Dave Hakstol: We've Seen this Act Before

In the offseason, we saw head coach Dave Hakstol make the transition from the University of North Dakota to the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. Naturally, as a UND fan, I have watched Hakstol's Flyers with great interest this season. However, last season, I would've had to take a shower after saying that. Times have changed for me.

As a Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild fan I have to admit, that in the past, I hadn't been much of a Flyers fan. I've always looked at them as being a dirty team that happens to play in the Eastern conference. However, like many UND fans, I had to see how Hakstol's transition in Philadelphia, went. They Flyers have also piqued my interest. They're an exciting young team that plays the game the right way. They also have boughten into Hakstol's systems and are playing an exciting brand high-octane hockey.

So, during the season, I have watched the Flyers play a couple of times a week. I've even gotten eight-year-old daughter, semi-interested in Hak's Flyers. They're like our third favorite team.

During Hakstol's tenure at UND, his teams tended to start out slow and peak during the end of the season going into the playoffs. Hak's first season in Philly has also transpired the same way.

Sam Carchidi, Philly.Com -- After a slow start, the Flyers are 21-9-6 since returning from a winless West Coast trip after the holiday break. That type of upswing was part of the coach's resumé at North Dakota, where his teams showed marked improvement in the second half of the season.

In his 11 seasons at North Dakota, Hakstol's teams were 113-73-19 (.598) before Christmas and a staggering 176-69-24 (.699) after Christmas.

"There's so many different stories to those years," Hakstol said the other night. "We were building a completely new team every year, and I don't care how many players you have back; we had anywhere from half our team being rookies during that stretch to a veteran-laden team. But you're building a new team every year there. The same approach here: Show up. Work to win games. Work to get better. Every week, every month - and make sure you're playing your best hockey at the critical time of the year, which is now."

This season, the Flyers weren't expected to make the playoffs, and they were said to be missing a few key parts to make a run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think that Hakstol should be one of the top candidates for the Jack Adams Award for the NHL's coach of the year.

No matter what Hakstol's team does in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I think it's safe to say that he's found a home in Philadelphia.

Flyers Unhappy with Zac Rinaldo's hit on Sean Couturier

Looks like Zac Rinaldo is trying to out do Rafi Torres and Matt Cooke. I am not sure that's possible. He's giving his all. No, this hit wasn't clean. There's no defending it. Will there be a suspension, the NHL hasn't made a decision on the hit yet.

Correction here. NHL didn't made a final decision on #bruins Zac Rinaldo.

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) October 22, 2015

As a Bruins fan, I was disappointed when the team Acquired Zac Rinaldo from the Philadelphia Flyers. In 228 games, Rinaldo has scored (8g-16a—24pts). The oft-suspended forward has racked up an amazing 582 minutes in penalties. That’s the equivalent of Rinaldo spending almost 10 games in the penalty box during his first five seasons in the NHL.

In today's NHL, players like Rinaldo are a dying breed, there's will be no room on NHL rosters for the one-dimensional players that racks up penalty minutes and receives long-term suspensions for bad behavior. These players will soon be gone in the NHL.

In his short five-year NHL career, Rinaldo has also been suspended 14 games.

Jan 26, 2015 Suspended by the NHL for 8 games.
Apr 07, 2014 Suspended by the NHL for 4 games.
Feb 13, 2012 Suspended by the NHL for 2 games.
Feb 04, 2012 Fined $5,000 by the NHL.

Obviously, the Flyers aren't happy with the hit in question.

Sam Carchidi, Philly.com --- As the first period ended, former Flyer Rinaldo, his elbows up high, leveled Sean Couturier into the boards. It took Couturier a few minutes to get up, and he woozily skated to the locker room.

He did not return after suffering what general manager Ron Hextall called an upper-body injury.

Rinaldo, who had a penchant for bad penalties when he played with the Flyers, was assessed a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He is expected to receive his fourth career suspension.

The Flyers head coach wasn't very pleased with Rinaldo's check on Couturier. From Philly.com Flyers coach Dave Hakstol was fuming about the hit. "No place for it," he said.

Claude Giroux Talks About Coach Hakstol

Some have questioned whether Dave Hakstol would be able to connect with his players coming straight from the college coaching ranks to the NHL. This article might clear up those perceptions. Per Tim Wharnsby, NHL.com:

Giroux spoke with NHL.com about the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the Flyers, Briere and more in the following Q&A:

When the Flyers announced Dave Hakstol as their new coach, was there name recognition right away?

"I had no idea who he was. So right away I had to do some searching on the Internet. I talked with [general manager] Ron Hextall about him. Then [Hakstol] came to Ottawa to meet with me. "After I met him I was really excited and pumped to get the season started because of the way he sees the game and how humble he is. Most coaches would come into the NHL and say they know it all. But he told me that, "I’m going to learn, too, and that we going to be in this together." He wants this to be a team with everybody working together and on the same page. That's what you want."

As captain, what's the next step in the process with the new coach?

"After this I'm going to back to Philadelphia and we're going to have a series of meetings about what kind of team we want, what are we going to do to win a lot of games."

Dave Hakstol Named Head Coach of the Philadelphia Flyers

They say to be careful what you wish for. Coach  Dave Hakstol is moving on. The news broke this morning that Hakstol is going to be the next head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. For the fans that wanted Hakstol fired because his teams didn't win an NCAA title, you won't have Hak to kick around anymore. I must say personally, I am shocked. I don't think many saw this coming.


Official Press Release -- Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announced this morning that Dave Hakstol has been named the 19th head coach in Flyers history.

“Dave brings a wealth of head coaching experience and success to the Philadelphia Flyers organization,” said Hextall. “He’s a proven winner and we are pleased to have him become part of the Flyers family.”

“I am extremely excited to be named the Philadelphia Flyers new head coach,” said Hakstol. “Through the process here with Ron [Hextall] and everybody in the Flyers organization I have gained even more of an understanding of the history and tradition of this organization and I’m very proud to become part of the Philadelphia Flyers today.”

Hakstol, 46 (7/30/1968), comes to the Flyers from the University of North Dakota where he spent the last 11 seasons compiling an overall record of 289-143-43 with a .654 winning percentage in 475 games. In 2014-15, he led North Dakota to a 29-10-3 record with a .726 winning percentage and a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four.

North Dakota made the NCAA Tournament in every one of Hakstol’s 11 seasons and reached the Frozen Four seven times in that span, which is the most of any program in the country during that period. Hakstol led North Dakota to an overall postseason record of 54-24 for a .692 winning percentage, including a 17-11 record in the NCAA Tournament, during his tenure.

He joined the school’s coaching staff in 2000 as an assistant coach, and took over the head coaching job four years later. Under Hakstol’s watch, North Dakota won three regular season conference championships – two in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA, 2008-09, 2010-11) and one in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC, 2014-15).  North Dakota also won WCHA playoff championships in 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.  Hakstol received conference coach of the year honors twice, in the WCHA in 2008-09 and in the NCHC in 2014-15.  He was also an eight-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year.

Hakstol’s program has produced 20 NHL players and a total of 46 that have played professionally at some level. His former players include Jonathan Toews (CHI) and Matt Greene (LAK), each of whom have won two Stanley Cups since leaving the school, as well as T.J. Oshie (STL), Travis Zajac (NJD), Drew Stafford (BUF, WPG) and Chris VandeVelde (EDM, PHI). He has also had seven players named Hobey Baker Award finalists, including Ryan Duncan who won the award in 2007, and 11 players named All-Americans.

NCAA Frozen Four: UND Presser

At about the 12:30 mark the press conference starts. There were some things that stuck out today. Make no mistake about it, UND is on a business trip.

“It’s a real narrow focus here,” Zane McIntyre said. “We’re coming for business.”

Coach Hakstol was asked if he had any Instagram selfies. The answer is classic Hakstol.

“I’m working on it,” Hakstol said. “Maybe you can help me with that technology.”

NCHC Final Award Nominees and Redwing77's Predictions

By Redwing77

I haven't posted in a while and I thought I'd do this.  The NCHC announced its award finalists today.  I'm going to go through and give my opinion on as many of the nominees as I feel comfortable opining upon and finish each section up with my predicted winner.

Herb Brooks Coach of the Year Award

Finalist #1:  Dean Blais (UNO).  You can't really argue with his body of work over most of the regular season.  UNO was pretty dominant despite not having a real star studded lineup.  Ryan Massa returned from personal problems to be every other teams' personnel problem.  He was very hard to beat for most of the year.  Freshmen Tyler Vesel, Jake Randolph, and defenseman Luke Snuggerud were very nice surprises coming directly from the USHL (coincidentally all from the Omaha Lancers) and Austin Ortega was everything advertised.  Blais is no stranger to these types of awards.  Most UND fans who were around during Blais' tenure will attest to how good of a coach he is.  Oh yeah, going 12-8-4-3 with one of the youngest teams in the nation tends to garner attention too.

Finalist #2:  Dave Hakstol (UND).  Not bad for all the "he should be fired" crowd, eh?  He led UND to the Penrose Cup and won it by 6 points.  His team is among the NCAA leaders in a variety of statistical categories.  That being said, most coaches who win the conference regular season title will be on this list.

Finalist #3:  Scott Sandelin (UMD).  Despite finishing 5th in the NCHC, UMD is top 6 in the nation in ranking.  His team plays well and is a very solid opponent.

My Prediction:  I'd LOVE for it to be Dave Hakstol, but my feeling is that it will be Dean Blais.  For most of the season, it was neck and neck with UND and Miami for the Penrose and he did it with a younger team that was picked to finish 6th in preseason NCHC polls.

NCHC Rookie of the Year Award

Finalist #1:  Louie Belpedio (D - Miami):  I do not know much about this player.  However, according to his stats, he's done quite well.  10 points, +7, 21 blocked shots.  Not at all bad.

Finalist #2:  Patrick Russell (F - SCSU):  10g-10a-20pts.  He won 3 Rookie of the Week honors.  He was very noticable on the ice.

Finalist #3:  Danton Heinen (F- DU):  Heinen was the only of the three players listed I looked up as to where he came from (Surrey of the BCHL).  What a diamond find for the Pios.  Rookie of the Month and 4x Rookie of the Week winner, he led all rookie skaters in points.  His 26 points not only led all rookies but was good for 3rd overall in the conference.

My Prediction:  Hard for it NOT to be Heinen, so I will play it safe and say Danton Heinen.

NCHC Goaltender of the Year Award

Finalist #1:  Ryan Massa (UNO):  2nd team All Conference, great stats, miserable to play against.  League-best .933 Save% and 2nd best 2.12 GAA.  Nominee for the Mike Richter Award.  He is the only senior up for this award.

Finalist #2:  Zane McIntyre (UND):  Junior goaltender led the NCHC in win percentage (.708), wins (16), and saves (704).  First Team All Conference.  Mike Richter nominee.  2nd only to Massa in Save Percentage (.931).

Finalist #3:  Kasimir Kaskisuo (UMD):  A freshman.  How about out of the gate good?  24 starts (only other to do that is McIntyre), .918 Save%, and 2.27 GAA.  Again, as a freshman.  (As an aside:  How can he be a finalist for this award and NOT be a finalist for the NCHC Rookie of the Year award?)

My Prediction:  Zane McIntyre (UND).  Best goaltender in the NCHC and a big reason (perhaps THE reason) why UND is where it is.

NCHC Forward of the Year Award

Finalist #1:  Jonny Brodzinski (SCSU):  Rocket shot, 13 goals (tied for first), 2 game winners, NCHC leading Power Play scorer.  Patrick Russell may be "tomorrow" but Brodzinski is definitely TODAY. 13g-10a for just under 1 point per game in 24 games.  First Team All Conference

Finalist #2:  Austin Czarnik (Miami):  A measely 4 goals on the year (3 in one game ... 2 short handed..  against UND ARGH!!!!) but is among the NCAA leaders in assists (he led the NCHC in assists with 22). Second Team All Conference.  46 points in 24 games means over 1 PPG.

Finalist #3:  Trevor Moore (DU):  Sophomore.  First Team All Conference.  13g-17a-30pts.  Tied for league lead in goals but won the scoring title outright.  NCHC best +15 as well.

My Prediction: This one is hard.  I want to say Trevor Moore and it wouldn't be far fetched, but I'm going to go with Brodzinski.

NCHC Defenseman of the Year Award and Offensive Defensemen Awards

Look at the stats folks.  It's going to be Laleggia and it's not even close (13 point difference to be exact).

Defensive Forward of the Year

Czarnik reappears to join DU's Doremus and UND's Mark MacMillan.  Defensive statistics for Czarnik and MacMillan are virtually identical (2 shorties, 17 blocked shots with +/- being a bit different).

My Prediction:  Ok, I'm going full homer on this one because I honestly don't know who will win this one so I'll go with Mark MacMillan (UND).  All 3 are deserving in my opinion.

NCHC Player of the Year

Jonny Brodzinski (SCSU), Joey LaLeggia (DU), and Zane McIntyre (UND) are the finalists.  I'm going to go right to my prediction on this one and say it is Joey LaLeggia (DU).  YES, I know that McIntyre has been THE man all year but how often does a player who DOESN'T SCORE win the big award?  LaLeggia has the vote.  Look:  Best offensive defenseman by a LONG SHOT, great on defense.  He's the total package this year.  An opportunity to give the big award to a defensive player who can score.  Zane gets snubbed.

DU could be the biggest winner in the amount of awards won this year.

Just my two cents.

UND vs. DU Game One Lines - Links

Pretty much the same lines as last time out.

UND and DU Set to Faceoff http://t.co/DABryDmbwz pic.twitter.com/nWno12njb4
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) February 12, 2015

North Dakota vs. Denver, A Series Preview - http://t.co/VOr88BmWoT #NHL pic.twitter.com/45th78CNZF
— THW Hockey (@HockeyLinks) February 13, 2015

Fans can vote for UND's Mark MacMillan and Nick Mattson for the Senior CLASS Award: http://t.co/I7EkM1C16R #UNDproud pic.twitter.com/sWqcdUhBZb
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) February 13, 2015

http://t.co/e4GQr5zK1P has a piece on Brock Boeser's commitment to UND http://t.co/RGWU1DVma5
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) February 13, 2015

During Jim's absence, we have the utmost confidence in Dave Carle's ability to lead our student-athletes this weekend as they face UND (2/2)
— Ryan Peck (@Ryan_Peck) February 13, 2015

UND Hockey: Dave Hakstol mic'd up

I am not so sure that head coach Dave Hakstol would have done this 10 year ago, or even five years ago. I still watch with interest as Hakstol is interviewed on the bench during a hockey game.

UND Hockey: The Second Half Is upon Us

View image | gettyimages.com

The second half is upon us. This weekend, UND takes to the ice against the to rid themselves of some cobwebs. Next weekend, UND officially starts the second half of the season with an important two-game conference series against the UMD Bulldogs. UND Starts the second half off with a 13-4-2 record.
Year Before Xmas After Xmas
2004-05 13-7-2 (.636) 12-8-3 (.587)
2005-06 12-7-1 (.625) 17-9-0 (.654)
2006-07 7-10-1 (.417) 17-4-4 (.760)
2007-08 8-6-1 (.567) 20-5-3 (.768)
2008-09 9-8-1 (.528) 15-7-3 (.660)
2009-10 9-6-3 (.583) 16-7-2 (.680)
2010-11 13-5-2 (.700) 19-4-1 (.813)
2011-12 9-8-1 (.528) 17-5-2 (.750)
2012-13 10-5-3 (.639) 12-7-4 (.609)
2013-14 9-7-2 (.555) 16-7-1 (.688)
2014-15 13-4-2 (.737) ---"?"
Totals 113-73-19 (.598) 160-63-23 (.697)

UND vs. UNO - Game 2 Lines

North Dakota Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan (A)–15 Michael Parks (A)

3 Tucker Poolman –27 Luke Johnson–8 Nick Schmaltz
28 Stephane Pattyn (C)– 10 Johnny Simonson  – 17 Colten St. Clair

11 Trevor Olson– 13 Connor Gaarder (A) –14 Austin Poganski

North Dakota Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher

Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson –22 Andrew Panzarella

North Dakota Goalies  

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson

Omaha-Nebraska Forward Lines

13 Jake Randolph–10 Tyler Vesel–25 Justin Parizek

12 David Pope–Avery Peterson–18 Jono Davis
20 Jake Guentzel–14 Dominic Zombo–16 Austin Ortega
17 Luke Nogard–19 Tanner Lane–23 Grant Gallo

Nebraska-Omaha Defense Pairings

2 Brian Cooper–5 Joel Messner

4 Luc Snuggerud–28 Brian O’Rourke
3 Brian Rideout—24 Ian Brady

Nebraska-Omaha Goalies

31 Ryan Massa

29 Kirk Thompson

Hakstol Has His Game Face on Already

UND vs. SCSU game one lines

UND Forward Lines

16 Mark MacMillan (A)–9 Drake Caggiula–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–27 Luke Johnson–7 Wade Murphy
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A)–17 Colten St. Clair
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–14 Austin Poganski

UND Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
6 Paul LaDue–3 Tucker Poolman
4 Keaton Thompson–24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson

Huskies Forward Lines

9 Joey Benik–22 Jonny Brodzinski–13 David Morley
16 Jimmy Murray–11 Kalle Kossila–63 Patrick Russell
42 Blake Winiecki–17 Judd Peterson–2 Jarrod Rabey
27 Nick Oliver–37 Joe Rehkamp–21 Brooks Bertsch

Huskies Defense Pairings

28 Andrew Prochno–40 Tim Daly
5 Nathan Widman–12 Ethan Prow
4 Ben Storm–26 Mika Ilvonen

Huskies Goalies

35 Charlie Lindgren
45 Rasmus Reijola
33 Joseph Phillippi

TV info for @UNDMhockey at SCSU: Fox Sports North Plus, Fox College Sports Pacific, NCHCtv. Check your local listings for channel line-up.
— UND Insider (@undinsider) November 21, 2014

North Dakota vs. Miami - Game Two

UND Forward Lines

16 Mark MacMillan (A)–9 Drake Caggiula–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–27 Luke Johnson–7 Wade Murphy
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A)–17 Colten St. Clair
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–11 Trevor Olson

UND Defense Pairings

20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
4 Keaton Thompson–24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Miami RedHawk Forward Lines

22 Kevin Morris–26 Justin Greenberg–33 Andrew Schmit
14 Cody Murphy–25 Blake Coleman–42 Conor Lemirande
95 Anthony Louis–9 Sean Kuraly–12 Alex Gacek
10 Alex Wideman–7 Austin Czarnik–11 Riley Barber

Miami Defense Pairings

58 Louie Belpedio–8 Matthew Caito
5 Chris Joyaux–28 Ben Paulides
27 Scott Dornbrock–2 Taylor Richart

Miami Goalies

35 Ryan McKay
1 Jay Williams

Reminder that tonight's game can be seen live on @MidcoSN, FOX College Sports Central, DirecTV (ch. 608-1) and DISH Network (ch. 447).
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 15, 2014

North Dakota vs. Miami Lines - Game One

UND Forward Lines

28 Stephane Pattyn–27 Luke Johnson–11 Trevor Olson
16 Mark MacMillan–9 Drake Caggiula–15 Michael Parks
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–14 Austin Poganski
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Pairings

6 Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
4 Keaton Thompson–3 Tucker Poolman

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Miami RedHawk Forward lines

22 Kevin Morris–26 Justin Greenberg–33 Andrew Schmit
14 Cody Murphy–25 Blake Coleman–42 Conor Lemirande
95 Anthony Louis–9 Sean Kuraly–12 Alex Gacek
10 Alex Wideman–7 Austin Czarnik–11 Riley Barber

Miami RedHawk Defense Pairings

58 Louie Belpedio–8 Matthew Caito
5 Chris Joyaux–28 Ben Paulides
27 Scott Dornbrock–2 Taylor Richart

Miami RedHawk Goalies

1 Jay Williams
35 Ryan McKay

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Miami, Series Preview(thehockeywriters.com)

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More Bad News for UND: Nick Schmaltz Is out Indefinitely

UND's task just got a little taller this weekend.UND will be without three of their top players when they take against NCHC foe Miami on Friday night.

Last season, UND suffered a rash of injuries in October and November.

UND's injury list now includes, Mark MacMillan (5g-2a—7pts), Nick Schmaltz (1g-7a—8pts), Paul LaDue (3g-5a—8pts). MacMillan and Schmaltz are out indefinitely.

Dave Hakstol says freshman forward Nick Schmaltz is out indefinitely. No new updates on Mark MacMillan or Paul LaDue.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) November 12, 2014

Related articles

• Mark MacMillan out indefinitely following wrist surgery(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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• North Dakota Beats Providence in Grand Forks(insidehockey.com)

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UND sweeps UW in Madison

North Dakota Sweeps Bucky

The University of North Dakota swept the Wisconsin Badgers in convincing fashion beating them 4-3 on Friday night and then blitzing them 5-1 on Saturday night.

On Saturday, North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre stopped 23-of-24 shots and UND got five goals from five different players (Luke Johnson, Drake Caggiula, Brendan O’Donnell, Troy Stecher, Gage Ausmus) to finish the sweep against the Badgers.

From the historical stats department: With Saturday’s victory over Wisconsin, UND (7-1-1) is unbeaten in eight games (7-0-1). With the road win, UND improves 5-0-0 on the road for the first time since the 1980-81 season.

Finally, UND is 6-0-1 in their past seven games against the Badgers.

Wrapping up another @UNDMHockey sweep #NDProud #SiouxSweep pic.twitter.com/S4EJSHLZ0S
— Stay A Sioux (@StayaSioux) November 9, 2014

Related articles

• (Video) Zane McIntyre's 10-Bell Save(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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(Video) Zane McIntyre's 10-Bell Save

I thought the goaltending was pretty good this weekend. Defensively, UND was also pretty good all weekend long. UND has only given up two even strength goals since the season opener against Bemidji State.

UND allowed 3 even-strength goals in the season-opener, has allowed 2 even-strength goals in the five games since.
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 26, 2014

Highlights of North Dakota's 2-2 tie with Providence on Satur... http://t.co/i7USlaRNv5
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 26, 2014

Mark MacMillan out indefinitely following wrist surgery

The UND hockey team received some bad news today. 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head men’s hockey coach Dave Hakstol announced today that senior forward Mark MacMillan will be out indefinitely after undergoing wrist surgery on Saturday morning in Grand Forks.

MacMillan, a native of Penticton, British Columbia, was injured late in the second period of Friday’s game against Providence when a skate blade came into contact with his left arm causing a laceration to the wrist.

A fourth-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2010, MacMillan leads UND with five goals in five games and is tied for the team scoring lead with seven points. He has appeared in 127 career games and leads all active UND skaters in goals (35), assists (46) and points (81).

Related articles

• UND Must Move Past Frozen Four Loss

UND Blitzes Providence College 6-1

After being run out of their own building two weeks earlier, UND used a balanced attack and scored six goals by six different players to beat the Providence College Friars 6-1 at Ralph Englestad Arena. 

UND's penalty-kill set the tone as the Friars went 0-for-9 on the man advantage and gave up a short-hand goal.

This game was supposed to be a goaltending battle between Zane McIntyre and Jon Gillies. However, UND chased the Friars All-American goalie after two periods of play, putting four pucks past him. Sophomore goalie Nick Ellis relieved Gillies at the start of the third period and UND put two more pucks past him as well. 

Head coach Dave Hakstol was asked how UND was able to get four goals past Gillies.

“We got a little bit of traffic (in front of him) and scored a couple of rebound goals,” Hakstol said. "Nothing fancy at all. We were in the right spot at the right time. Did the right things and fortunate to get a couple by him.”

UND dominated the Hockey East preseason favorite, but the UND head coach was quick to give his opponent credit. 

“They’re a good hockey team and they’re going to make plays and they did that,” Hakstol said. “Our guys showed up tonight and played hard tonight.”

The story of the game was the play of junior forward Drake Caggiula who scored a short-handed goal and three assists. After the game, Caggiula broke down UND's game plan.  

“We just played our game,” Caggiula said. “UND hockey is playing fast, playing physical, and just overall being hard to play against and that’s what we did all night long.”     

When Caggiula was asked about UND's success on the penalty-kill and why they have scored four short-handed goals in five games, he had this to say. 

“That’s the way we penalty kill,” Caggiula said. “We’re aggressive, and when the opportunity is there we’re more than welcome to take that opportunity. They always preach if the opportunity is there to take it. When we’re so aggressive we just create turnovers and we have been lucky so far and got a couple of short-handed goals off of it. We have to keep doing that.”  

Junior forward Bryn Chyzyk likes playing on the penalty-kill and gave his explanation on why UND is scoring so many short-handed goals. 

“We’re getting a couple of bounces, and getting some odd man rushes,” Chyzyk said. “We’re always pressuring pucks up at the blue line. We’re just pressuring pucks and a couple of bounces are hopping over their D-men and were taking advantage of that. Hopefully that will continue.” 

With the Win UND improves to 4-1-0. The loss drops Providence to 1-2-0 on the season. 

Same two teams tomorrow night at 7:07 pm CT. 

(Box Score) 

UND vs Providence College Lines - Links

UND Forward Lines

28 Stephane Pattyn (C)–16 Mark MacMillan (A) –15 Michael Parks(A)
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder (A) –27 Luke Johnson
9 Drake Caggiula–8 Nick Schmaltz–11 Trevor Olson
29 Bryn Chyzyk–10 Johnny Simonson–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defensive Pairing

6 Paul LaDue–24 Jordan Schmaltz
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher
5 Nick Mattson–3 Tucker Poolman

UND Goalies

31 Zane McIntyre
33 Cam Johnson
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Providence Forward Lines

22 Brandon Tanev–24 Noel Acciari (C) –15 Steven McParland
12 Stefan Demopoulos–14 Ross Mauermann (C)–26 Brian Pinho
29 Conor MacPhee–21 Kevin Rooney–11 Niko Rufo
20 Shane Luke–18 Nick Saracino–9 Trevor Mingoia

Providence Defensive Parings

5 Kyle McKenzie–16 Anthony Florentino
19 Jake Walman–4 Mark Adams
3 John Gilmour–27 Josh Monk

Providence Goalies

32 Jon Gillies
35 Nick Ellis

NCAA Women's Hockey Morning Skate: October 24th, 2014 - http://t.co/69us2LhN8Q #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/KYLsWQlg99
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 24, 2014

North Dakota and Providence Take Center Stage http://t.co/iecafIVFAl #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 24, 2014

UND getting much more than it bargained for with the Providence series http://t.co/jUI54Bs0D3
— Brad E. Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 24, 2014