After a one-year hiatus, they're back. It's that series you mark on your calendar. In the past, the players have talked about this series even in the pre-season.
"Obviously, that Minnesota weekend, you have it circled on your calendar every time it pops up, and it's that's the big weekend," Keaton Verhoeff said.
This weekend, the UND hockey team entertains the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
This series is one for the ages. All of us have a memory or two that stands out.
Looking at the series record, the UND hockey team is 7-5-1 against the Gophers since November 4, 2016. Let's take a look at this historic series.
Who can forget the end of the game scrum? Former Gopher play-by-play announcer Frank Mazzocco with the call of the play, "It's a Zajac hit." There was a post-game scrum that spilled over to the handshake line. Joe Finley and Blake Wheeler got to know each other a little better after the game. Apparently, YouTube has put a warning label on it. (Here's the link)
On January 27, 2007, Robbie Bina tied the game with a 180-foot goal. UND would go on to win the game 7-3.
Former UND forward Chris Porter sends the Gophers packing in the 2007 West Regional, punching the UND's ticket to the Frozen Four.
February 8, 2008, T.J. Oshie with a sick move against the Gophers, unfortunately, he didn't score on the play.
March 15, 2010, North Dakota forward Matt Frattin receives a five-minute penalty for blowing up Minnesota’s d-man Kevin Wehrs. North Dakota play-by-play announcer Tim Hennessey would name that corner Wher's corner. This violent check would spark a minor skirmish.
De ju vu all over again on January 14, 2011, another period ending scrum between the Sioux and the Gophers. Gopher defenseman Kevin Whers gets blown up again as he meets Brad Malone in famous Wher's Corner. Keep your head up, son. (Here's the link).
Former UND goalie Drew Deridder didn't have much success against the Gophers when he played for Michigan State, but he did get one of his two career wins against them while playing for UND. This was also the game in which Rhett Pitlick threw his stick into the stands after scoring a goal and was given a 10-minute misconduct penalty. UND would score four unanswered goals following this move.
“I’ve had some challenging games in this building. Actually, my first win my freshman year at Michigan State was in this building,” DeRidder said. “This was amazing, and it’s good to finish it off like this.” (Rink Live)
Finally, let's remember to have fun this weekend —it's only a game.
No comments:
Post a Comment