UND Hockey: The Weekend Ahead (11/01-10/02)

The front entrance to Ralph Englested Arena in Grand Forks, ND. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This weekend, the University of North Dakota entertains Saint Cloud State University Huskies at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. This is the first NCHC home series for UND, this is also the first ever series NCHC for the SCSU Huskies.

Matchup: UND (2-1-1, 1-1-0 NCHC) vs. SCSU (3-0-1, 0-0-0 NCHC)

Date: November 1-2, 2013.

Time: 7:37 p.m. Friday / Saturday 7:07 p.m. Central.

Radio: UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox, Saturday Night: 100.3 Cat Country.

Webcast: undsports.com.

TV: Midco Sports Net (HD channel 622, SD channels 27 & 322).

Series History: UND leads the all-time series 60-33-12 (.629). In Grand Forks, ND UND leads the series 30-14-6 (.660). In St. Cloud, MN UND leads the series 24-18-6 (.563). At Neutral sites UND leads the series 6-1-0 (.857). Last 10-games UND leads the series 5-4-1 (.550). Last year SCSU went 2-1-1 against UND, including a 1-0-1 record at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Players to watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Rocco Grimaldi (2g-3a—5pts), Brendan O’Donnell (3g-1a—4pts), Drake Caggiula (2g-2a—4pts), Michael Parks (1g-3a—4pts), Luke Johnson (0g-3a—3pts), Mark MacMillan (1g-1a—2pts). Defense:  Nick Mattson (1g-1a—2pts), Gage Ausmus (1g0a—1pts),Jordan Schmaltz (0g-1a—1pts), Dillon Simpson (0g-1a—1pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 0-0-0, GAA 5.06 and .881 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 2-1-1, 2.60 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Huskies Forwards: Nic Dowd (3g-1a—4pts), Jonny Brodzinski (1g-3a—4pts) Kalle Kossila (1g-2a—3pts). Defense: Niklas Nevalainen (1g-2a—3pts), Ethan Prow (0g-3a—3pts), Kevin Gravel (1g-1a—2pts). Goaltenders: Ryan Faragher 3-0-0, 2.33 GAA, .912 save percentage, Charlie Lindgren 1-0-0, 1.86 GAA, .905 save percentage.

UND Official Web Page

Saint Cloud State University Web Page

Related articles

• Hump Day Links: UND versus SCSU (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Clash of the Titans: Miami Plays North Dakota for Weekend Set (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: North Dakota and Miami Split Inaugural Weekend (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: UND's beats Miami in Inaugural Game (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Versus U-18 Team Lines

UND Forward Lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell– 16 Mark MacMillan– 15 Michael Parks (A)
10 Adam Tambellini– 9 Drake Caggiula– 19 Rocco Grimaldi
25 Mitch MacMillan– 27 Luke Johnson– 17 Colten St. Clair
26 Coltyn Sanderson– 28 Stephane Pattyn (A) – 11 Derek Rodwell
13 Connor Gaarder

UND Defense Pairings

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

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
30 Matt Hrynkiw

Scratches: 22vAndrew Panzarella, 10 Wade Murphy, 29 Bryn Chyzyk

U-18 Forward Lines

21 Ryan Hitchcock – 19 Dylan Larkin – 7 Anders Bjork

27 Sonny Milano – 11 Jack Eichel – 17 Alex Tuch

9 Shane Gersich – 13 Ryan Wagner – 14 Dylan Pavelek

10 Joe Wegwerth – 18 Nolan Stevens – 15 Styler Sheehy

U-18 Defense Pairings

4 Ryan Bliss – 16 Johnathan MacLeod

24 Louie Belpedio – 8 Jack Glover

5 Brandon Fortunato – Jack Dougherty

28 Nathan Billitier – 6 Ryan Collins

U-18 Goalies

29 Edwin Minney

30 Jake Kielly

Scratches: Jared Fiegl, Blake Weyrick

Via @TheREA press release, REA and UND have reached an arrangement to reinstate @UNDMHockey shuttle bus services beginning Nov. 1 vs. SCSU.
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) October 25, 2013

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Dillon Simpson named Captain of the UND Hockey Team (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND Hockey: Two Headed Monster in Net for UND (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: North Dakota and Miami Split Inaugural Weekend (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: UND's beats Miami in Inaugural Game (thehockeywriters.com)

UND versus Miami game one

North Dakota Forward Lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
10 Adam Tambellini–9 Drake Caggiula–19 Rocco Grimaldi
29 Bryn Chyzyk–27 Luke Johnson–7 Wade Murphy
13 Connor Gaarder–28 Stephane Pattyn–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Dense Pairings

18 Dillon Simpson–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders 

Miami’s RedHawk Forward Lines

19 Max Cook–7 Austin Czarnik–11 Riley Barber
95 Anthony Louis–9 Sean Kuraly–10 Alex Wideman
14 Cody Murphy–25 Blake Coleman–20 Jimmy Mullin
22 Kevin Morris–26 Justin Greenberg–12 Alex Gacek

Miami Defense Pairing

5 Chris Joyaux–8 Matthew Caito

6 Michael Mooney–2 Taylor Richart
55 Trevor Hamilton–28 Ben Paulides

Miami Goalies

1 Jay Williams
35 Ryan McKay

Related articles

• UND Hockey: The Weekend Ahead (10/18-10/19) (insidehockey.com)
• Clash of the Titans: Miami Plays North Dakota for Weekend Set (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey: The Weekend Ahead (10/18-10/19)

This weekend, the University of North Dakota travels to Oxford, Ohio to take on the NCHC foe Miami University RedHawks in the inaugural weekend of NCHC hockey. The top-ranked Miami entertains UND in a two-game conference matchup at Googin Ice Center (Steve Cady Rink).

Matchup: UND (1-0-1, 0-0-0 NCHC) vs. Miami (2-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC)

Date: October 18-19, 2013.

Time: 6:07 p.m. Friday / Saturday 6:07 p.m. Central.

Radio: UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast: undsports.com and Miami University on Saturday.

TV: Midco Sports Net (HD channel 622, SD channels 27 & 322), 221 DirecTV, 158 HD Dish Network (Friday).

Series History: All-time: UND leads the series against the RedHawks 2-0-1. UND is 0-0-1 against the RedHawks in Grand Forks, ND. UND is 2-0-0 against the RedHawks at neutral sites.

Fun Stat: Miami University has been red hot at home, losing just three its last 29 home games. The University of North Dakota has lost just four of its last 31 home games.

Players to watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Rocco Grimaldi (2g-3a—5pts), Drake Caggiula (2g-2a—4pts), Mark MacMillan (1g-1a—2pts). Defense:  Nick Mattson (0g-1a—1pts), Jordan Schmaltz (0g-1a—1pts), Dillon Simpson (0g-a—0pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 0-0-0, GAA 7.22 and .824 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 1-0-1, 1.21 GAA and .955 save percentage.

Miami Forwards: Riley Barber (4g-3a—7pts), Austin Czarnik (2g-3a—5pts) Sean Kuraly (1g-3a—4pts). Defense: Trevor Hamilton (0g-3a—3pts), Ben Paulides (1g-1a—2pts), Mathew Caito (0g-2a—2pts). Goaltender: Jay Williams 1-0-0, 2.01 GAA, .929 save percentage, Ryan McKay 1-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .927 save percentage.

UND Official Web Page

Miami University Web Page

Both of those quotes about @UNDMHockey came from this preview piece by @DStarmanHockey: http://t.co/t9SagNHOVb
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) October 18, 2013

Big matchup this weekend: @goon48 and I jointly preview first-ever @TheNCHC game btwn @MiamiOH_Hockey & @UNDMHockey http://t.co/saP7XiwYCk
— Douglas Cutler (@DougCutlerTHW) October 17, 2013

Related articles

• Clash of the Titans: Miami Plays North Dakota for Weekend Set (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: 10 Must Follow Twitter Accounts (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: UND Hockey Players Love Shootout Option (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey vs. Vermont Catamounts Lines game two

UND forward Lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell – 27 Luke Johnson – 15 Michael Parks (A)

10 Adam Tambellini – 9 Drake Caggiula – 19 Rocco Grimaldi

28 Stephan Pattyn (A) – 13 Connor Gaarder – 17 Colton S. Clair

25 Mitch MacMillan –16 Mark MacMillan – 7 Wade Murphy

UND Defense Pairing

18 Dillon Simpson © – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

5 Nick Mattson – 6 Paul LaDue

4 Keaton Thompson – 2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg

Scratches for UND:, 11 Derek Rodwell,  20 Gage Ausmus , 22 Andrew Panzerella,

26 Coltyn Sanderson, 29 Bryn Chyzyk, 30 Matt Hrynkiw  UND goalies

Vermont Forward Lines 

20 Brendan Bradley – 17 Jake Fallon – 3 Chris McCarthy

23 Connor Brickley – 11 H.T. Lenz © - 6 Colin Markison

22 Brady Shaw –19 Matt White – 7 Tom Forgione

8 Jonathan Turk – 18 Robert Polesello – 29 Malcolm McKinney

Vermont Defense Pairings

26 Caylen Walls – 2 Michael Paliotta

5 Rob Hamilton – 4 Nick Bruneteau

24 Chris Muscoby – 15 Yvan Pattyn

Vermont Goalies

1 Mike Santaguida

30 Pat Feeley

NCAA Hockey: Lucia Wants to Revisit the Gentleman’s Agreement http://t.co/wos7sycby6
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) October 12, 2013

NCHC Hockey: 10 Must Follow Twitter Accounts http://t.co/CWMirIpUjl #hockey
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) October 11, 2013

Related articles

• UND Hockey: The Weekend Ahead (10/11-10/12) (insidehockey.com)
• UND Hockey: Two Headed Monster in Net for UND (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Slips Past Manitoba (insidehockey.com)
• UND Completes Comeback Against Vermont (insidehockey.com)

UND Hockey: The Weekend Ahead (10/11-10/12)

This weekend, the University of North Dakota entertains the Vermont University Catamounts in an non-conference series at the Ralph Engelstad Arena on October 11-12, 2013.

Matchup: UND (0-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) vs. Vermont (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Hockey East)

Date: October 11-12, 2013.

Time: 7:37 p.m. Friday / Saturday 7:07 p.m. Central.

Radio: UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.

Webcast: undsports.com

TV: Midco Sports Net (HD channel 622, SD channels 27 & 322)

Series History: All-time: UND leads the series against the Catamounts 2-0-0 (1.00). UND vs. UVM in Grand Forks: None.  UVM vs. UND in Burlington, VT: None.

Players to watch:

North Dakota: Forwards: Rocco Grimaldi (13g-23a—36pts), Mark MacMillan (13g-12a—25pts), Drake Caggiula (8g-8a—16pts). Defense: Dillon Simpson (5g-19a—24pts), Nick Mattson (3g-12a—15pts), Jordan Schmaltz (3g-9a—12pts). Goaltenders: Clarke Saunders 13-9-4, GAA 2.30 and .917 save percentage, Zane Gothberg 9-4-3, 2.46 GAA and .920 save percentage.

Vermont Forwards: Chris McCarthy (13g-18a—31pts), Jake Fallon (9g-13a—22pts), Matt While (6g-11a—17pts). Defense: Nick Luukko  (3g-7a—10pts), Michael Paliotta (1g-9a—10pts), Yvan Pattyn (3g-4a—7pts), Caylen Walls 2g-5a—7pts). Goaltender: Michael Santaguida 29-10-3, 2,28 GAA, .933 save percentage (Surrey Eagles, BCHL).

Vermont Injuries: Forward Kyle Reynolds (9g-11a—20pts) (out for the year injury), Goaltender Brody Hoffman 11-9-6, 2.86 GAA and .904 save percentage (injured did not make trip).

Fun fact: UND freshman forward Adam Tambellini played with Vermont goalie Michael Santaguida when they played for the Surrey Eagles of the British Columbia Hockey League.

UND Official Web Page

University of Vermont Web Page

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Two Headed Monster in Net for UND (thehockeywriters.com)

UND vs. Manitoba Lines

Forward Lines

Drake Caggiula – 9 - Mark MacMillan – 16 -  Rocco Grimaldi – 19

Adam Tambellini – 10 - Luke Johnson – 27 - Michael Parks – 15 (A)

Bryn Chyzyk – 29 - Stephane Pattyn – 28 (A)-  Colten St. Clair – 17

Brendan O’Donnell – 21 -  Connor Gaarder – 13 - Wade Murphy – 7

Defense Paring

Dillon Simpson – 18 ( C )- Jordan Schmaltz – 24

Nick Mattson – 5 - Paul LaDue – 6

Gage Ausmus – 20 - Troy Stecher – 2

Keaton Thompson – 4 - Andre Panzarella – 22

UND Goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg

Wednesday Links

College Hockey: Providence Goalie Giles making impression on the Flames. [Herald Hockey]

Thieves make off with Roberto Luongo’s tires, leave him with useless tire pump [Pass it to Bulis]

From the soon to be Brooklyn Islanders… Islanders' run of fan torture is unparalleled [The Sporting News]

Penguins Star Evgeni Malkin has a year left on his contract with the Penguins.. The Stars deny tampering with Penguins' Evgeni Malkin [CBC.CA]

Vikings News: Key stadium decisions put on hold until stadium authority reviews Wilf lawsuits and finances [Star and Tribune]

30 Teams, 30 days…. UND’s Jordan Schmaltz is ranked sixth for Blues prospects. [NHL.COM]

CHL president David Branch: Eliminating import players ‘never been discussed’ [Buzzing the Net]

UND recruit Christian Evers drafted by the London Knights

With the 99th overall pick, the London Knights are pleased to select Christian Evers in the 5th Round of the 2013 #OHLDraft!
— The London Knights (@GoLondonKnights) April 6, 2013

Being a high profile program, the University of North Dakota Hockey team has had some of their highly sought recruits decommit and go a different route.

It’s been highly documented as of late.

In August, right before the 2011-12 season, J.T. Miller decommitted from UND, and signed a signed with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League. Miller’s decommit put UND in a precarious situation. Without Miller, UND immediately became a different type of team.

In 61 games with the Plymouth Whalers, Miller scored (25g-37a—62). After his season with the Whalers was over, Miller played in eight games during the Calder Cup playoffs for the Connecticut Whale of the AHL.

This season, Miller was called up to the New York Rangers and scored two goals, leading the Rangers to a 4-1 victory.

Last January, USDT U18 recruit Stefan Matteau, who had originally committed to play at the University of North Dakota, decommitted from UND, and decided to play for the Blainville-Boisbraind Armada of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Matteau had a strong start to the season with the Armada (18g-10a—28pts) in 35 games and was invited to the New Jersey Devils camp once the NHL lockout was settled.

Matteau ended up playing in the Devils first five games of the season before being a healthy scratch for the next four games in a row.

The New Jersey Devils could have sent Matteau back to Blainville-Boisbraind, but instead he remained with the New Jersey Devils and last night he was skating on a line with former Fighting Sioux forward Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk to start the game.

Matteau has played 17 games with the New Jersey Devils this season, scoring (1g-2a—3pts). On the March 17, 2013, Matteau was returned to his junior team Blainville-Boisbraind Armada and has scored (1g-4a—5pts) in 6 QMJHL playoff games.

In April of 2012, Miles Koules announced that he had decommitted from the University of North Dakota and was going to be a member of the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL. In his first season with Medicine Hat, Koules recorded (19g-21a—40pts) in 69 games for the Tigers.

This past November, Brendan Lemieux, son of former NHL pest Claude Lemieux, left the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, decomitted from the University of North Dakota, and decided to play with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. In 42 games with the Colts, Lemieux scored an unimpressive (6g-8a—14pts).

We’re not done yet!

UND has two other recruits that have been drafted by the OHL clubs. Nick Schmaltz brother of current defenseman Jordan Schmaltz was drafted by the Windsor Spitfires last spring. Nick has not ruled out going to the Spitfires.

Also, today, UND recruit Christian Evers was drafted in the 5th round by the London Knights in the OHL Draft. Lets just say, UND fans are a little worried, based on past experience, if Evers will ever make it to UND. Evers is an impressive kid who is 6’4” and 200 pounds who will turn 16 on May 25, 2013. So you have to think, that the London Knights, will be hard after Christian Evers, to sign with them.

Evers had an impressive year with the Omaha AAA Hockey Club 16U team, scoring (17g-42—59pts) in 67 games. Evers tweeted this on his twitter account today.  So, only time will tell.

Can't wait to be apart of UND in a few years. That's what I mean when I said "Can't wait for things to play out." #SorryForTheConfusion
— Christian Evers (@CEvers97) April 6, 2013

Cross-posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.

Related articles

• UND recruit Christian Evers drafted by the London Knights (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Recruit Evers Drafted by Knights (insidehockey.com)

Derek Forbort to sign with Kings soon

Source says Derek Forbort signing with Kings is imminent. Could happen as soon as today. Three-year deal.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 5, 2013

I don't think this is a big shock to any of us that follow the UND hockey team, first round draft choices don't usually stay more than two to three seasons. As Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman had said in a recent blog post, the Kings don't want to take the risk of losing their first round draft choice.


The Mass exodus continues in Minneapolis.

So far the Gophers have lost Alt, Bjugstad, Schmidt, Budish to the pros and Larson who is transferring out.… Haula is most likely next.
— GPL (@GopherPuckLive) April 5, 2013

Related articles

• Some interesting tweets from today - early departures and signings (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Dillon Simpson to return for his senior season

For the number of you who seem to think I may be planning on leaving UND, I'm not going anywhere #senioryear
— Dillon Simpson (@Simmer18) April 4, 2013

UND Hockey fans breathed a sigh of relief today, as they got some really good news, soon to be senior defenseman Dillon Simpson tweeted that he will return for his senior year on his twitter account today. I  would have to think that Simpson would be a good candidate to wear a letter for UND next season. Simpson was the leading point scorer for defensmen last season with (5g-19a—24pts). In 114 games at North Dakota Simpson has scored (9g-43a—52pts).

Related articles

• Goon's 2012-13 Blogger All-WCHA Awards Poll (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND vs. Niagara Lines West Region

UND vs. Niagara Lines West Region

UND’s Forward lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell – 10 Corban Knight (A) – 7 Danny Kristo (A)

9 Drake Caggiula– 27 Carter Rowney (A) –19 Rocco Grimaldi

29 Bryn Chyzyk – 16 Mark MacMillan – 15 Michael Parks

13 Connor Gaarder – 28 Steph Pattyn – 17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – 18 Dillon Simpson

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

5 Nick Mattson – 20 Joe Gleason

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg

33 Clarke Saunders

35 Tate Maris

Not in lineup: 25 Mitch MacMillian, 8 Dan Senkbeil, 22 Andrew Panzarella, 11 Derek Rodwell, 26 Coltyn Sanderson.

UND vs. MTU game 1 WCHA playoffs

UND Forward Lines

21 Brendan O’Donnell–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)
19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Carter Rowney (A)–15 Michael Parks
25 Mitch MacMillan–16 Mark MacMillan–13 Connor Gaarder
11 Derek Rodwell–28 Stephane Pattyn–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defensive Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C)–18 Dillon Simpson
4 Derek Forbort–24 Jordan Schmaltz
22 Andrew Panzarella–20 Joe Gleason

UND goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders
35 Tate Maris

Not In the lineup: Nick Mattson (5), Dan Senkbeil (8), Drake Caggiula (9), Coltyln Sanderson (26),  Bryn Chyzyk (29).

Michigan Tech Huskies Forward lines

19 Blake Pietila–10 Tanner Kero–23 Alex Petan
12 Ryan Furne–8 Jacob Johnstone–14 Chad Pietila
15 David Johnstone–7 Jujhar Khaira–28 Milos Gordic
18 C.J. Eick–9 Dennis Rix–13 Aaron Pietila

Michigan Tech Huskies Defense Pairings

16 Steven Seigo (A) –34 Riley Sweeney
29 Walker Hyland–24 Daniel Sova
3 Bradley Stebner (A) –25 Carl Nielsen (C)

Michigan Tech Goalies

30 Jamie Phillips
31 Pheonix Copley

Refs:  Marco Hunt (15) , Derek Shepherd (3)  Lines Andy Kokken (70) Justin Hill (83).

Head of Officials Greg Shepherd is in the building

Related articles

• Goon's 2012-13 Blogger All-WCHA Awards Poll (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND hockey: Time for crunching numbers is over, it's crunch time (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND: The Weekend Ahead (3/15-3/17) (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 22 (insidehockey.com)