Nick Bjugstad's Sick Shootout Goal

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher Nick Bjugstad scores a sick game-wining shootout goal for the Florida Panthers against the Washington Capitals. The shootout in question went 20 rounds before the Panthers ended up winning the game.

Hump Day Links: UND versus SCSU

Good Morning UND Nation... The first NCHC home series is almost here. Yay! Here are some the things that are taking place in the college hockey world.

Utah (ECHL) has received G Aaron Dell (@UNDMHockey) from Norfolk (AHL).
— Let's Play Hockey (@LetsPlay_Hockey) October 30, 2013

Nick Bjugstad #FLAPanthers #NHL article RT @MLewsy11: new article http://t.co/tRUyPWUJ8L…
— Ben Hankinson (@benhankinson) October 30, 2013

#WMUHockey team excited to host Colorado College in Broncos' first #NCHC series | http://t.co/HDDTsFPpCe
— David Drew (@Drew_on_WMU) October 30, 2013

With the #RedSox in the World Series people forget about the #Bruins #THW #hockey http://t.co/KOihShhEh8 via @thehockeywriter
— Mark Graham (@MarkWGraham) October 30, 2013

@CDHendricks22 Yeah, no TV in this area for the series. You can get it on PPV on the web. More on UND's TV situation http://t.co/bXjmsjRRUn
— Mick Hatten (@MickHatten) October 30, 2013

SCSU men's hockey practice Tuesday as the #huskies prepare for UND series #scsuhockey @ Herb Brooks… http://t.co/uyGgNI1fb0
— Mick Hatten (@MickHatten) October 29, 2013

Rocco Grimaldi's North Dakota Strong jersey goes for $1,710 in the auction to raise money for breast cancer research.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) October 29, 2013

You can almost buy packages to both the B1G and NCHC tourneys (9 games) in MSP for the same price as the West Regional a week later.
— Nate Wells (@gopherstate) October 29, 2013

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: 10 Must Follow Twitter Accounts (thehockeywriters.com)
• Name the NCHC tourney. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCHC Hockey: UND Hockey Players Love Shootout Option (thehockeywriters.com)

Erik Haula has signed with the Minnesota Wild

#Gophers forward Erik Haula has signed an entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild.
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 7, 2013

It's been a tough spring for the Minnesota Gophers as they have lost a ton of offensive scoring from last season's team that went 26-9-5 and finished tied for first in the WCHA.

#Gopher captain Zach Budish has signed a amateur tryout deal with the Milwaukee Admirals. gophersports.com/sports/m-hocke…
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 3, 2013

The Gophers have now lost 5 juniors from their lineup that was the third ranked offense in the NCAA this past season. Nate Schmidt (9g-23a—32pts), Zach Budish (14g-22a—32pts), Nick Bjugstad (21g-15a—36pts), Erik Haula (16g-35a—51pts), Mark Alt (0g-7a—7pts). If math is correct that is 158 points from the Minnesota Gophers lineup.

#Gophers Nate Schmidt has signed a 2-year entry level deal with the @washcaps.
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 2, 2013

According to @weissfcMark Alt has signed with Philadelphia.
— GPL (@GopherPuckLive) April 5, 2013

Some interesting tweets from today - early departures and signings

#LAKings GM Dean Lombardi confirms the plan is to try and get 2010 first rd pick defenseman Derek Forbort inked in the next few days.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 3, 2013

Lombardi not talking SCSU players, they're still playing in NCAA tourney.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 3, 2013

#LAKings Lombardi also says he'll be mtg w/ several other college prospects- namely Michael Mersch and Nick Shore- to see about signing.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) April 3, 2013

Nick Bjugstad has signed with the @flapanthers. Mass exodus from the U right now #gophers. As of yesterday, Erik Haula wasn't imminent
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 3, 2013

#Gophers RT @flapanthers: Tallon spoke to media. Said @nbjugstad72 will practice with #FlaPanthers Friday and make NHL debut Saturday.
— Gopher Hockey (@GopherHockey) April 3, 2013

Leafs very high on this guy RT @koshtorontosun: #Leafs sign D Andrew MacWilliam, chosen 188th overall in 2008. 4 seasons at North Dakota
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) April 3, 2013

MacWilliam, Kristo sign NHL deals with rivals Leafs, Habs bit.ly/14P9gLD
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 4, 2013

Kristo's cap hit will be $875,000 ($65,000 AHL salary). Signing bonus of $87,500. Other bonuses possible as well.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) April 3, 2013

Related articles

• UND 2012-13 hockey season post-mortem (thehockeywriters.com)

Clarification on the Nick Bjugstad goal

I just got off the phone with the head of officials… According to Greg Shepherd Head of Officials for the WCHA, the Boston goalie Parker Milner’s momentum carried him into the net; he wasn’t touched by the Minnesota players so that’s why it was called a goal. If Milner had been touched, it would have been ruled no goal. Now you know the rest of the story

Related articles

• Nick Bjugstad goal and Kyle Rau hit (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Nick Bjugstad goal and Kyle Rau hit

Someone tell me why the goal by Nick Bjugstad is goal is not a violation of the rules.

83.6 Disallowed Goals - An apparent goal shall not be allowed by the Referee in any of the following cases:

• Any action by the attacking team that propels the goaltender into the goal with the puck.

Also, I know Brad Shepherd is the official, but you have to watch this. How does Kyle Rau not get an elbowing penalty on this play…? Unless, I am not seeing this video right, I agree with the B.C. penalty but I think the refs missed a call again. Discussion, tell me what you think.

Related articles

• Eriah Hayes Hit On Kyle Rau (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Raubenheimer Hit From Behind On Bjugstad

UNO forward Zahn Raubenheimer was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Minnesota junior forward Nick Bjugstad. I don't have a problem with the penalty being a major penalty and it's a call that the refs should be making. You can't hit a player into the board is you can see his numbers and his name tag.

EDIT: Easton - The Art of Scoring Series: Meet Scott Bjugstad

Some familiar faces in this video. Zach Parise, former Fighting Sioux forward and current Minnesota Wild forward, if they ever end the lockout. Scott Bjugstad is the uncle of Gopher forward Nick Bjugstad. The kid in the video, is Anthony Walsh who has been profiled on this blog twice.

Canucks may have an interest in Gophers Bjugstad

Getty Images

Yesterday I included a link to this story in one of my blog posts.

This is one of the reasons that I think that the Gophers are lucky to have Nick Bjugstad back with them this season. There are many that believe that Bjugstad could play in the NHL this season and that he is NHL ready.

Ben Kuzma, The Province --- Nick Bjugstad is not Patrick White.

While the centres are first-round NHL draft picks and products of the heavily scrutinized University of Minnesota program, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Bjugstad is coming off a 25-goal NCAA sophomore season and it’s not surprising that the Vancouver Canucks have rumoured interest in the 20-year-old as a possible return from the Florida Panthers in a Roberto Luongo trade package. The previous regime had that level of interest in the 2007 draft when White was a surprise 25th overall selection — one pick before the St. Louis Blues took David Perron — but he never played a game for the Canucks. White never had more than nine goals in his three college seasons, was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2009 and spent last season in the third division of the German Oberliga. It was a clear draft-day miss.

However, as much as scouts will tell you that Bjugstad is a can’t-miss prospect whose career is on fast forward, he’s rightfully returning for another season with the Golden Gophers. He has yet to complete a full NCAA season, battled a pair of injuries last season and his production dropped in the second half after 16 goals in his first 20 games.

While Gopher and WCHA fans are lucky that we get to see the young Bjugstad play a final season in the WCHA… You can almost bet that Bjugstad will be signing an entry level deal as soon as the Gophers are eliminated from in the regional the NCAA tourney.

Dog Days of Summer Links...

This summer has been slower hockey news wise than last summer – not a lot has happened this summer – last summer the college hockey world blew up, with the formation of the NCHC. Another two leagues, merged to form the nWCHA.

A lot of people are also watching the 2012 Summer Olynpics... I also must admit, that I have not watched any of the Olympics except for the woman's volleyball game yesterday between the USA and Brazil.

Looks like former Boston College Eagles Cory Schneider is going to be the man between the pipes for the Vancouver Cancuks and Roberto Luongo could be headed to South Florida. The fact the Panthers aren’t going to trade Gopher forward Nick Bjugstad also show how much they like the young forward.

Kevin Allen, USA Today --- 2. Roberto Luongo hasn't been traded: The Florida Panthers are the best fit for the Vancouver Canucks goalie, but GM Dale Tallon won't give up prized prospect Nick Bjugstad to land him. The Panthers are as excited about his potential as they are about Jonathan Huberdeau. Bjugstad is playing at the University of Minnesota and seems ready to play in the NHL. Luongo was popular when he played in Florida before, plus he could be the lift the team needs to offset big moves by the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. Canucks GM Mike Gillis is acting as if he is willing to go into the season with Luongo on his roster. But that would clearly be an uncomfortable situation with Cory Schneider seemingly set to be No. 1. Plus, no GM wants a $5.333 million cap hit as his backup goalie. Keep in mind that the Toronto Maple Leafs still are interested in upgrading their goaltending.

Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson is coming back to the Ottawa Senators for a 17th season, Alfredsson is 39-years-old and will turn 40 on December 11, 2012.

Redwing77’s favorite over-hyped goalie Cristobal Huet wants to play in the NHL after spending two seasons playing hockey in Europe.

Nail Yakupov, the Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick is going to play in the 2012 Canada-Russia Challenge in Yaroslavl and Halifax, N.S., in August. The Oilers have gotten the first over-all pick in the past three drafts.

David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail asked the question if revenue sharing is the only way to avoid a lockout?

It is clear from union sources that whenever it is made, the players’ proposal will suggest far more revenue sharing between the league’s richest and poorest teams.

“It’s a key component of the system we have now and will be a key component of any system we have in place,” said former player Mathieu Schneider, special assistant to NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr. “If the overall goal is the health of the entire league, then there needs to be some meaningful revenue sharing.”

When he was head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, Fehr was the architect of the revenue sharing that was introduced in 1996. Now, 48 per cent of the revenue of MLB teams is subject to revenue sharing, which includes 31 per cent of the richest teams` local revenue.

It will be interesting to see if the bigger/richer teams will buy into revenue sharing or not?

Former SCSU Husky Matt Hendricks and former Fighting Sioux forward Zach Parise both think highly of the Capitals new head coach Adam Oates. The former Boston Bruins and RPI forward was an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils last season.

Katie Carrera, Washington Post --- Matt Hendricks, who resides in his native Minnesota during the offseason, said he’s eager to work with the Hall of Famer. Before the hiring was even official, Hendricks received a strong endorsement of Oates from fellow Minnesotan Zach Parise when the two played in a charity game together.

Parise “said he had an incredible time working with him and that he learned a lot,” Hendricks said in a phone interview this month. “That’s definitely a good and impressive thing to hear coming from Zach Parise.”

Hendricks added that everything Oates said about ratcheting up the offensive game and playing a style similar to what the Devils and Kings displayed in the Stanley Cup final is appealing.

A Tradition of Excellence has the former Fighting Sioux players and who is left to be signed. Looks like Jason Blake and Mike Commodore are the two remaining players yet to be signed both are unrestricted free agents.

Jason Blake Anaheim UFA
Taylor Chorney Edmonton UFA St. Louis 1 Year, 2-Way Contract
Mike Commodore Tampa Bay UFA
Matt Frattin Toronto RFA Toronto 2 Years, $1.7 Million
Chay Genoway Minnesota RFA Minnesota 2 Years, 2-Way Contract
Brian Lee Tampa Bay RFA Tampa Bay 2 Years, $2.3 Million
T.J. Oshie St Louis RFA St. Louis 5 Years, $20.9 Million
Zach Parise New Jersey UFA Minnesota 13 Years, $98 Million
Chris Porter St Louis UFA St. Louis 1 Year, 2-Way Contract
Chris VandeVelde Edmonton RFA Edmonton 1 Year, 2-Way Contract
Matt Watkins Phoenix UFA NY Islanders 1 Year, 2-Way Contract

Brian Skrudland not concerned with Bjudstads development at Minnesota

Miami Herald photo

Guy Flaming co-host of the Pipeline show 1260 A.M. out of Edmonton, Alberta interviewed Brian Skrudland the Director of Player Development for the Florida Panthers. Guy asked Skrudland  if Bjugstad staying in Minnesota for another year would hurt his development as a hockey player. Here is what Skrudland had to say about the matter.

I'm not sure so I asked Brian Skrudland the question to see if the Panthers organization shared the same concern.

"Well... that is a concern," Skrudland admitted, "But when you've got such a quality organization as [the University of] Minnesota has provided there... the off ice strength and conditioning coach, Cal Dietz, has done a fabulous job with Nick. There are a lot of positive things about him going back. The only negative is that he won't be wearing a Panthers jersey and helping us score some goals next year."

"It's an opportunity for him to finish something that he started and we love that as far as the character of the person," continued Skrudland, "And it's an opportunity to go back and maybe win the Hobey Baker and hopefully a national championship as well."

It would appear that the Florida Panther don’t have the same concerns about Minnesota like Garth Snow of the New York Islanders had. That being said, it would appear that the Panthers wanted Nick Bjudstad to sign a professional contract.

Just for the record Guy Flaming and Dean Millard are very fair hosts and are by no shape of the imagination anti-NCAA hockey but in this case I also think that Guy might have a point…

Flaming posed this question Bjugstad… “Could his progress stagnate, or even regress, playing at a level that in many ways, he is already a dominant player?”

I think that is a good question and only time will tell – I think the Gophers will definitely benefit from another season of having Nick Bjugstad on their roster and his presence will make them one of the top teams to beat in the WCHA this season if the Gophers can figure out who is going to be the man between the pipes for the Gophers.

[click to listen to podcast]

Nick Bjugstad returns to the Gophers

The Minnesota Gophers got some good news yesterday when they learned that their power forward Nick Bjugstad will be returning for his junior season. With the return of Bjugstad the Gophers are going to have the target on their back.

Lets not kid ourselves, Bjugstad is one of the better forwards in the WCHA and could’ve signed a entry level professional contract this summer if he wanted to.

Recently while listening to the P.A. show on KFAN 100.3 at the end of June,  the host Paul Allen had Michael Russo of the Star and Tribune on the show with him.

During that segment in question Russo said that if Bjugstad did in fact sign an entry level deal, he would probably would start the season in the AHL based on who the Panthers had on their roster. It also sounds like the Panthers were in no rush to sign the young Minnesota forward.

The upside is with Bjugstad staying in college, it doesn't hurt his development at all, he is going to play against older players. The Gophers also win because they don't to rush another forward in to take his place in the line up and they keep their coveted forward for one more season.

There is one loser in the equation - it's bad for WCHA goalies - who he could be lighting up for 20+ goals this season - Bjugstad had 25 last season. 

Gopher Sports --- Minnesota junior Nick Bjugstad announced today that he is returning to the Golden Gopher hockey team for the 2012-13 season.

"This is the right spot for me," said Bjugstad. "I am going to be close to finishing my education and hopefully can accomplish the goal that I have had ever since I was little, which is winning a national championship. We are going to have a good team this year and hopefully get another chance at the national championship and make a run there. I feel I can develop here and become more of a leader on the team as well. Hopefully, I will have a good season."

The 6’5”, 211-pound center from Blaine, Minn., was named All-WCHA First Team and Second-Team All-American after recording 42 points in 40 games as a sophomore. He led Minnesota with 25 goals (tied for fifth in the nation) and also added 17 assists as he finished third on the team in points. His 25 goals were the most scored by a Gopher since Ryan Potulny had 38 in 2005-06. Minnesota was 20-6-1 when he had a point last season.

Bjugstad, who will turn 20 next Tuesday, recorded 21 of his points (9g-12a) in 16 road games and he had a point in 13 of 16 games away from Mariucci Arena. He was +21 on the season and tied for second on the team in power-play goals (8). He also led the team in shooting percentage (17.2%) and faceoffs (of players who have taken more than 50 faceoffs) with a 57.9% success rate.

Based on what has happened recently in College hockey Nick Bjugstad returning to the Golden Gophers for another season is a win for college hockey. It's rare that we get to see a highly talented blue chip players stay more than two seasons – this is exciting for college hockey fans – in the past highly talented first round draft choices rarely if ever stay more than two seasons.

Bjugstad goes back to college

Panthers prospect forward Nick Bjugstad, who was believed to have a chance at making the team this year, has decided to return to the University of Minnesota for his junior season and put his pro career on hold.

“We told him to weigh the pros and cons,’’ Tallon said. “Either way we stick by him and support him. He has a brilliant future for us and I’m excited for whenever it starts.’’

Another $900,000.00 Question – Does Nick Bjugstad sign with the Florida Panthers?

I’ve been monitoring the Twitter traffic the past couple of weeks and one of the main topics of discussion amongst Gopher fans is; will Golden Gopher forward Nick Bjugstad sign an entry level contract with the Florida Panthers? From everything that I have read, it appears that Bjugstad wowed them in South Florida this past week and was a man among boys.

Bjugstad "if" he signs will get the rookie max - money probably isn't' the concern - the big decision is whether he wants to leave college two years early and begin his professional career - which according to Michale Russo of the Star Tribune, will probably be in the AHL, because the Panthers are stacked with forwards.

I think Bjugstad is a great hockey prospect and doesn't have a lot to prove in college so I wouldn't be surprised if he signed a professional contract. So we wait, just like we did with the past few summers. I am sure we will hear which way he is leaning in the next couple of weeks. 

Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel --- Panthers prospect Nick Bjugstad firmly denied that the Panthers had made him any contract offers or that he had turned down any (that a source told me yesterday). He will talk to his family about his decision in the coming days and hopes to decide over the next two weeks. Bjugstad has looked like a man among boys at this camp. Ditto for Jonathan Huberdeau who wowed the fans and teammates with a spectacular shootout goal today in which he turned his back on the goalie before switching from backhand to forehand and backhand for a score between the five-hole.

Sioux vs. Gophers game notes

Image via Wikipedia

The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux play the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the semi-finals of the Red Baron WCHA Final Five at the Xcel Energy Center.

Game Time: 7:07 pm Friday.

Television: FOX Sports North, DirecTV 668.

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet: WCHA.COM

Records and Rankings: 

The UND Fighting Sioux (23-12-3) UND is ranked 12^th in the USCHO and 12^th in the USA Today Poll. The Fighting Sioux beat the Saint Cloud State Huskies (4-1) in the quarter finals of the Red Baron WCHA Final Five.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (26-12-1); is ranked 4^th in the latest USCHO poll and 4^th in the USA Today Poll. Minnesota swept the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves in the first round of the WCHA playoffs (2-1 W, 7-3 W).

Series History:  The Minnesota Golden Gophers have compiled a 143-129-14 record against the  North Dakota Fighting Sioux in 286 games. The Gophers won the 2011-12 regular season series by winning three out of four games.

 Players to Watch: 

For UND: Forwards: Danny Kristo (18-24a—42pts), Corbin Knight (14g-22a—36pts) and Brock Nelson (25g-17a—42pts). Defense: Nick Mattson (6g-12a—18pts), Dillon Simpson, (2g-15a—17pts), Ben Blood (3g-16a—19pts).  Goaltenders: Aaron Dell .899 save percentage and a  2.73 goals against average. Brad Eidsness .920 save percentage and a 2.17 goals against average.

UND Injuries: Taylor Dickin is out (lower body injury), forward Rocco Grimaldi is out (season knee surgery), Brendan O’Donnell is out (season ending surgery), Derek Rodwell is out (season shoulder surgery).

For the Gophers: Forwards: Erik Haula (19g-25a—44pts) Kyle Rau (16g-20a—36pts), Nick Bjugstad 24g-16a—40pts), Zach Budish (11g-19a—30pts). Defense: Nate Schmidt (3g-33a—36pts), Mark Alt (5g-17a—22pts). Goalie: Kent Patterson .914 save percentage and a 2.12 goals against average.

Related articles

• Sioux grind out 4-1 win against Huskies (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: March 8, 2012 (insidehockey.com)
• Goon's WCHA Power Rankings 3/04/2012 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND vs. SCSU game notes (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UMN runs past UND 6-2

Grand Forks, ND – The University of North Dakota and the University of Minnesota have had some epic battles over the years, and the opening game of this series was no different as UND gutted out a 2-1 win.

The second game of the series would turn out to be a one that the UND Hockey team will want to wipe from their memory bank as soon as possible.

Saturday night’s game was the last time that UND and UMN will play a regular season WCHA game in Ralph Englestad Arena, due to the formation of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and the Big Ten Hockey Conference, both teams will leave the WCHA and go their separate ways. It’s unknown at this time when Minnesota will make a return trip to the Ralph Englestad Arena. It could be some time before the two teams play in the Ralph again.

Due to the fact that this was the last regular season WCHA match-up at the Ralph Englestad Arena, “ever” between North Dakota and Minnesota, tonight’s game should’ve had all of the makings of an instant classic, the game would turn out to be a stinker for the team from North Dakota.

Coming into tonight’s game UND and UMN were teams going in different directions, counting last night’s win against Minnesota UND had gone 10-3-1 in the last 14 games since they were swept by the Gophers at Mariucci Arena back on November 5^th, 2011. Even with the loss in tonight’s game UND has still put together a pretty nice run of 10-4-1 in the last fifteen games.

Not all is lost for the team from Grand Forks.

The Minnesota Gophers had lost three games in a row coming into tonight's game and had gone 6-7-1 in the last 14 games since sweeping North Dakota in Mariucci Arena. Minnesota would break that three game losing streak tonight with an impressive 6-2 win. What was more impressive with Minnesota’s win tonight was that they only scored one goal on the power play four even strength goals and one short handed marker).

The Gophers would come out during the first period with a lot of jump in their step, the Gophers were connecting on their passes and flying through the neutral zone with speed uncontested as the UND defenders didn’t have an answer for the Gophers speed and at times appeared to be standing around flat footed, watching the Gophers make plays.

The Gophers would easily race to a very comfortable 4-0 lead before the game was even 23 minutes old.

The Gopher’s top line of Kyle Rau, Nick Bjugstad and Zach Budish would lead the charge for the Golden Gophers out of the gate. Rau and Bjugstad would add two more points to their already impressive season stats totals before the first period was over.  While Zach Budish was the only one on the top line to not get any points during tonight’s game, Nick Bjugstad said that, “ Zach Budish played good and I don’t know if he got any points but he still played very well.“ The moral of the story is, if you don't pay attention to the Rau, Bjugstad, Budish line you could be in for a long night.

After getting beat to the puck and losing a lot of physical battles the night before the Gophers appeared to be a different team on Saturday night. Gopher forward Nick Bjugstad said, “that we played physical, we were blocking shots and doing all the things that we needed to do.”

If there is one positive to take out of tonight’s game, it’s UND’s penalty kill. During the regular season series between UMN and UND; UND killed 19/21 of Minnesota’s power play opportunities. That’s not a small feat considering who the Gophers have in their lineup.


The UND bench called a timeout at the 18:51 mark of the second period to settle the young UND team down, and it appeared to work for a while as UND got two quick goals by Michael Parks and Danny Kristo.
However, shortly thereafter, Minnesota returned to dismantling UND, as the Gophers added four unanswered goals to the score sheet. Six Minnesota Gophers players would finish the night with at least two points.

All around, it was not a good night for North Dakota as they were beat to the loose pucks all night long a
nd just seemed to be a step off. UND had no answer to the Gophers transition game.

After the game, UND head coach Dave Hakstol was asked what his team did differently today.

“I thought we were a step slow. I noticed that the way our team was playing, it was pretty evident early on,” Hakstol said. “We weren’t sharp with pucks in terms of completing passes and pushing pucks up ice, and the simple things, as far as even dumping pucks to good areas that we could forecheck.

“We just weren’t sharp.”

UND travels to St Cloud State next weekend to play the Huskies in a two-game WCHA series.

Box Score

Cross Posted at INSIDE HOCKEY...

Related articles

• Minnesota routs North Dakota 6-2 (mysanantonio.com)
• UND vs. UMN series notes (mvn.com)
• North Dakota edges Minnesota 2-1 (mvn.com)

UND vs. UMN game two

UND Forward Lines 

29 Brock Nelson–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo
9 Mario Lamoureux (C) – 27 Carter Rowney – 14 Taylor Dickin
21 Brendan O’Donnell–16 Mark MacMillan–13 Connor Gaarder
8 Dan Senkbeil–28 Stephane Pattyn–15 Michael Parks

UND Defense Paring

18 Dillon Simpson–24 Ben Blood (A)
2 Andrew MacWilliam (A) – 5 Nick Mattson
20 Joe Gleason–22 Andrew Panzarella


UND Goalies 

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness
35 Tate Maris

Scratches: Derek Rodwell (shoulder), Roco Grimaldi (Knee) 4 Derek Forbort (undisclosed).

UND Players Stats

UMN  Forward Lines

7 Kyle Rau–27 Nick Bjugstad–24 Zach Budish
15 Joe Miller–19 Erik Haula–21 Jake Hansen
16 Nate Condon–9 Taylor Matson–17 Seth Ambroz


14 Tom Serratore–22 Travis Boyd–18 Nick Larson

UMN Defense Parings 

4 Seth Helgeson–12 Justin Holl
10 Ben Marshall–20 Mark Alt
6 Jake Parenteau–29 Nate Schmidt


UMN Goalies 

35 Kent Patterson
1 Michael Shibrowski
30 Jake Kremer

UMN Stats 

Referees: Don Adam, Timm Walsh  Assistant Refs: Andy Dokken, Justin Hills

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Minnesota Series Notes (insidehockey.com)
• Danny Kristo hit on Ben Marshall (mvn.com)
• North Dakota edges Minnesota (insidehockey.com)

UND vs. UMN game one

UND Forward Lines 

29 Brock Nelson–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo
9 Mario Lamoureux (C) – 27 Carter Rowney – 14 Taylor Dickin
21 Brendan O’Donnell–16 Mark MacMillan–13 Connor Gaarder
8 Dan Senkbeil–28 Stephane Pattyn–15 Michael Parks

UND Defense Paring

18 Dillon Simpson–24 Ben Blood (A)
2 Andrew MacWilliam (A) – 5 Nick Mattson
20 Joe Gleason–22 Andrew Panzarella


UND Goalies 

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness
35 Tate Maris

Scratches: Derek Rodwell (shoulder), Roco Grimaldi (Knee) 4 Derek Forbort (undisclosed).

UND Players Stats

UMN  Forward Lines

16 Nate Condon–9 Taylor Matson–17 Seth Ambroz
14 Tom Serratore–22 Travis Boyd–18 Nick Larson
11 Sam Warning–19 Erik Haula–21 Jake Hansen
7 Kyle Rau–27 Nick Bjugstad–24 Zach Budish

UMN Defense Parings 

4 Seth Helgeson–12 Justin Holl
10 Ben Marshall–20 Mark Alt
6 Jake Parenteau–29 Nate Schmidt

UMN Goalies 

35 Kent Patterson
1 Michael Shibrowski
30 Jake Kremer

UMN Stats 

Referees: Don Adam, Timm Walsh  Assistant Refs: Andy Dokken, Justin Hills

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Minnesota Series Notes (insidehockey.com)
• UND Freshman Connor Gaarder named WCHA Rookie of the Week (mvn.com)

UND vs. UMN series notes

Cross Posted @ INSIDE HOCKEY...

The University of North Dakota entertains the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Ralph Englestad Arena.

Game Time: 7:37 pm Friday, 7:07 pm Saturday.

Television: TV: UND Sports Network, MidcoSN3, FOX College Sports Central,
FOX Sports North, DirecTV 617 and 668.

Radio: The games can be heard at 96.1 the Fox.

Internet: UNDSports.com

Records and Rankings: UND (11-8-2 overall, 7-7-0 WCHA) UND is ranked 17^th in the USCHO poll. North Dakota Beat Clarkson (3-1) in the College Hockey Classic.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (15-7-1, 10-4-0 WCHA);  ranked 5^th in the latest USCHO poll. Minnesota lost to Notre Dame in the Hall of Fame Game (4-3) last weekend.

Series History:  UND is 15-11-3 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers since head coach Dave Hastol took over the coaching reigns at the beginning of the 2004-05 season. The Gophers swept UND (2-0 and 3-2) earlier back in November.  The Minnesota Gophers lead the all-time series against UND by a 135-128-14 record.

Players to Watch:

For UND: Forwards: Danny Kristo (11-13a—24pts), Corbin Knight (6g-15a—21pts) and Brock Nelson (15g-9a—24pts). Defense: Nick Mattson (5g-8a—13pts), Dillion Simpson, (0g-11a—11pts), Ben Blood (2g-8a—10pts).  Goaltenders: Aaron Dell .894 save percentage and a  2.77 goals against average. Brad Eidsness .918 save percentage and a 2.43 goals against average.

UND Injuries: Forward Rocco Grimaldi is out, forward Corban Knight and defenseman Derek Forbort are questionable for this weekend, forward Derek Rodwell is out for the season (shoulder surgery).

For the Gophers: Forwards: Kyle Rau (12g-10a—22pts), Nick Bjugstad 17g-11a—28pts), Erik Haula (10g-17a—28pts), Zach Budish (6g-14a—20pts). Defense: Nate Schmidt (1g-23a—24pts), Mark Alt (4g-10a—14pts). Goalie: Kent Patterson .918 save percentage and a 2.13 goals against average.

Key Numbers:

1 – UND goalie Aaron Dell has one shutout so far this season.

1 – UMN forward Kyle Rau is tied for first nationally in game winning goal with 5.

1 – UMN goalie Kent Patterson is ranked first in the nation for shutouts with 6.

1 – UMN is ranked first in scoring nationally.

3 – UMN is ranked third in the WCHA for penalty minutes.

4 – UMN forward Nick Bjugstad is ranked fourth in the nation in goals per game .81.

6 – UMN is ranked sixth nationally in defense.

7 – UMN is ranked seventh on the power play

8 – UND forward Brock Nelson is ranked eight in the nation for goals per game .71.

9 – UND forward Danny Kristo is ranked ninth in the nation for game winning goals with three.

9 – UND forward Brock Nelson has nine power play goals for UND to lead the nation.

10 – UMN has 10 conference wins so far this season.

11 – UND is ranked 11^th in penalty minutes in the WCHA.

11 – UMN forward Nick Bjugstad is ranked 11^th nationally for points per game.

12 – UND is ranked 12^th on the power play nationally.

13 – UND forward Corbin Knight is ranked 13^th in the nation for assists per game with 0.83.

13 – UMN goalie Kent Patterson is ranked 13 nationally in goals against average.

18 – UND is ranked 18^th in the Pairwise Rankings.

21 – UND is ranked 21^st in scoring nationally.

23 – UND forward Corbin Knight is ranked 23^rd nationally for points per game.

25 – UND forwards Danny Kristo and Brock Nelson are ranked nationally for points per game.

29 – UND is ranked 29^th nationally in defense.

Other games in the WCHA: Alaska Anchorage at Michigan Tech, Minnesota Duluth at Nebraska Omaha, Wisconsin at Minnesota State, Bemidji State at Denver, Saint Cloud State at Colorado College

Knight line second in the WCHA

If you haven't seen this, Rob White beat writer for the World Herald put together a ranking on the WCHA tops lines. The Knight line is ranked second in the WCHA.

Top WCHA Lines
63, Nick Bjugstad (26), Kyle Rau (19), Zach Budish (18), Minnesota
62, Brock Nelson (22), Corban Knight (21), Danny Kristo (19), North Dakota
58, J.T. Brown (24), Travis Oleksuk (19), Caleb Herbert (15), Minnesota-Duluth
52, Jason Zucker (20), Drew Shore (19), Beau Bennett (13), Denver
48, Mark Zengerle (25), Tyler Barnes (17), Brendan Woods (6), Wisconsin
46, Terry Broadhurst (23), Ryan Walters (13), Brock Montpetit (10), UNO
45, Ben Hanowski (20), Travis Novak (14), David Eddy (11), St. Cloud State
42, Jack Connolly (25), Mike Seidel (12), Joe Basaraba (5), Minnesota-Duluth
40, Matt White (23), Alex Hudson (10), Johnnie Searfoss (7), UNO
40, Rylan Schwartz (17), Jalen Schwartz (17), William Rapuzzi (6), Colorado College

Related articles

• UND and UNO Series Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• North Dakota-Alaska Anchorage Preview (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 13 (insidehockey.com)

Gopher's Nick Bjugstad scores, Mario Lamoureux gets hurt

I have seen a few people talk about this play on line and this was the first time that I had seen this video, the Whistler made mention of this play in his blog post on Friday night.

The Sioux played the Gophers well through most of the game. The first goal was by Nick Bjugstad on the power play that wound up being a virtual 5 on 3 as Mario Lamoureux blocked two shots which broke his stick and left him nearly unable to stand. I give him a lot of credit for getting up and still attempting to block more shots, though it wasn't hard for the Gophers to move around him.

I agree with the Whistler and I actually think that Mario should be applauded for his effort, I have seen a few people criticize him for staying on the ice. I am not sure what Mario is supposed to do in this situation? Lamoureux is obviously hurt; he is caught out in no man's land, the Sioux bench is a long ways away from  because its the second period, so the captain continues to play in pain. In my opinion that establishes Mario as a selfless leader who put the team before his own needs.