesota.  With the win, UND improved to 3-1. Up next the Minnesota State Mavericks. 

📢 Jaxon Nelson gets the Gophers within 1.#MidcoSports | @GopherHockey pic.twitter.com/PgLf6xDiQa

— Midco Sports (@MidcoSports) October 22, 2023

Jake Livanavage Scores His First Collegiate Goal

Another night of firsts: Jake Livanavage scores his first career goal and it's 2-0 UND. Assist from Riese Gaber and Dylan James.

.@JLivanavage On the backhand 🚨#MidcoSports | @UNDmhockey pic.twitter.com/gBZa9kEybs

— Midco Sports (@MidcoSports) October 22, 2023

Jayden Perron Goal 

Jayden Perron scores UND's first goal of the weekend, a tip-in goal. That's goal number two on the season for the freshman forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Perron with the tip and we are off-and-running!#UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/rSpzOhJwOh

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 22, 2023

Ludvig Perrson Comes Up Big 

UND goalie Ludvig Perrson with an amazing save. That's using your head, right?

Now that's using your head, Ludvig! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/on9yTSRRE2

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 21, 2023

Student Lineup Early 

The UND students were at the Ralph early waiting in line.

More than an hour before doors open at @TheREA for No. 5 @UNDmhockey 🆚 No. 1 @GopherHockey. Here’s how the student entrance is looking before game two. pic.twitter.com/zAS0LzD2tF

— Taylor Budge - Midco Sports (@TBudgeMidco) October 21, 2023

UMN vs. UND: A Look Back, Frattin Blows Up Wehrs

A trip down memory lane. Sometimes, UND radio play-by-play announcer Tim Hennesey will refer to the right side of the north end boards as Wehr's corner. There's a reason for this. See the Video embedded below. 

On March 14, 2010, the UND hockey team was playing the Minnesota Gophers in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. In game three, at the 4:42 mark of the second period, UND forward Matt Frattin would check Gopher's D-man Kevin Wehrs violently. I would call it a textbook charging major. Wehrs would leave the game, with an injury. We'd later find out that Wehrs suffered a minor concussion. 

Frattin would receive a five-minute major penalty for contact to the head. To the Gopher fans' disgust, Frattin was not given a game disqualification, but was later suspended by the WCHA and would miss the first game of the Final Five. Frattin would serve his major penalty and return to the game. In the third period, Frattin would score his 9th goal of the season.

Frattin said in the post-game that he was trying to fire his team up with a big hit. 

UND would beat Minnesota 4-1 to eliminate the Gophers and advance to the WCHA Final Five. 

 

A Quick Look at Jayden Perron

 The University of North Dakota has some exciting freshmen on their team this season. Here's a preview of what UND fans are going to see this season. Introducing Jayden Perron, forward, Carolina Hurricanes third-round draft choice. 

Perron with a nifty one for his first! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/aGGe63izyH

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 8, 2023

Last weekend against Army, this one counted for real.  

Well, at least his first one was memorable!#UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/RmVyve4Ha4

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) October 14, 2023

Here's the scouting report on Perron.

He’s a cerebral playmaker with the puck, utilizing a deke when necessary but also having the maturity to delay when he’s outnumbered. He’s a dangerous stickhandler and can turn a careless reach from a defender into a high-quality scoring chance for himself or a teammate. He plays nicely away from the puck in the offensive zone, especially as the high man, where he keeps his feet moving in an attempt to lose coverage before swooping down when his linemates get possession. -EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide