Last night in Magness Arena, after the game, when game officials posted the final box score read UND 7 DU 5. It was a tale of two games. UND would score first with a goal from forward Dylan James. Then the momentum would shift, and then it was all Denver as they raced to a 4-1 lead. In the first period, UND looked like deer in the headlights. UND also came out on their heels and a step slow. Maybe a little nervous. UND didn't panic.
In the second period, UND picked up momentum, got a rhythm, and started chipping away at the Pioneer's 4-1 lead. UND would score six of the last seven goals to beat the Pioneers. I know this sounds cliche, but this game may end up being one for the ages. You can see the highlights below if you didn't watch Friday's game.
Entering Friday's game against DU, UND goalie Ludvig Persson had played in 12 games, going 1-11-0, 4.69 GAA, and a .879 save percentage, snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Pioneers. The last time Persson had beaten DU was on December 17, 2020, in the pod at Baxter Arena. Persson struggled in the first period, stopping 6/10 shots. He would finish the game with 27 saves on 32 shots. Persson is now (12-2-1, 2.06 GAA, .917 save percentage). He also has three shutouts.
With the win, UND is now on an eight-game winning streak. That's the longest in the nation. With the win, UND also vaulted to the top of the Pairwise rankings. Yes, I still think it's too early to worry, but it was mentioned somewhere else.
UND freshman forward Jayden Perron recorded his first assist of the season. He now has (7g--1a--8pts), he's also a plus-four.
Sophomore forward Jackson Blake continues to shine; he notched his fifth three-point game of the season, which leads, UND. He's also scored in five straight games; that's a career-high. In 15 games this season, Blake has scored (11g-10a--21pts); he's also a plus-nine. Two of his 11 goals have come on the power play. Blake has six multi-point games this season. That leads UND. In 54 games, Blake has scored (27g-36a--63pts).
After missing four games due to injury, sophomore forward Jake Schmaltz returned to the lineup and added a pair of assists. In 10 games, Schmaltz has recorded six assists and is a plus-one.
Sophomore forward Owen McLaughlin also recorded three points for the third time this year. In 14 games this season, he's scored (4g-11a--15pts), and he's also a plus-seven. The Spring City, PA., native has recorded four multi-point games this season. McLaughlin has equaled his point total of last season.
Some in the college hockey world made a big deal about UND using the NCAA Transfer Portal to fill in their roster holes. UND hit the jackpot with junior forward Cameron Berg. The Fargo native now has four multi-point contests in his last seven games. Speaking of faceoffs, the Hawks finished with a 33-25 advantage over the Pioneers. Berg led the way for UND, going 13-6 (.684). In 15 games, Berg has (6g-8a--14pts); he's also a plus-seven.
They Said
You can get the Let's Go DU perspective on last night's game.
The Grand Forks Herald Gamer
"I get it, they're a high-emotion team," Louis Jamernik V told the Grand Forks Herald following the game. "They can get a little cocky sometimes. We just said, 'All right, we'll match it. If you want to put your stick up in front of our bench, we'll do the same to you.'"
"We knew, and we thought there were going to be growing pains at certain points through the year," DU Head Coach David Carle said. "This hurts; this needs to hurt. We can't forget how this feels and go about it the same way we always do. We'll teach and try and get better."
