How some of us voted

Andy Johnson of Bucky’s Fifth Quarter 

1. UMTC
2. UND
3. DU
4. UNO
5. SCSU
6. Kato
7. CC
 8. UW
 9. UMD
10. Tech
11. Bemidji
12. UAA

Chris Dilks of Western College Hockey 

1. Minnesota
2. North Dakota
3. Nebraska Omaha
4. Denver
5. Saint Cloud State
6. Minnesota State
7. Colorado College
8. Wisconsin
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Michigan Tech
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska Anchorage

My Picks that were posted on INSIDE HOCKEY

1. UND
2. Minnesota
3. Omaha
4. Denver
5. Saint Cloud
6. Colorado College
7. Minnesota State
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. Michigan Tech
10. Wisconsin
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska Anchorage

I have had people ask me why I have put Mankato higher in my power rankings. First, Mankato has played a very weak schedule and has yet to beat more than one opponent with a winning record except Minnesota. DU swept Mankato that also played into the equation as well.  When they finally win a couple of games against higher opponents I will adjust my rankings accordingly. Also, Mankato has played the 43^rd hardest schedule. Dare I make the cupcake argument? 

Matthew Semisch Radio Free Omaha

1. Minnesota
2. Nebraska Omaha
3. Denver
4. North Dakota
5. Saint Cloud
6. Minnesota State
7. Colorado College
8. Michigan Tech
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Wisconsin
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska Anchorage

Troy Mills of the Beaver Pond

1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. Minnesota
4. Nebraska-Omaha
5. St. Cloud State
6. Mankato
7. Colorado College
8. Michigan Tech
9. Wisconsin
10. Duluth
11. Bemidji State
12. Alaska-Anchorage

Tim Braun of Tech Hockey Guide

1. Minnesota
2. DU
3. UND
4. UNO
5. SCSU
6. C.C.
7. MSUM
8. MTU
9. UMD
10. UW
11. BSU
12. UAA

Poll Monday; UND 8th in both polls

USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll

December 10, 2012

	Team	(First Place Votes)	Record	Points	Last Poll
1	Boston College	(35)	11- 2-1	981	2
2	New Hampshire	( 9)	11- 2-2	921	1
3	Notre Dame	( 3)	13- 4-0	902	5
4	Minnesota	( 3)	11- 3-3	815	4
5	Miami		10- 3-3	775	3
6	Boston University		10- 5-0	727	7
7	Western Michigan		10- 3-1	723	7
8	North Dakota		8- 5-3	630	9
9	Quinnipiac		12- 3-2	541	13
10	Dartmouth		7- 2-2	529	10
11	Denver		9- 5-2	519	6
12	Cornell		6- 3-2	438	11
13	Nebraska-Omaha		10- 5-1	389	14
14	Union		8- 3-4	385	12
15	Yale		6- 3-2	246	15
16	Niagara		10- 2-3	239	18
17	St. Cloud State		9- 7-0	234	17
18	Harvard		4- 3-1	126	20
19	Ferris State		7- 6-3	116	16
20	Minnesota State		9- 5-2	96	NR
Others receiving votes: Colorado College 63, Colgate 35, Providence 32, Holy Cross 19, Ohio State 14, Robert Morris 5.

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll

Rk.      School (1st place)                      Record           Pts.         PR

1.         Boston College (22)                       11-2-1            496            2

2.         New Hampshire (9)                         11-2-2            472            1

3.         Notre Dame (1)                               13-4-0            420            4

4.         Minnesota (3)                                  11-3-3            405            5

5.         Miami                                               10-3-3            362            3

6.         Boston University                           10-5-0            325            7

7.         Western Michigan                           10-3-1            312            8

8.         North Dakota                                8-5-3           259            9

9.         Quinnipiac                                        12-3-2            224          11

10.       Denver                                               9-5-2            216            6

11.       Dartmouth                                         7-2-2            212          10

12.       Cornell                                               6-3-2            134          13

13.       Union                                                 8-3-4            100          12

14.       Nebraska Omaha                            10-5-1              67          14

15.       Yale                                                    6-3-2              31          15

 Others Receiving Votes: Niagara 14, St. Cloud State 12, Harvard 9, Providence 5, Colorado College 2, Minnesota State 2, Ferris State 1.

2013 RED BARON WCHA FINAL FIVE TICKET PACKAGES ON SALE NOW

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Xcel Energy Center and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) announced today that all tournament packages for the 2013 Red Baron WCHA Final Five, to be held March 21-23 at Xcel Energy Center, go on sale at 10 a.m. today, Monday, Dec. 10. All tournament packages are $165 and $80 and can be purchased at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/TTY, call 800-359-2525. Groups (10+) call 651-312-3486.

Fans can celebrate college hockey with music, interactive games, food, beverages and more at the WCHA Fan Fest Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Bud Light Blue Line Bar and Grill (Xcel Energy Center – Gate 4). Cheerleaders, mascots and WCHA pep bands will also be present at this event with live music from Uncle Chunk on Friday and Playback on Saturday. The WCHA Fan Fest is free and open to the public.

College hockey fans will once again have the opportunity to get in on the tournament action with the return of the “Pick Your Final Five Sweepstakes.” Fans who enter will have a chance to win a prize of four (4) ticket packages to the 2014 WCHA Final Five.

Here's how the sweepstakes works:

• Visit www.xcelenergycenter.com/WCHA starting at 12:01 a.m. CT on Monday, Dec. 10.
• Choose the six (6) WCHA teams you predict will make it to the 2013 Red Baron WCHA Final Five.
• Choose the two (2) teams you predict will make the Championship game.
• Choose the 2013 Red Baron WCHA Championship winning team.
• Guess how many total goals will be scored during the 2013 Red Baron WCHA Final Five.

If more than one (1) person correctly answers all four (4) questions, all contestants with correct answers will be entered into a random drawing to determine the prize winner. If no one correctly answers all four (4) questions, those persons that answer the most number of questions correctly will be entered into a random drawing to determine the winner. The contest begins at 12:01 a.m. CT on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, March 8, 2013. The winner will be announced by noon CT on Sunday, March 24, 2013.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  The “Pick Your Final Five Sweepstakes” is subject in all respects to the complete Official Rules available at www.xcelenergycenter.com or by sending a S.A.S.E. to “Pick Your Final Five Sweepstakes - Rules Request”, c/o Saint Paul Arena Company, LLC, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., Ste. 501, St. Paul, Minnesota  55102.  Open only to entrants who, as of the entry date, are permanent legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old.  Void outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and where prohibited or restricted by law.  Sweepstakes entry period begins at 12:01 a.m. Central Time (“CT”) on Dec. 10, 2012 and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on March 8, 2013.  LIMIT: One (1) entry per person (regardless of method of entry) or address (physical or email).  Entry methods, limits, restrictions and instructions, and prize information and restrictions are set forth in the Official Rules.  Sponsor: Saint Paul Arena Company, LLC, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., Ste. 501, St. Paul, Minnesota  55102. Click here to view complete Official Rules.  

George up on the Dasher

s/t to Ryan Schneider Another dasher dance by the coach from Denver University.

WCHA Power Rankings: 12/09/12

Here’s this week’s WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I will be doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel who is a contributor of College Hockey Weekly.

I think that the Denver Pioneers came crashing down to earth this past weekend.  Again, I think that you could swap any of the top five to six teams in the league as well, there are also seven teams separated by just two points.

1. University of North Dakota – (8-5-3, WCHA 5-2-3) – This past weekend, UND took (2-2 T – 6-3 W) three points in their series with the Denver Pioneers. This weekend, the University of North Dakota travels to Houghton Michigan to play the Tech Huskies in an important two game WCHA series.

2. Minnesota Gophers – (11-3-3, WCHA 6-3-3) – This past weekend, the Minnesota Gophers took three points (4-2 W – 4-4 T) in their weekend series with the Colorado College Tigers, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This weekend, the Gophers are off.

3. Nebraska Omaha – (10-5-1, WCHA 6-3-1) – This past weekend, the Mavericks split (6-5 W – 1-2 L) their weekend series against the Saint Cloud State Huskies at the National Hockey Center.  This weekend, the Mavericks entertain the Minnesota State Mavericks at the Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska in an important two game series.  

4. Denver University – (9-5-2, WCHA 7-3-2) – This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers took (1-1 T – 1-3 L) a single point from the University of North Dakota. This weekend the Pioneers travel to Bemidji, MN to play the Bemidji State Beavers in an important two game WCHA series. Denver is has a record of 0-4-2 in the last six games, that is the Denver Pioneers worst winless streak in 13 seasons, dating back to the 1999-2000 season.

5. Saint Cloud State – (9-7-0, WCHA 7-5-0) – This past weekend, the Huskies split (5-6 L – 2-1 w) their weekend series with the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks at the National Hockey center. This weekend the Huskies entertain the Colorado College Tigers at the National Hockey Center.

6. Colorado College – (8-8-2, WCHA 5-4-1) – This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers took (2-4 W – 4-4 T) a single point in their weekend series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the World Arena in Colorado Spring Colorado. This weekend the Tigers travel to the National Hockey Center to play the Saint Cloud State Huskies.

7.) Minnesota State Mankato – (9-5-2, WCHA 7-5-0) – This past weekend, the Mavericks swept (3-1 W – 3-0 W) the hapless University of Anchorage Alaska Seawolves at the Verizon Wireless Center.  This weekend the Mavericks travel to Omaha to play the University of Nebraska Omaha in an important two game WCHA series. While the Mavericks have a winning record, the Mavericks have played a very easy schedule and have only beat one team (Minnesota) with a winning record.

8. Minnesota Duluth – (5-8-3, WCHA 3-6-3) – This past weekend, the UMD Bulldogs split (4-2W – 2-1 L) their weekend series with the Bemidji State Beavers in a two game series at Amsoil Arena. This weekend, the Bulldogs travel to Anchorage Alaska to play the University of Alaska Anchorage in an important two game series in Sullivan Arena.

9.  Michigan Tech – (4-8-3, WCHA 3-6-3) – This past weekend, the Huskies took (1-1 T – 3-3 T) two points Wisconsin Badgers. This weekend, the Huskies entertain the University of North Dakota in an important to game series at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, Michigan.

10. Wisconsin – (2-7-5, WCHA 2-5-5) – This past weekend, the Badgers took two points (1-1 T – 3-3 T) from the Michigan Tech Huskies. This weekend the Badgers entertain the University of Alabama Huntsville in a two game nonconference series at the Kohl Center in Madison Wisconsin. How bad is the Wisconsin Badgers offense? The Badgers have scored 26 goals in 14 games.

11. Bemidji State – (4-8-2, WCHA 3-7-2) – This past weekend, the Bemidji State Beavers split  (0-3 L – 1-6 W) their weekend series with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena. This weekend, entertain the Denver Pioneers at Sanford Center in Bemidji, MN.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-7-4, WCHA 1-6-3) – This past weekend, the Seawolves were (1-3 L – 0-3 W) swept by the Minnesota State Mavericks in Mankato, Minnesota at the Verizon Wireless Center. This weekend, the Seawolves return home to entertain the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at Sullivan Arena. This past weekend, was the first time that the Seawolves have failed to pick up at least a point in a weekend series.

Taylor Seibel’s WCHA Power Rankings.

1. North Dakota – (8-5-3, 5-2-3 WCHA) – North Dakota took 3 points from arch rival Denver on the weekend, and move up to the #1 spot in my WCHA Rankings.  UND dominated play in the third period and OT on Friday, but were robbed of a point by the DU goalie.  On Saturday, North Dakota continued their solid play to get the win.  Next weekend, North Dakota travels to Michigan Tech with a chance to have the WCHA lead at the Christmas break.

2. Minnesota – (11-3-3, 6-3-3 WCHA) – The Gophers outplayed Colorado College on the weekend, and if not for a furious rally by the Tigers in the third on Saturday to tie the game, Minnesota would have likely earned their first conference sweep of the season.  The Gophers are off next weekend, and do not play again until after Christmas when they host the Mariucci Classic.

3. Denver – (9-5-2, 7-3-2 WCHA) – Denver played very well on Friday in the first 40 minutes, and goalie Juho Olkinuora was absolutely amazing in net in the final 20 and OT to steal a point for the Pioneers.  DU kept it close on Saturday, but were unable to get the win.  Denver is now winless in their last 6, going 0-4-2 in that stretch.  Denver travels to Bemidji State next weekend.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (10-5-1, 6-3-1 WCHA) – UNO played two one-goal games, winning a barn-burner 6-5 on Friday, before dropping a close 2-1 contest on Saturday against St. Cloud State.  With the split, Omaha remains in contention for the WCHA lead going into Christmas.  The Mavs host…The Mavs of Minnesota State next weekend in a key WCHA series.

5. St. Cloud State – (9-7-0, 7-5-0 WCHA) – SCSU managed yet another split, their fifth in a row, with a 2-1 victory on Saturday against Omaha.  The Huskies fell on Friday 6-5 despite a hat trick from David Morley and outshooting the Mavericks 34-27.  St. Cloud hosts Colorado College next weekend.

6. Minnesota State – (9-5-2, 7-5-0 WCHA) – The Mavs are on a hot streak.  Since dropping five of their first six WCHA conference games, Mankato has rolled of six straight wins, allowing a total of six goals in those games.  This weekend, Minnesota State rolled Alaska Anchorage in a sweep, winning 3-1 on Friday, and 3-0 on Saturday.  Minnesota State looks continue their hot streak against UNO in Omaha next weekend.

7. Colorado College – (8-8-2, 5-4-1 WCHA) – The Tigers played well at times against Minnesota, but were only able to salvage 1 point on the weekend, thanks to a furious rally from a 4-1 deficit on Saturday.  The Tigers have only won once in their last 8 games, going 1-5-2 in that stretch.  CC has another difficult task next weekend, as the Tigers travel to St. Cloud to take on the Huskies.

8. Minnesota Duluth – (5-8-3, 3-6-3 WCHA) – The Bulldogs split with in-state rival Bemidji State this weekend, winning 4-2 on Friday before falling 2-1 on Saturday.  The Bulldogs are 3-2-1 in conference play after a disastrous 0-4-2 start.  Next weekend, the Bulldogs travel up north to take on the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.

9. Michigan Tech – (4-8-3, 3-6-3 WCHA) – The Huskies traveled to Madison to take on the Badgers this weekend, and played two nail biters, both of which ended in ties.  Michigan Tech has had an inconsistent season, and is 2-7-3 in their last 12 games, including 0-2-3 in their last five.  The Huskies will have another opportunity to prove themselves, as North Dakota is coming to Houghton next weekend.

10. Wisconsin – (2-7-5, 2-5-5 WCHA) – The Badgers were able to take 2 points from a drama-filled weekend against Tech.  The Badgers and Huskies played to a 1-1 tie on Friday, and then followed that with a 3-3 draw on Saturday.  That pushes Wisconsin’s unbeaten streak to 4 games, and after starting the season 1-5-2 in conference play, the Badgers are 1-0-3 in their last four.  Wisconsin hosts Alabama Huntsville in a Thursday-Friday non-conference series

11. Bemidji State – (4-8-2, 3-7-2 WCHA) – The Beavers were able to salvage a split at Duluth this weekend, winning a close 2-1 contest on Saturday.  Bemidji State has struggled offensively this season, going over 3 goals in conference play just twice in 12 tries.  The Beavers will look to get an offensive boost next weekend, but they will have to play very well to do so because Denver will be the Beaver’s guest next weekend.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-7-4, 1-6-3 WCHA) – Alaska Anchorage’s road woes continued this past weekend, as the Seawolves were swept in Mankato.  UAA is now 0-4-2 on the road in WCHA play.  Fortunately for the Seawolves, they won’t have to travel next weekend.  The Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs are making the trek north to take on Anchorage next weekend.

Holzer Lays A Huge Hit McNabb

Since there isn't any NHL hockey, I thought I would put up this hit by the Toronto Marlies defenseman Korbinian Holzer lays the wood to Rochester American's defenseman Brayden McNabb during the third period of Saturday's game.

Open post.

Old Man Schlossman. The decline was swift. twitter.com/UNDSID/status/…
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) December 9, 2012

You never know what someone is going to take a picture of?

Kristo's almost goal

This was one of the most incredible moves I have ever seen, unfortunately Kristo hit the pipe and didn't score. Can you imagine if Kristo scores this goal? You're looking at a possible ESPY or goal of the year here.

Kristo just missed what would have been one of the prettiest goals I have ever seen. If it had gone in.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) December 9, 2012

UND skates past DU 6-3

Grand Forks, ND – Last night after the game freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi took the blame for not scoring the game winning goal when he missed a wide open net in the waning minutes of the third period.

While hockey is a team game, the talented forward Grimaldi has high expectations for himself as he stepped forward to shoulder the blame for the rest of teammates.

“For me I have to put that in that in the empty net,” Grimaldi said. “I don’t know how I missed the net – I hit the post whatever… so I have to bear down, so I basically lost the game. He [Juho Olkinuora] won it and I lost it for our team so.”

Tonight, it appeared that Grimaldi had an extra gear, but also a little extra pep in his step – as did the rest of his line mates. UND’s forward line of Grimaldi (1g-3a—4pts), Carter Rowney (2g-2a—4pts) and Drake Caggiula (0a-2g—2pts) slashed through the Denver defense like a hot knife through butter and burned the Pioneers back end for an eye popping 10 points.

After the game, a relieved Rocco Grimaldi had this to say 24 hours later after UND’s disappointing finish on Friday night.

“I was pretty upset with myself yesterday,” Grimaldi said.  “I thought if I would have put that in obviously we would have had the win. A couple of chances; I just didn’t bury it. Then first period I get a break away – I don’t know what I was thinking – it was a terrible move. I don’t know what I was thinking. It was a terrible move. Then I am thinking; you know what - I starting thinking about myself… ah it’s not going to happen. Whenever I rely on myself I can never get it done. I have to trust in the Lord to do that. I started leaning on him today and great things happen and it was a big win for our hockey club today and hopefully I am going to continue to do that.”

Carter Rowney who had been on a bit of a scoring slump as of late was also relieved about his performance to night. Seems as if scoring goals makes everything alright.

“The last couple of weekends I was having my chances but they were going into the back of the net,” Rowney said.  On Friday night I did get that one, it was a greasy one – but you know I will take it. I kind of felt like I got the monkey off of my back, then today they started rolling in bunches.”

UND is 2-2-3 when having the first goal scored against them. Make that 3-2-3 after tonight’s 6-3 win over the first place Denver Pioneers.

Tonight, Denver again scored the first goal of the game when DU forward Grant Arnold took a UND turnover in the defensive zone and blasted the puck past UND goalie Clarke Saunders to give the Pioneers an early 1-0 lead at the 01:25 mark of the first period.

UND didn’t let the early goal rattle them as the Green and White quickly rebounded and took the play to the Denver Pioneers. UND would finally even the score at the 17:10 mark of the first period with a goal from Rocco Grimaldi. Assisting on Grimaldi’s goal was Drake Caggiula and Carter Rowney.

In the second period, UND would race to a 4-1 lead with goals by Derek Forbort and Carter Rowney.

Then things changed quickly, UND forward Dan Senkbeil was assessed a five minute major for checking from behind and given a game misconduct.

Denver would score two quick goals on the power play by Ty Loney and Joey LaLeggia to bring the score to 4-3.

That was all of the scoring that DU would get the rest of the way.

After giving up two quick goals on the five minute major penalty – UND didn't panic – they recovered and in the third period would again gain the upper hand on the Denver Pioneers. UND would ice the game with two more goals by senior forwards Danny Kristo and Corban Knight.

After last night’s game, UND head coach Dave Hakstol seem less than pleased with the effort of his squad. Again what a difference 24 hours made. Even with giving up two goals on the five minute power play, the head coaches seemed pleased with his team’s effort tonight.

“Well we put ourselves in a good position in that point and time,” Hakstol said. We haven’t given up that much. We found a way to gain the momentum but we gave that back pretty quickly with an unfortunately play.”

While the UND versus Denver Pioneer series traditionally can be a blood bath, this weekend’s series was relatively tame.

Originally post at the Hockey Writers Combine. 

Related articles

• Drake Caggiula turning heads at North Dakota (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND and DU skate to a 2-2 tie. (thehockeywriters.com)

DU vs. UND lines game 2

UND’s Forward lines

16 Mark MacMillan–10 Corban Knight (A) –7 Danny Kristo (A)

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

21 Brendan O’Donnell– 17 Colten St. Clair –13 Connor Gaarder

8 Daniel Senkbeil – 28 Steph Pattyn––11 Derek Rodwell

UND Defense Parings

2 Andrew MacWilliam (C) – Andrew Panzarella  22

18 Dillon Simpson–20 Joe Gleason

4 Derek Forbort – 24 Jordan Schmaltz

UND Goalies

33 Clarke Saunders

31 Zane Gothberg

Not in lineup: Michael Parks – 15 (injury), 29 Bryn Chyzyk  , Coltyn Sanderson – 26, Nick Mattson– 5.

Referees: Marco Hunt, Derek Shepherd

Assistant Referees: Nathan Freeman, Justin Hills

Denver Pioneers Forward Lines

11 Chris Knowlton–23 Nick Shore–19 Daniel Doremus
12 Ty Loney–26 Shawn Ostrow–39 Grant Arnold
9 Gabe Levin–27 Quentin Shore–25 Matt Tabrum
17 Garrett Allen

Denver Pioneers Defensive pairings

6 Dakota Mermis–7 Paul Phillips
21 Joey LaLeggia–2 Scott Mayfield
8 Nolan Zajac–10 David Makowski

Denver Goalies

1 Sam Brittain

31 Juho Olkinuora
33 Adam Murray

Related articles

• UND: The Weekend Ahead (12/7-12/8) (thehockeywriters.com)
• Shot Charts game one DU and UND (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Saturday Morning look at the numbers

Record….. SOS – Rank…Record vs. TUC.

Minnesota; 11-3-2 0.75 SOS - 44 0.4892 3-2-0

Denver; 9-4-2 SOS - 21 0.5145 5-3-1

North Dakota; 7-5-3 SOS - 4 0.5424 4-5-1

Nebraska-Omaha; 8-4-1 SOS - 45 0.4821 3-3-0

MSU-Mankato; 7-5-2 SOS - 42 0.4899 1-5-0

Colorado College; 8-8-1 SOS - 15 0.5199 1-7-1

St Cloud St; 8-7-0 SOS - 31 0.508 4-5-0

Minnesota-Duluth; 5-7-3 SOS – 27 0.5091 2-5-1

Alaska Anchorage; 3-6-4 SOS - 36 0.4984 1-5-2

Wisconsin; 2-7-4 SOS - 24 0.5113 1-5-2

Michigan Tech; 4-8-2 SOS - 43 0.4898 1-5-0

 Bemidji State; 3-8-2 SOS - 47 0.4728 1-5-0

Here’s a look at the numbers, here are the teams in the WCHA, and I have their record, Strength of Schedule and record against the TUC.  The WCHA isn’t doing well right now as far as Strength of Schedule goes and record against the TUC.

Five out of the last six weeks UND has played a ranked opponent. During those 10 games, UND has gone 5-4-2 (.545). UND’s strength of schedule is fourth overall in Division I hockey. Strength of schedule goes a long ways in determining seeding at the end of the season for the NCAA tourney. If your favorite team has a winning record against opponents that are team under consideration for the NCAA Tourney (TUC) your pairwise ranking will go up.

Shot Charts game one DU and UND

s/t to @StatsOnCrack... With the tie in last night’s game, UND now has a record of 2-0-3. UND is tied for first place in the WCHA for goals scored in overtime.

Senior forward Corban Knight was stellar in the the faceoff circle again last night, going 24-10. Senior forward Carter Rowney was 11-7.

Five out of the last six weeks UND has played a ranked opponent. During those 10 games, UND has gone 5-4-2 (.545). UND’s strength of schedule is fourth overall in Division I hockey. Strength of schedule goes a long ways in determining seeding at the end of the season for the NCAA tourney. If your favorite team has a winning record against opponents that are team under consideration for the NCAA Tourney (TUC) your pairwise ranking will go up.

UND has given up the first goal in seven of the 15 games that they have played in and have a 2-2-3 record. UND has a record of 5-3-0 in the games that they scored first in.

UND and DU skate to a 2-2 tie.

Grand Forks, ND – It's no mystery that the Denver Pioneers and the University of North Dakota don't like each other very much.

I would compare the historic rivalry to the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s feud. There are hours and hours of video on YouTube that back this up.

Tonight's game, didn't quite go to script as both teams for the most part played a disciplined game and took a combined 14 minor penalties, tame in comparison to previous games .

The series has had many twist and turns. The two teams have played four times in the playoffs since the 2009-10 season with UND winning all four games.

Denver would come into tonight’s game with a 0-3-1 record over the last four games after going 9-1-0 to start the season – so you had to know that DU would be in a foul mood, coming into tonight’s game.

In the last eight games, the two teams have played; UND has held a 6-2 edge in the series.

When the two teams play, records go out the window, tonight was no different. On the ice tonight, the two teams each scored one goal even strength and one goal on the power play as the two teams skated to a 2-2 tie.

Chris Knowlton and Scott Mayfield scored goals for the Denver Pioneers. Senior forwards Carter Rowney and Corban Knight had goals for the Green and White.

Coming into the season, UND had not won a game in overtime since the 2009 season. With the tie tonight, UND has a 2-0-3 record in overtime so far this season.

UND outshot the Pioneers 33-20, this was the third game in a row that UND has outshot their opponents but they weren't able to get the third goal late in the third period when UND was pressing.

According to UND SID Jayson Hajdu, "UND has outshot No. 6 Denver and No. 18 Colorado College 121-66 over the last three games." No small feat for the Green and White.

In the third period, Rocco Grimaldi missed a glorious opportunity to bury a goal that would have given UND the lead and possibly the win. After the game, Rocco Grimaldi was pretty hard on himself for not burying the potential game winning goal.

“For me I have to put that in that in the empty net,” Grimaldi said. “I don’t know how I missed the net – I hit the post whatever… so I have to bear down, so I basically lost the game. He [Juho Olkinuora] won it and I lost it for our team so.”

After the game head coach Dave Hakstol thought his team came out a little flat to start the game.

“I like the last 45 minutes,” Hakstol said. “I thought we finally got on track and played our game. I didn’t think we were what we wanted to be coming out of the gates at the drop of the puck.”

Denver came into tonight’s game with only 10 forwards due to an illness to Zac Larraza and a suspension to Larkin Jacobson.

Coach Hakstol’s team was able to roll four lines during most of the game and it appeared to play into UND’s favor as the game wore on. However, when the head coach was asked about this he wasn’t ready to say that his team benefited from playing the extra line.

“I think you can be if you have everyone playing from the start of the game,” Hakstol said. “Maybe that wasn’t the case tonight.”

Same two teams tomorrow night at 07:07 pm.

Cross posted at the Hockey Writers Combine.