Saturday Morning Post Game Thoughts

Even to the untrained eye, it's obvious that the Colorado College Tigers are struggling. Frankly, they’re not a very good hockey team. The Tigers have won one game in their 23. During that time, the Tigers have gone 1-20-2(.086). This includes a 0-7-0 start this season. I figure that eventually they're going to figure it out.

I don’t think many of us ever expected walk-on, third-string junior goalie Matt Hrynkiw to be the starter when UND kicked off the 2015-16 season. After injuries to two of UND's top goalies, Hrynkiw has taken over in net. Hrynkiw isn't just killing minutes until the others return, he's doing a good job holding down the fort.

Now after appearing five games, Hrynkiw is ranked 18th in the NCAA and is (4-0-1, 1.81 GAA, and a .927 SV%). Hrynkiw has stopped 102-of-110 shots. One could make the argument that Cam Johnson is going to have to earn his spot back when he returns from injury.

So far, senior forward Bryn Chyzyk is having a good season. The senior from Virden, Manitoba, has points in five straight games. During the first seven games, Chyzyk has scored (5g-2a—7pts). That’s a point a game.

UND entered last night’s game ranked 44th on the Power Play. Last night, UND played undisciplined hockey giving the Tigers seven power plays. After the game, head coach Brad Berry said, “We need to clean it up.” After going killing 6-of-7 Tiger power play opportunities UND improved to 44th nationally.

UND brought in a large freshmen class to start the season. Through seven games, here’s a breakdown of the freshmen scoring. Brock Boeser (5g-2a—7pts), Christian Wolanin (1g-2a—3pts), Chris Wilkie (3g-0a—3pts), Shane Gersich (2g-0a—2pts). Rhett Gardner (1g-0a—1pts), Hayden Shaw (0g-1a—1pts), Joel Janatuinen (0g-0a—0pts). So far this season, the freshman class has accounted for 23.6 % of UND’s scoring.

Last night, UND scored five goals against the Tigers. All five of those goals were scored by freshmen: Wilkie (2), Gersich, Gardner, Boeser. The last time freshmen scored five goals in a single game was on February 24, 2006, when Duncan, Oshie, Toews (2) and Kozek. The only upper classman to score in that game was Mike Prpich. UND would go on to win the game 6-2.

Taking a trip down memory lane, this was also the game where Denver head coach George Gwozdecky was thrown out of the game after Prpich cup checked Geoff Paukovich.

UND's Hrynkiw Shines in Second-Career Start

(s/t to Schlossman for the video) All week long, Matt Hrynkiw has been the story. It's a nice feel-good story. Everyone has been talking about the walk-on third-string goalie at the Wednesday hockey press conference.

Myself included.

Last night, Hrynkiw stopped  all 27 shots that he faced, earning him a shutout. Hrynkiw looked good between the pipes.

As I tweeted last night, after three games, Hrynkiw now has a 2-0-1 record, a 1.66 GAA, and a .933 SV%. That's pretty impressive for a third-string goalie that was probably never expected to play and probably wouldn't have played if Cam Johnson hadn't gone down with an injury.

Now, Johnson might have to work very hard to regain his starting spot. Frankly, I have been more impressed with Hrynkiw than I have with Johnson. Obviously, that could change.

UND Nickname Vote: Zach Parise Doesn't Care for Choices

Former Fighting Sioux All-American forward Zach Parise doesn't like any of the Nickname choices that are being voted on. He's not alone, a lot of voters have relayed these feelings. It will be interesting to see if move on folks will complain about Parise who is one of UND's most popular Alumni.

Per Paul Walsh, Startribune:

The University of North Dakota opened voting Monday for a new nickname, with the ballot offering five choices to replace Fighting Sioux, and former UND hockey star Zach Parise has weighed in.

That nickname was erased in 2012 under pressure from the NCAA because of its potential to offend American Indians. New nickname options are: Fighting Hawks, Nodaks, North Stars, Roughriders and Sundogs.

Parise, a member of the Minnesota Wild who proudly wore the Sioux name on his jersey, said Monday that he doesn’t care for any of the names on the ballot.

UND remains NO. 1 in USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

October 19, 2015

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	North Dakota	(16)	2- 0-2	931	1
2	Nebraska-Omaha	(15)	4- 0-0	927	3
3	Providence	(12)	2- 0-1	902	2
4	Boston College	( 4)	2- 1-0	829	4
5	Minnesota-Duluth	( 1)	2- 1-0	730	7
6	Denver		3- 1-0	726	5
7	Massachusetts-Lowell	( 1)	3- 0-0	665	9
8	Boston University		1- 1-0	631	6
9	Harvard		0- 0-0	580	8
9	St. Cloud State	( 1)	4- 0-0	580	12
11	Michigan		2- 0-0	525	11
12	Bowling Green		3- 1-1	419	10
13	Yale		0- 0-0	387	13
14	Quinnipiac		3- 0-0	352	17
15	Miami		2- 1-1	312	18
16	Michigan Tech		1- 1-0	205	16
17	St. Lawrence		3- 1-0	180	19
18	Union		2- 0-2	145	NR
19	Merrimack		2- 0-0	70	NR
19	Minnesota		0- 3-0	70	15
Others receiving votes: Bemidji State 59, Minnesota State 54, Massachusetts 39, Clarkson 29, Western Michigan 27, Notre Dame 25, Penn State 24, Robert Morris 24, Vermont 19, Dartmouth 18, Michigan State 7, Bentley 5, Colgate 3, Cornell 1.

 

UND remains the number one team in this week’s USCHO Poll.  I expect a meltdown from a certain fan base or two. Don’t for get to vote for your favorite nickname choice.

The 4th Beaver Goal on Friday

Take a look for yourself. I've had a few people ask about the fourth Beaver goal. The game-tying goal. Some have said that the playoff was offsides. I watched this play over and over again, the puck doesn't come out. But where is it?

Lol. No Pizza... Matt Hrynkiw Saves

Boeser, Caggiula & Stecher got the three stars; Matt Hrynkiw got his first win, the hard hat and the fawning media. pic.twitter.com/VPkzIrgJdB

— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) October 18, 2015

Junior walk-on goalie Matt Hrynkiw spent a lot of time talking to the media this past weekend after being into the fire. Hrynkiw showed great poise this past weekend and successfully met the challenge.

When the junior goalie was asked if he was nervous making his first career start, ever.

I "was more nervous yesterday," Hrynkiw said of coming in relief Friday. "It was kind of spurred on me yesterday. Today, I was fully prepared. I went through my routine all day. I knew I was going in and I was plenty prepared for it."

Junior G Matt Hrynkiw meets with the media after making his collegiate debut in relief of an injured Cam Johnson. pic.twitter.com/YCLwN1L2cg

— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) October 17, 2015

The Time Out

This weekend, UND faces off against the Bemidji State Beavers in a home-and-home series. Tonight's game is in Bemidji. The Women also play in a home-and-home series with the Beavers. So, if you can sneak out of work, get to Bemidji for a double header.

Last weekend, after watching his goalie let in two goals in on four shots, University of North Dakota head coach Brad Berry called a time out. Apparently, the timeout worked, Cam Johnson was a brick wall the rest of the way.  When asked what he said during the timeout, coach Berry said this.

“I think some things have to remain unsaid,” Berry said. “It was professional. It was direct.  It was something that not only caught Cam but the rest of our team. It was just a way to reset our team. I think the biggest thing is the leadership on our bench as far as what we did after that. I think we have to tip our cap to the leaders on our team.”

Rough start or not, Johnson would settle down after the early goals and only let one more puck get past him the rest of the weekend.  Johnson finished the weekend with a 1-0-1 record, a 1.44 goals against average and .935 save percentage.

Friday Morning Reading

Good Morning! Good times have come our way. The second week of the college hockey season is finally here. The weekend kicks off with a double header, home-and-home hockey weekend for the UND hockey teams. The Women play both days at 2:00 pm followed by the UND men.

A limited number of tickets for Saturday's game just became available! Get yours now at http://t.co/U88nHTbquw pic.twitter.com/CehhE3rwAS

— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) October 15, 2015

Fresh out of the oven! Watch the ALL-NEW episode of #ThroughTheseDoors, “Mother Goose” on Youtube: https://t.co/bD6jzSTQjZ

— UND Insider (@undinsider) October 16, 2015

You won't believe this... The old stick through the skate trick.

That's some talent, @Jason_Zucker16. Stick went through BOTH skates. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/u1L8AhnmZS

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 16, 2015

And Finally, former Fighting Sioux All-American Zach Parise scores his fifth goal of the season. This is the quickest that Zach has gotten to five goals to start a hockey season. The Wild are 3-0 and Parise has scored (5g-1a--6pts) in three games.

PPPG (Parise Power Play Goal). #mnwild #MINvsARI pic.twitter.com/URbnvb6Itk

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 16, 2015

UND 4th in USA TODAY/USA HOCKEY POLL

Rk. School (First place votes) Record Pts. PR
1. Boston College (18) 21-14-3 469 14
2. Boston University (5) 28-8-5 436 2
3. Minnesota Duluth (7) 21-16-3 422 7
4. North Dakota 29-10-3 373 3
5. Harvard 21-13-3 348 11
6. Denver 24-14-2 318 5
7. Providence (3) 26-13-2 262 3
8. Minnesota (1) 23-13-3 242 10
9. Minnesota State 29-8-3 234 6
10. Maimi 25-14-1 198 8
11. Omaha 20-13-6 160 4
12. Yale 18-10-5 144 15
13. Michigan 22-15-0 142 NR
14. Massachusetts-Lowell 21-12-6 116 NR
15. Michigan Tech 29-10-2 50 9


I honestly don't know how they can legitimately rank teams after one week of exhibition hockey games.

Update: UND Smokes Bisons in Exhibition Game

Some quick takes from last night's exhibition game. 

UND kicked off the 2015-16 season with a convincing 8-2 win against the Manitoba Bisons. The score could have been worse if the Manitoba goalie hadn't stood on his head for most of the first half of the game. 

First, last night's game was a bit sloppy, but that was expected after 150-day break from live action. I am not sure what we can take from last night's game. 

I am not going to mince words, Manitoba isn't a very good hockey team. I don't see the Bisons winning a lot of CIS games either.  That being said, UND did pretty well for having very little face time with the coaches. 

I am predicting that you will see the umbrella power play more this season. According to coach Brad Berry, that's coach Matt Shaw's handy work. 

Offensively, I think this year's team has a couple of finishers that can bury the puck. 

Brock Boeser (1g-1a—2pts) I have a feeling that the the highly touted rookie is going to get a lot of ink this season. Last night, Boeser made quite a first impression on the UND hockey fan base. Boeser is a good as billed and has a shot that will give goalies fits. I wouldn't be surprised if he scored 15-20 goals this season. 

Shane Gersich (2g-0a—2pts) was very impressive in his first game wearing a UND uniform. Again, I wouldn't be surprised if he also scored 15-20 goals this season. 

Johnny Simonson who didn't score a goal all of last season scored (3g-0a—3pts) in the win against the Manitoba Bisons. 

Last night, UND's d-core was very active in leading the rush up ice. I think they will continue this throughout the season. The defense will probably tighten up a bit and not be so loosey-goosey as they were last night. For the fans that hate the dump and chase, I don't recall UND playing a lot of dump and chase last night. 

New Yorks Times Article on Hakstol

Apparently, former University of North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol is making an impression on the Flyers fans this fall. Reading some of the stories that have been posted online, it would appear that Hak has more or less brought the same techniques and concepts to the NHL.
Per Dave Caldwell, New York Times Sports:

Hakstol, 47, represents a radical culture change. A native of Warburg, Alberta, a prairie town of 789 that also produced Dallas Stars Coach Lindy Ruff, Hakstol was a defenseman who never made it past the International Hockey League in five professional seasons.

The Flyers are essentially the same team that last year finished 33-31-18, the 24th-best record in the 30-team league and 14 points out of a playoff berth.

What Hakstol says he will do is get the Flyers playing at a faster pace — partly because everyone is, especially elite Eastern Conference teams like the Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite a power-play unit that ranked third in the N.H.L., the Flyers were 21st in scoring last year.

“This is a hard-working team,” Hakstol said in a low, flat voice. “I believe it always has been. This game starts and ends with energy and work ethic and guys that are good teammates. That’s the baseline. The game is played at a high pace now, and we want to think in this room that we have the ability to get up the ice a little bit quicker, the ability to create a little bit more in the offensive zone and getting everybody involved.”

Zane McIntyre Sent to Providence

Former UND goalie Zane McIntyre was sent to the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League. The shocker was that Malcolm Subban was sent down, too. Earlier in the summer, Subban was penciled in as the number two goalie behind Tuukka Rask.

Ryan Dadoun, Pro Hockey Talk -- Boston announced that goaltenders Zane McIntyre and Malcolm Subban have been reassigned to AHL Providence, ending their individual campaigns to secure Boston’s number two slot behind Tuukka Rask.,

While neither goaltender was the favorite to win the backup job, either one would have been an intriguing choice. Subban, 21, is a former first round pick (24th overall, 2012) and has two strong seasons in the AHL under his belt. McIntyre, 23, is just starting his pro career, but he was the 2015 Richter Award winner as the NCAA’s top goaltender for his work with the University of North Dakota.

UND Heading to the big Apple in 2016

Yes, it's true. UND will play the Boston College Eagles on December 3, 2016, at Madison Square Garden, in New York City at the College Hockey Showdown.

UND, BC to Meet in New ‘College Hockey Showdown at Madison Square Garden’ in December 2016: http://t.co/uqX0uOADJW #UNDproud

— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) September 24, 2015

#NCHCHockey, @TheGarden announce College Hockey Showdown @HkyShowdown_MSG w/ @UNDmhockey & BC http://t.co/PsCbQMQPbO pic.twitter.com/PTSrTo2l4o

— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) September 24, 2015

Drake Caggiula Picked for NCHC 2015 Preseason All-Conference Team

 

NCHC 2015 Preseason All-Conference Team
F – Trevor Moore, Denver, Jr. – 21 votes
F – Danton Heinen, Denver, So. – 20 votes
F – Drake Caggiula, North Dakota, Sr. – 17 votes
D – Andy Welinski, Minnesota Duluth, Sr. – 22 votes
D – Matthew Caito, Miami, Sr. – 10 votes
G – Kasimir Kaskisuo, Minnesota Duluth, So. – 14 votes

 

University of North Dakota forward Drake Caggiula has earned preseason all-conference honors. Caggiula who scored (18g-18a-36pts) last season, is the top returning forward from last season's team. Last season, UND goalie Zane McIntyre was named to the preseason all-conference team.

Three UND Men's Preseason Story Lines

With the first exhibition only 16 days away for the North Dakota Men's Hockey Team, it is time to take a look at three major story lines going into the 2015-2016 season.

Brad Berry's First Season as Head Coach
As summer was just starting to go into full force, the UND hockey world was given a surprise that many, myself included, were never thinking that we were going to hear, well at least this soon. Head Coach Dave Hakstol would resign as head coach and take a head job in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers, ending his successful tenure as one of the top coaches in program history.

Who would be his replacement? Assistant coach Brad Berry was almost immediately announced as the new bench boss for UND, He was won over by the locker room right away as the appropriate choice to take over as head coach and the same can be said by the incoming freshman class as well.

The Alberta native has had a lot of experience surrounding the game, whether it be playing, coaching, or even as a scout for the Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks. Berry, who is a University of North Dakota alum and played for UND as a defenseman from 1983-1986 where he would collect 74 points in 112 games played.

The coach would then have two stints as an assistant coach at UND, first under Dean Blais, and then under Coach Hakstol. However, His time with Coach Hakstol would be split in to two parts as he would take job opportunities in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose, and then in the NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets as assistant coach.

Coach Berry has a lot to prove to carry on the tradition of winning and NCAA tournament appearances as the 16th head coach in UND history, however, taking what he learned at the NHL level and from Coach Hakstol, he should be able to find success in a timely manor as the UND bench boss.

Who Starts in Goal?
With the early departure of Zane McIntyre to the NHL at the end of last season, it is now time to figure out who is going to be the new call to the net for UND. Right now the logical choice seems to be Cam Johnson, however he still has limited experience as McIntyre saw most of the playing time last season

Incoming freshman Matej Tomek could give Johnson a run for his money. The 2015 third round draft pick (90th overall) to the Philadelphia Flyers was named NAHL goaltender of the year last year posting a 24-7-2 record with a 1.83 GAA and .928 save percentage. If Tomek is able to avoid those freshman jitters, he very well could be the guy to call to the blue paint this season.

Finally, there is junior Matt Hrynkiw. Taking off where former third string Tate Maris left off, Hrynkiw has yet to see any action in regular season play and has only seen 3:32 of total ice time in UND's 7-2 exhibition victory over the USA under 18 team last January. He does not seem to be a huge factor in who will be the starting goaltender.

For now, you have to start the veteran Cam Johnson on opening night, but maybe a few weeks into the season, try a goalie by committee to see who you will ride down the stretch and into the conference and NCAA tournaments.

Drake Caggiula
After his best season at the collegiate level, senior Drake Caggiula is looking to lead the offensive charge once again this season and dazzle the crowd with his highlight reel goals and big hits when fighting for puck possession.

Caggiula enters this season as an assistant captain for UND and the NCAA active player games leader at 123 games played. He has earned 76 points in his three seasons with UND and including a career high 36 last season.

The three time letter winner has much to improve on this season after his career best season last year, but his niche to find the net, and leadership qualities will have him possibly pushing the 45 point and 20 goal mark by seasons end in April.

UND Hockey 2015-16 Season Preview

When the 2015-16 season begins, the University of North Dakota hockey team is going to have a different look. During the summer, former head coach Dave Hakstol resigned his head coaching position and is now the Philadelphia Flyers head coach. Associate head coach Brad Berry takes over at the head coaching position.

The changing of the guard at the top should be a seamless transition. However, UND starts the 2015-16 season with a few question marks. (You can read the whole article)...

A Guess About Ticket Policies and a Suggested Response

SCSU is just the latest school to impose ridiculous sanctions on, what is basically, a targetted visiting audience (DU and UNO were the others... with DU coming in previous years).  It got me thinking as to why:

The answer is rather obvious, objectively speaking.  Home arenas should be for the home team and the home team's fans should have first crack at all the best seats.  No argument there for me.  Visiting fans shouldn't get "obstructed view only" seating, but they shouldn't get the best seats either.  But the idea that schools should target UND or any other well traveled franchise is ridiculous.  It's not just the NCAA either. During the Stanley Cup playoffs, visiting fans to Tampa Bay's arena were restricted in both seats AND they were not allowed to show their logos as well.

I just don't understand the economics of the whole thing.  If I were the ticket manager of a major sporting venue, I'd want every seat filled with people with overflowing wallets that shoot out wads of cash at the first available (and every subsequent) offer that comes their way.  Heck, this may be a bit extreme but... if filling the REA to capacity every game meant having over half of the arena (or even MOST of it) filled with opposing fans, so be it.  UND still profits even with the vocal opposition to the home team's goals.

This is the first time since I moved to Omaha in 2008 where UND will be visiting Omaha and I will not be in attendance.  I even forked over an amazing amount of money to see what was a god awful publicity stunt ridden hockey contest (otherwise known as the outdoor game) to see my Alma Mater.  It is sold out.  I usually bring between 4 and 6 other people with me... all paying fans...some even UNO alumni (they couldn't even get tickets).  Sad.

Here's my suggested response by the REA and UND:

Impose the same or similar (not worse) restrictions on every teams' fans whose home arena imposes it on our fans... and DISCOUNT tickets to opposing fans in certain sections to schools who do not impose such restrictions.  In other words, say the typical single game ticket costs a person $36 a game to sit in the visitor section.  Colorado College does not impose ticket restrictions to UND fans.  Therefore, visiting fans from Colorado Springs are eligible for a 10% discount on tickets to those specified sections.  Sure, I get we're not in the business to encourage opposing fans from taking away seats from the home team, but I think it is just good business to reward those teams whose schools are open minded and open armed to all schools, not just the ones who won't fill up their arena when they face off.

Perhaps it is a ridiculous idea.  Perhaps UNO and SCSU will relent closer to the game like DU did.  Perhaps UNO's policy is strictly due to the fact that they're desperate to bring new business to a new arena.  I don't know.  The Mavs, here in Omaha, get a pathetic following even compared to the USHL Lancer team.

In the end, however, I can't change ticket policies.  And UNO will get away with it due to "new arena-itis."  But I hope SCSU comes to their senses.

Move On Crowd Missing Point

First, I find the nickname issue to be interesting and frustrating at the same time. So, you're going to get coverage of that issue. Thanks in advance for reading.

Second, one thing that I have noticed through the nickname transition; is a group of people I like to refer to as the "move on crowd". That fine, they're entitled to their opinion. This is a very diverse group, made up of many fans that aren't interested in remaining North Dakota or UND. This group would even accept the Sundogs moniker/nickname as opposed to remaining simply UND. This group wants a nickname, any nickname. And they want it now.

Some in the move on crowd have been less than friendly to the fans that want to remain UND or North Dakota. I am just making an observation. They accuse the UND/North Dakota crowd as having a hissy fit or acting like five-year-old children. One could make the argument that the move on crowd is acting like five-year-old children as well. Just my observation.

Per the Grand Forks Herald:

Meanwhile, almost no one in the photo is wearing an item of clothing that bears the actual name being considered: UND/North Dakota.

The same goes for the hockey and football games I've seen on TV. The seats are full of "Sioux" jerseys, shirts, hats and so on.

What that says to me is that the UND/North Dakota nickname supporters want no nickname in an attempt to preserve the "Sioux" nickname. Otherwise, if they are so happy with UND/North Dakota as their new nickname, why aren't they wearing UND/North Dakota clothing and holding UND/North Dakota signs?

This obviously bitter attitude of "fine, no Fighting Sioux, then we'll show you; we'll have nothing!" needs to be put to rest. It's the position that some 5-year-old kids would take.

One thing that the move on crowd fails to recognize is that no matter what UND's nickname ends up being, people are still going to wear the Fighting Sioux logo. Most people that I know have many Fighting Sioux jerseys, hats, and t-shirts. I am not sure what they expect? I know no one that's going to just throw their Fighting Sioux jersey's away.

Finally, even after UND has finally selected a nickname and logo, fans are still going to wear the Fighting Sioux jerseys and probably yell and the home of the Sioux at the end of the anthem. Players are still going to refer to the school as the Sioux, too.

Lastly, some will say that the no new nickname crowd doesn't get it. Like I said, everyone is entitled to their opinion. That one of the benefits of living in the USA. I also think we should be respectful of others with differing opinions. I see nothing wrong with disagreeing, but be nice. That being said when the #newnickname issue is finally solved. There's going to be some that's unhappy. That's just life.

Edited: Just for the record, I am in the camp of anything but Sundogs. I prefer the North Dakota option, but would gladly accept Rough Riders and Fighting Hawks. I don't support UND using the North Star nickname, I could see a copy right lawsuit coming in that one. I think that Nodaks would be redundant.