Is UND the Best Team in College Hockey?

This past weekend, you might have seen Miami head coach Anthony Noreen’s comments about the UND hockey team. On Saturday, during his post-game media availability, he was very complimentary of what he saw from UND in their two-game conference series. 

Coach Noreen’s statements may have caused a stir on X.com. If I had a vote, Noreen would be the coach of the year for what he’s done with his RedHawks team. This brings up the question: Is UND the best team in college hockey? Yes, I know the two Michigan teams will want to have a say in this discussion. Yes, they’re very good teams playing in a bad conference. UND isn’t playing in the Big Ten. The NCHC “could” legitimately have five teams in the NCAA Tournament if one of the lower teams advances from the NCHC playoffs. UND, WMU, and DU are probably already in. UMD looks like it could be a lock as well. 

First, UND isn’t a one-line team; they are getting balanced scoring from all four lines. They have eight players with 20 or more points; four of them have 25 or more. Three players have 14 or more goals, and senior forward Dylan James could be a 20-goal scorer. Defensively, UND is third nationally in shots against per game. 

Here are two of Coach Noreen’s quotes. 

“That’s the best team in the country, right there,” Noreen said. “Top to bottom, they play hard, they’re physical, they’re skilled. Up front, back end, goaltending. They’re as complete a team as we’ve seen. Honestly, a lot like what we felt when we played Western last year.”

“They’re a tremendous team, and I felt those were some of the best guys we have in the league,” Noreen said.

While it’s probably a little early to predict who ends up on top of the college world at the end of the season, the UND hockey team is going to be in the mix at the end of the season. In 29 games, they’re 23-7-0 (.766) 15-5-0 NCHC. UND’s players have regained the UND identity and are playing a team-first game. No one appears to be above the program, and I haven’t heard much "me, me, me" this season. That goes a long way in having a winning team. I didn’t see that last season. 

“If you look up and down our forward group, our goalies, our defensive core, we’re at our best when every single line is playing, and there’s not one line on our team that can’t play against the top line on any other team in the nation, defenseman Abram Wiebe said. “That’s something that we have, we’re so deep.

“We got no quit in our game, as you saw tonight, not the greatest first two periods, but we just stuck with it, and there wasn’t any doubt in the room. We all had confidence that we were going to come back and win that game, and that’s exactly what we did. So this kind of shows what our identity is this year, and just being able to use that heading into next weekend and games for the rest of the season as well.”

One thing is for certain: the UND hockey team is sitting much better than it was at this time last year. They’ve solidified their NCAA tournament fate; it’s just a matter of where they end up seated. Since January of 2026, NoDak is 9-3-0, including three series sweeps. With the series sweep of Miami, they inched closer to another Penrose Cup. I would take a wait-and-see attitude. The NCAA tourney is a war, and there are a few teams that could come out on top, maybe even the 16th seed. I do think that UND could end up in Las Vegas in April. 

Looking at the Numbers

UND is ranked 3rd in the all-important NPI Rankings

UND is ranked 5th nationally in Goals Against.

UND is tied for 4th in Goals Against Per Game

UND is tied for 4th in Goals Per Game

UND is tied for 4th in Goal Scoring.

UND is 3rd nationally in Shots Against Per Game. 

UND is ranked 6th nationally in Power Play Efficiency 

UND is tied for 4th in Short Handed Goals 

UND is ranked 6th nationally in Face Off Percentage 

Stick Tap to College Hockey News for their fabulous stats section. 

If you look at the numbers, UND is much better off than it was last season. They’re going to be in the NCAA tourney, and there’s a good chance they could end up as a top-four seed. They've played a tough schedule and amassed an impressive 22-7-0 record. Only time will tell where they end up at the end of the season. 

pic.twitter.com/y4XtTtEpv0

— USCHO.com (@USCHO) February 16, 2026

GLI: Alex Gillies Goal (Reviewed goal)

Michigan Tech forward, Alex Gillies scored this goal at 08:44 mark of the third period of game one of the Great Lakes invitational. After a long review, it was ruled a good goal.

Watching the video, you can see that Michigan State head coach Tom Anastos wasn't very happy with the call. I don't think Gillies interfered with Spartans goalie Jake Hildebrand. I also think that Hildebrand thought that he had the puck frozen. What do you think, good goal or not?

Big 10 Follow-Up

Frustrations have mounted since the Gophers loss to Union (7-4)
in the National Championship game

Before the holiday break, I took a look at the Big 10 conference after reading an article on USCHO that made me laugh on how stricken from reality they were. Now with more games under the conference's belt and only one month left in the season, well before playoffs, let us take another look at the conference and why it could possibly be just as terrible as the Atlantic Hockey Conference.

Let's start with the obvious, the should be conference power houses(Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan) are sitting at the bottom of the league, with the exception of Michigan who is the conference leader. Between Wisconsin and Minnesota (last and 4th respectively) their combined inter conference record is 3-8-5, with all the victories belonging to Minnesota, and two of which came against Wisconsin.

Their conference non-conference record is nothing to write home about either. In fact, it is one of the worst in all of NCAA hockey. The overall record is 38-43-7, very detrimental to their conference hopes in the Pairwise rankings when it comes time to make the NCAA tournament brackets. So basically if you want to make the NCAA tournament out of the Big 10, you have to win the Big 10 tournament. The only team within the top 16 in Pairwise right now is Michigan, but at 14 they are on the bubble, especially with the 16 seed probably going to the Atlantic Hockey auto bid.

Looking at the overall records, you have one team below 500 tied for second in the conference, Michigan State (10-11-2), at 16 points with Penn State. Yes that's right Penn State. Between them and Michigan, they are really the only good things the conference has going for them right now.

The Big 10 should have kept their noses out of college hockey, yes I know it will lead to more expansion in the coming years, but right now the lack of competition is frustrating fans to the point where it is getting tough for conference teams to get people to their arenas to watch them play. If things do not change soon, they will be the cellar conference behind Atlantic Hockey.

What to Make of Big 10

In an article posted on USCHO, they were quoted with saying that the Big 10 Conference isn't all that bad, and that they are one of the stronger conferences in all of college hockey. Let us just take a look at the numbers to see if we can back-up the USCHO article shall we.

First off, there is only one, yes ONE Big 10 team in the USCHO top 20 and that is Minnesota at number three, which is just a bit too generous. Even though their last game was an exhibition against the USA development team, they still lost, which would mark three losses in a row for the Golden Gophers. If they are able to stay at three after three losses in a row, why did Michigan Tech, from the WCHA, drop big time after getting swept by Mankato last weekend?

Now we have the struggling Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin has yet to win a game this season, and has looked terrible in a majority of their contests this season. Last season's Big 10 tournament champions have lost nine in a row, dating back to last seasons NCAA tournament loss to North Dakota, where again they were extremely outplayed.

Just two teams in the conference have winning records this season, Penn State (7-3-2) and Minnesota (7-3-0). Lets see how many ranked opponents each team has beat, starting with Penn State. Penn State holds one of their seven victories over a top 10 opponent, and that is number four UMass Lowell where they won 4-1. Yes they did split with Michigan too, but is Michigan just known and talked about because of their historic name and coach this year? Penn State's last contest was an 8-1 loss to Michigan, making me wonder if they can compete with the big boys for real. Minnesota has had some struggles against other ranked opponents this season as well. In three games against number eight Minnesota-Duluth, they are 1-2-0 and have been outscored 8-5 in the series. They also hold a split against number 16 St. Cloud State and barely pulled off the overtime victory on home ice in the weekend series.

Conference play finally started this past weekend, with four of the six teams in action. Each team won one and lost one game, not showing any powerhouses throughout the conference. If you look inside the conference, Minnesota will probably be the only team with any chance at the NCAA tournament, but with their sloppy play as of late makes me wonder if they will have to win their conference to do it.

Taking a look at Michigan State, they seem to have what it takes to be competitive with their opponents, but doesn't quite have what it takes to finish games on a consistent basis. They most recently played number 12 Boston College and lost the decision 3-2. They could play upset once it comes conference tournament time, but that could be about it.

Finally, Ohio State has had one early season win worthy of note, and that is against Providence, who probably was a tad overrated at the time. Other than that, the Buckeyes have not looked anything but average at best making me wonder how they made it to the Big 10 championship last season.

The Big 10 is a conference that created a lot of drama once it entered college hockey last season, and ruined many great college hockey rivalries that fans have grown to love over the past four decades. With a sub 500 non conference record in almost a year and a half in existence, does the Big 10 deserve to be called one of college hockey's top conferences like some think it should be?

(video) The legend of Torey Krug keeps growing; four goals five games.

The Boston Bruins signed Torey Krug out of Michigan State as a free agent after the 2011-12 season. The move by the Boston Bruins really looks like a smart move. Breaking it down further, Krug has been red hot since getting recalled by the Boston Bruins, scoring (4g-1a—5pts)and in five playoff games. So thank you Michigan State.

@bruinsdaily You know how we say thank you Kessel, how about thank you Michigan State for producing Torey Krug...
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) May 25, 2013

Related articles

• Torey Krug and Carl Hagelin goals; Rangers vs Bruins game (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• (Video) Torey Krug scores his second goal in two games for the Bruins (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Second Round: Former College Hockey Players in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs (5/21/2013)

Here is the list of NHL hockey players that are currently playing in the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs that have played college hockey (Division I & III).

The players are listed by their NHL team. These are players that have played in at least “one” Stanley Cup Playoff game during in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. I have also listed their point totals as well.

 This list doesn’t include players from teams that have been eliminated. The list doesn’t include players that are currently injured, or on their teams roster, but haven’t played in the Stanley Cup Playoff games yet.  I will update the list as much as I can.

 Points Lead changes hands

 Former Vermont Catamout forward Patrick Sharp leads all former college hockey players with (6g-4a—10pts). In second place, Wisconsin Badgers forward Joe Pavelski, (4g-5a—9pts) is tied with former Gopher defenseman Paul Martin (2g-7a—9pts). In fourth place former Ferris State forward Chris Kunitz, (3g-4a—7pts) is tied with Notre Dame forward Erik Condra (1g-6a—7pts).

 The Wisconsin Badgers are well represented in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs; if my math is correct they have six players that are still currently playing in the second round of the SCP.

 If I have forgotten a player on this list feel free to drop me a line at hegoon48@gra.midco.net

 Boston Bruins (3)

Torey Krug, D, Michigan State, 2GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Matt Bartkowski, D, Ohio State, 4GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Richard Peverley, F, St. Lawrence University, 8GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

 Chicago Blackhawks (6)

Patrick Sharp, F, Vermont, 8GP, (6g-4a—10pts)

Duncan Keith, D, Michigan State, 8GP, (1g-5a—6pts)

Jonathon Toews, F, North Dakota, 8GP, (0g-3a—3pts)

Nick Leddy, D, Minnesota, 8GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Victor Stalberg, F, Vermont, 6GP, (0G-1A—1pts)

Brandon Bollig, F, St. Lawrence, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

 Detroit Red Wings (6)

Gustav Nyquist, F, Maine, 10GP, (2g-2a—4pts)

Brendan Smith, F, Wisconsin, 10GP, (2g-2a—4pts)

Justin Abdelkader, F, Michigan State, 8GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Patrick Eaves, F, Boston College, 9GP, (0g-2a—1pts)

Danny Dekeyser, D, Western Michigan, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Jimmy Howard, G, Maine, 6-4, .923 SV%, 2.43 GAA

 LA Kings (4)

Dustin Penner, F, Maine, 9GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Alec Martinez, D, Miami, 9Gp, (0g-2a—2tps)

Rob Scuderi, D, Boston College, 9GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Jonathan Quick, UMass, 8GP, 6-3, .947 SV% 1.60 GAA

New York Rangers (6)

Carl Hagelin, F, Michigan, 9GP, (2g-3a—5pts)

Brian Boyle, F, Boston College, 8GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Derek Stepan, F, Wisconsin, 9GP, (3g-0a—2pts)

Ryan McDonagh, D, Wisconsin, 9GP, (1g-1a—2pts)

Chris Kreider, F, Boston College, 5GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Darroll Powe, F, Princeton, 3GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Ottawa Senators (6)

Erik Condra, F, Notre Dame, 8GP, (1g-6a—7pts)

Kyle Turris, F, Wisconsin, 8GP, (4g-2a—6pts)

Cory Conacher, F, Canisius College 7GP, (3g-0a—3pts)

Colin Greening, F, Cornell, 8GP, (3g-0a—3pts)  

Eric Gryba, D, Boston University, 4Gp, (0g-0a—0pts)

Patrick Wiercioch, D, Denver, 1GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

 Pittsburgh Penguins (9)

Paul Martin, D, Minnesota, 9GP, (2g-7a—9pts)

Chris Kunitz, F, Ferris State, 9GP, (3g-5a—8pts)

Douglas Murray, D, Cornell, 9GP, (2g-1a—3pts)

Mark Eaton, D, Notre Dame, 5GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Matt Niskanen, D, Duluth, 9GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Craig Adams, F, Harvard, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tanner Glass, F, Dartmouth, 5GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Beau Bennett, F, Denver, 3GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

Brooks Orpik, D, Boston College, 6GP, (1g-0a—1pts)

San Jose Sharks (8)

Joe Pavelski, F, Wisconsin, 7GP, (4g-5a—9pts)

Dan Boyle, D, Miami, 7GP, (2g-3a—5pts)

Tommy Wingels, F, Miami, 7GP, (0g-2a—2pts)

Justin Braun, D, UMass, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Matt Irwin, D, UMass, 7GP, (0g-1a—1pts)

Tim Kennedy, F, Michigan State, 2GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Adam Burish, F, Wisconsin, 4GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

T.J. Galiardi, F, Dartmouth, 7GP, (0g-0a—0pts)

Cross-posted @ the Hockey Writers Combine.