Friday, February 21, 2014

UND vs. UMD game one lines

UND Forward lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
25 Mitch MacMillan–29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair
North Dakota Defense Pairings
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders


Minnesota Duluth’s lines
11 Austin Farley–21 Caleb Herbert–18 Joe Basaraba
14 Alex Iafallo–17 Dominic Toninato–26 Adam Krause
8 Kyle Osterberg–13 Tony Cameranesi–25 Justin Crandall
19 Max Tardy–27 Cal Decowski–23 Austyn Young
Minnesota Duluth Defense Pairings
4 Carson Soucy–7 Andy Welinski
6 Derik Johnson–15 Willie Raskob
5 Willie Corrin–3 Dan Molenaar

Minnesota Duluth Goalies

1 Aaron Crandall
36 Matt McNeely
30 Alex Fons



Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Women's Olympic Hockey: UND's Michelle Karvinen best woman's forward at the 2014 OIympics



UND All-World forward Michelle Karvinen has won the Directorate Award as the best forward in the 2014 Women's Olympic Hockey. That's an awesome honor for Karvinen. Now, will she even make second team All-WCHA? I think she deserves to. Karvinen scored (5g-2a--7pts) during the 2014 Sochi games.


Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Women's Olympic Hockey: a game of Inches... So Close



I guess it's not really cliche' Hockey is a game of inches....
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Olympic Women's Hockey: Hilary Knight trips Hayley Wickenheiser - GIF


Here's a good look at controversial penalty in OT. It does look like USA forward Hilary Knight gets a skate on Canadian forward Hayley Wickenheiser. I think she might have made contact with her stick or hand as well.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Women's Olympic Hockey: USA vs. Canada gold medal game - Open thread

What a save by the Canadian goalie. And I don't think either contry wants him.











Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

The race for the Penrose Cup is on.  We are down to the last three weekends of NCHC regular season play.  The only thing we know for sure is Miami is out of contention for the title.  The other good bet is CC will also not win the title.


NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points
St. Cloud St……………….11-4-3-0…………...36
North Dakota……………..11-7-0-0…..…….….33
Nebraska-Omaha………..9-7-2-1…..…………30
Denver…………………….8-7-3-2…….…….…29
Minnesota-Duluth………..8-8-2-2….…….……28
Western Michigan……….8-8-2-1…….……….28
Colorado College……….. 4-9-5-1…….….…...18
Miami………………………4-13-1-1….…….….14


NCHC Games

Colorado College vs #22 Denver (home/home)
Last weekend the Tigers tied and beat the Broncos (4-4SOW, 3-0W) in Colorado Springs and the Pioneers split with the Mavericks (4-2L, 4-1W) in Omaha.

The fight for the Gold Pan continues this weekend.  The teams met back in November, with the Pioneers winning the first game in a shoot-out and taking the second game 2-1 in regulation.  The Tigers shot at the title are not realistic, but a shot at taking arch-rival Denver out of the race picture is realistic.  The Pioneers need to get points this weekend for two reasons, one to keep the last home ice spot, and keep a shot at the title within reach.  I think CC will get a win this weekend and so will DU.  SPLIT


#28 Nebraska-Omaha @ #22 Western Michigan
Last weekend the Mavericks split with the Pioneers (4-2W, 4-1L) in Omaha and the Broncos tied and lost to Tigers (4-4SOL, 3-0L) in Colorado Springs.

The Broncos have been hit and miss this season, one weekend their hot, the next their not.  It’s hard to guess what WMU team will show up at Kalamazoo this weekend.  The Broncos are 5-6-1 at home this season and the Mavericks are 5-5-2 on the road.  The numbers point to these old CCHA teams splitting this weekend’s games.  SPLIT


#3 SCSU @ Miami
Last weekend the Huskies swept the Bulldogs (5-3, 4-3) in St. Cloud and the RedHawks were swept by NoDak (3-2, 9-2) in Grand Forks.

Honestly what can I say about this series, the top team in the conference versus the bottom team.  A bottom team now, that started off the season the top team in the nation, in the pre-season polls.  The RedHawks have fallen on hard times, especially after their last game in Grand Forks.  MU might show some life this weekend, to prove that they are not dead, and recoup some pride.  The Huskies on the other hand look to be rolling right along, and could just flatten the RedHawks this weekend.  A SCSU sweep would just about secure them home ice advantage and dibs on the Penrose Cup.  I think the RedHawks might surprise the Huskies, but they still won’t win.  HUSKIES SWEEP


#11 North Dakota @ #16 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend NoDak swept the RedHawks (3-2, 9-2) in Grand Forks and the Bulldogs were swept by the Huskies (5-3, 4-3) in St. Cloud.

These teams met back in November in Grand Forks, with UND wining the opener 4-2, and UMD winning the next night 6-3.  The Bulldogs might have lost their shot at the conference last weekend at SCSU, now eight points behind the Huskies.  But NoDak is holding steady at second place with a shot next weekend at SCSU.  NoDak needs to keep on keeping on, and that means getting at least one win this weekend in Duluth.  If the can play like they did last Saturday, watch out, they can score goals.  UMD needs to play sound defense this weekend to keep the scoring low, if they want to win.  SPLIT 

Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Talent doesn't always win games.


Can't say that I am real sad that the Russians lost today. Saw that one coming, actually.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , ,

Zach Parise goal GIF


This was Zach Parise's first point of the 2014 Sochi games. If you're not following @PETEBLACKBURN on twitter, I recommend doing so.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Olympic Hockey: And then there were four teams

\

Going to be an awesome day of hockey on Friday.Game time for the USA vs. Canada is 11:00 A.M. on Friday.




Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

Canada Outshoots Latvia 57-14

I think this sums it up pretty well, Latvia has a pretty good goalie
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

USA vs. Canada twitter

The Women's Olympic Hockey team goes for gold against the Canada "the Evil Empire" tomorrow.








Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Rocco Grimaldi 2nd best play of the week in the NCAA



It's a double for Rocco Grimaldi this week as the Sophomore forward has the second best play of the week in the NCAA. But we're not done there, Rocco also has the second best goal in the NCHC this week.




Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Deadspin: IIHF To Change Rule That Gave U.S. Victory Over Russia

100 px
100 px (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Apparently, all of the grumbling about the way USA won the game against the Russians will cause the IIHF to change the dislodged net rule.
Barry Petchesky, Deadspin – The IIHF intends to go that route too. President Rene Fasel spoke to reporters today. From Championat.ru, via and translated by Puck Daddy:

What can you say about the disallowed goal because of the dislodged net?

"We will change that rule. To disallow a goal because of two centimeters? That's nonsense. But that is the existing rule, nothing can be done. That's why I think that this rule needs to be changed and officiate the way it is done in the NHL. That's what we will do."
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

NHL won't adopt T.J. Oshie Rule

Original NHL logo, used until 2005. A version ...
Original NHL logo, used until 2005. A version of the logo features it in the shape of a hockey puck. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
According to Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy, don't count on the NHL adopting the T.J. Oshie Rule. I would say that I like this... It works great for International play.
Puck Daddy -- “Obviously, the one feature that’s different in international competition and the National Hockey League is the ability to use the same shooter in a game-winning shots competition,” said deputy commissioner Bill Daly on Tuesday, before the qualification round of the Sochi Olympic tournament.

“We haven’t even talked about that with our general managers at any point and time, but I would very surprised if the general managers would ever be supportive of that type of concept. It’s tough enough that they don’t like the shootout as it is.”

One of the reasons why the GMs would find the concept repellant: The idea that “shootout specialists” might need to be a consideration on their rosters. Which would be great news for the Linus Omarks of the world, but not something Daly sees the League’s team executives desiring all that much.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

No NHL players in 2018 Olympic games?

I think it’s a horrible idea to not send the NHL players to the 2018 Olympics games. I like the concept of having the best players in the world playing in the Olympics games. The hockey this season has been amazing.
Steve Keating -- SOCHI, Russia (Reuters)The National Hockey League (NHL) was non-committal about players' future participation in the Olympics on Tuesday, leaving open the possibility that the Sochi Games might be the last to showcase the world's best players.

The three most powerful men in hockey - Rene Fasel, head of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Players Association chief Donald Fehr - had no firm answers for reporters when asked whether NHL players would be back in four years' time.

"Yes, Rene would love for Don and I to say today that we are coming (to Pyeongchang), but he knows that's not the case," said Bettman. "This is the fifth time we have participated in the Olympic tournament - where we are in this process should not be a shock to anybody."

In North America, talk persists that Sochi will mark the final time that NHL players will be seen on Olympic ice. Bettman insisted nothing has been decided and negotiations would continue, as has been the case after every Winter Games.
I remain hopeful that will see the NHL players in Pyeongchang. Thoughts on this?
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

Monday, February 17, 2014

Noora Raty's retirement letter.



Noora Raty is probably the best female goaltender in the world, and she's has a lot of valid points. Raty's retirement letter said a lot of things that many of us grapple with as we move forward in our adult lives. Women's hockey is good hockey and the product has grown on the ice and she is definitely one of  the pioneers in the sport. I consider myself lucky enough to seen her play in person.  I wish her good luck in what ever she does. 

Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

UND 11th in both National Polls

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

Rk. School (1st place) Record Pts. PR
1. Boston College (49) 24-4-3 999 1
2. Minnesota (1) 21-4-5 948 2
3. Union 20-6-4 884 3
4. St. Cloud State 17-6-5 832 6
5. Quinnipiac 21-6-5 778 4
6. Ferris State 21-7-3 755 4
7. Massachusetts-Lowell 20-7-3 740 7
8. Wisconsin 17-9-2 655 8
9. Northeastern 17-10-3 563 12
10. Michigan 14-9-3 487 10
11. North Dakota 16-9-3 435 17
12. Providence 15-9-6 428 9
13. Cornell 12-7-5 411 11
14. Yale 13-8-4 336 13
15. Notre Dame 17-12-2 255 20
16. Vermont 15-11-3 205 15
17. Maine 15-10-3 175 NR
18. Denver 14-10-6 157 18
19. Colgate 14-11-5 138 19
20. Minnesota Duluth 13-11-4 112 16
Others receiving votes: Clarkson 95, Minnesota State 65, Ohio State 29, New Hampshire 6, Air Force 5, Western Michigan 4, Nebraska Omaha 2, Mercyhurst 1.

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll    

1. Boston College (33) 24-4-3 509 1
2. Minnesota (1) 21-4-5 477 2
3. Union 20-6-4 411 3
4. St. Cloud State 17-6-5 398 6
5. Ferris State 21-7-3 360 4
6. Quinnipiac 21-6-5 356 5
7. Massachusetts-Lowell 20-7-3 309 7
8. Wisconsin 17-9-2 281 8
9. Northeastern 17-10-3 217 12
10. Michigan 14-9-3 168 11
11. North Dakota 16-9-3 144 NR
12. Providence 15-9-6 129 9
13. Cornell 12-7-5 110 10
14. Yale 13-8-4 82 13
15. Maine 15-10-3 43 NR
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

(Edit) Women's Hockey: Team USA and Canada for the Gold


Round two of the Hatfields and McCoys... Should be a great game. Nice to know they will be the first North Dakotas to win two Olympic medals.



Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

UND vs. UMD TV programming note

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – With the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) race going down to the wire, fans can see both games of North Dakota’s critical Feb. 21-22 series at Minnesota Duluth on live television.

Friday’s game will be broadcast live nationally on FOX Sports North Plus, which is also available on DirecTV channels 652-1 (HD) and 652 (SD) and DISH Network channels 9515 (HD) and 445 (SD).

Saturday’s game can be seen live regionally on Midco Sports Network channel 622 (HD) and 26 (SD).

Coverage from UMD’s AMSOIL Arena begins both nights at 7 p.m. Central. Tom Hansen will handle the play-by-play duties alongside former Minnesota Duluth player Judd Medak.

North Dakota will enter the series tied for second place, three points ahead of third place  Nebraska-Omaha, just three points behind league-leading St. Cloud State and five points ahead of Minnesota Duluth, which is tied for fifth place.

Note: It was originally announced earlier this month that Midco Sports Network would televise both games of the series. With FOX Sports North Plus now carrying Friday’s game, Midco Sports Network will pick up Saturday’s game only.
Posted by at
Labels: ,

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Angry Russians level their guns at USA referee

Good stuff here. Russian star Alex Ovechkin accused American goaltender Jonathan Quick of dislodging the net.
Greg Heakes, Sochi — Russia blasted American referee Brad Meier Saturday for disallowing a goal that would have given them a lead late in their Olympic Games hockey clash they eventually lost to the USA in a shootout.

"The referee made a mistake," said Russian coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov following the Russians 3-2 loss to the Americans in a preliminary round contest.

"Of course, it would have been more effective to have a different judge."

T.J. Oshie scored four times in the shootout after a roller-coaster contest in front of a raucous crowd of 11,678 at the Bolshoi Ice Dome.

Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin insisted the goal should have counted and said that USA goaltender Jonathan Quick deserved a penalty for intentionally dislodging it.

"It was definitely a goal. The goalie touched the net so that the net moved," Ovechkin said. "The referee had to see it. He should have given him two minutes."

With the score tied 2-2, the Russians appeared to have scored the go-ahead goal with just under five minutes left in the third on a shot from the point by Fyodor Tyutin.
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , ,

UND Hockey: Not all Doom and Gloom today


After giving up a two goal last weekend, it seems like things were looking kind of glum. What a difference a week makes. With the win, UND moved up in the Pairwise Rankings.

Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

UND pounds Miami 9-2 in Grand Forks

Grand Forks, ND – The first shot on net by the University of North Dakota went into the Miami net. Unfortunately for UND, the referee ruled that junior forward Mark MacMillan interfered with the Miami goalie Ryan McKay. Video replay confirmed that MacMillan caught the McKay with a forearm, in the head, knocking his goalie mask off– you can’t do that.
The next shot by sophomore defenseman Jordan Schmaltz went in the net, this time it counted. UND would have another goal waved off in the first period, but it didn’t seem to faze UND all that much.
“It didn’t seem to matter,” head coach Dave Hakstol said. “We were ready to play. We had a great start. Couple of disallowed goals through the first period, but it really didn’t matter.  We were ready to play the next shift. Everybody was ready to play.”
UND would push the lead to 2-0, when sophomore forward Colton St. Clair scored his second goal of the season to make it 2-0. That was St. Clair’s first goal since October 19, 2013, when he scored against Miami.
Rocco Grimaldi and Keaton Thompson scored four minutes apart to push the lead to 4-0 after one period of hockey, and the route was on.
UND would score four more goals in the second period, and add a single goal on the power-play in the closing seconds of the third period. Yeah, you heard that right, UND scored two power-play goals on Saturday night. On Saturday night, UND was 2-5 on the much maligned power-play. After coming to the series going 3-for-38 on the power-play, UND was 3-11 (27.3%) for the weekend on the man advantage.
North Dakota had two goals waved off in the first period, but it didn’t seem to matter, as UND took Miami to the proverbial woodshed, winning 9-2. That was most goals that UND had scored at the Ralph Engelstad Arena since December 31, 2011, when UND beat Havard 7-3.
“I thought we had great jump from the start. all the way through the first period,” Rocco Grimaldi said. “I thought that every line was building momentum, every time they were on the ice. The power-play was clicking. Things were just going our way. It was a total team effort.”
While Grimaldi led UND with a goal and three assists, he was quick to credit his fellow teammates who played a sold 60-minute game.
“It was total team effort, every guy did his part,” Grimaldi said. “Every guy played his heart out, and was just motivated to get the three points. Especially looking at last weekend, we had Omaha on the ropes on Saturday night, and let it slip away and let them score five unanswered (goals). It was a message that was preached a lot.”
There were a lot of positives for UND tonight and the head coach seemed pleased with his team’s effort, 14 players recorded at least a point, and five players record two or more points.
“I thought our third period, other than probably two or three shifts where I thought we were happy to play defense in our own zone," Hakstol said. "We played on our toes. Guys were having fun.  Again, nobody stepped outside the box. They just went out and played well, played hard."
Sophomore goalie Zane Gothberg returned from injury, and continued his torrid streak. Over his last 10 starts, Gothberg is 9-0-1 with a 1.79 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.
UND now has two of its three remaining series on the road. Next weekend, UND travels to Minnesota Duluth, to play the Bulldogs in an important two-game NCHC series. With the win, UND improves to (16-9-3 and 10-7 NCHC).

Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Video evidence that UND was on side for Rocco Grimaldi's goal


Rico Blasi was livid after Rocco Grimaldi's goal, apparently he thought the UND was offsides at the blueline. After reviewing the video, you can see it was a good goal.

Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

T.J. Oshie Shootout Vine



This doesn't get old. Big day for team USA and T.J. Oshie.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Evidence of Questionable Officiating Feb. 15 - UNO/DU Game (Redwing77)

An ice hockey referee signals a penalty for hi...
An ice hockey referee signals a penalty for high sticking. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ok, this isn't UND related but...  I saw a play that had everyone, including the commentators on NET baffled.  Unfortunately, I do not have the capability to record off of my DVR to my computer so... I hope it shows up somewhere.

Here's the situation:  UNO's Tanner Lane (#7) is chasing DU's David Makowski (#10) into the DU zone after a puck.  Right after Makowski takes possession of the puck and heads deeper into the zone, Tanner Lane swings his stick at the back of Makowski's helmet.  Here's the thing:  The Ref is looking DIRECTLY at the play.  No Call.  Here's where it gets dicey.  Replay is inconclusive as to whether or not Lane's stick even touches Makowski.  If it did, it would have hit right on the crown of the back of Makowski's helmet.  Ok, seems cut and dry right?  NO CALL????

Let's say contact WAS made.  Isn't that Slashing?  Contact to the head?  It is DEFINITELY a penalty, right?

Ok, so no contact was made.  Makowski skates 3-4 full slides before ducking, then ducking more, then crumpling to the ice just in time to slide across the back red line (the incident occurred just at the top of the faceoff circles in the DU zone along the boards).  Uh....  I'm no expert, per se, but if you got chopped in the BACK OF THE HEAD by a STICK, wouldn't the pain or impulse to go down be, say, INSTANT?  HE NEVER LOST POSSESSION OF THE PUCK UNTIL HE TURTLED!!!!!!

So, here's what I see:  The Ref HAS to make a penalty one way or another.  EITHER WAY it is a penalty!  If contact was made, the NCAA MANDATES contact to the head is a penalty!!!!  If contact was NOT made then the RULEBOOK requires that a penalty gets called because Makowski DOVE.  And, lets face it, faking a head injury is well.... to put it bluntly:  it's the opposite of sportsmanship.

IF Don Adam does INDEED review officiating performances, then these two buffoons in Omaha tonight will be getting a rather tense phone call.  Either the integrity of the game was pissed upon, or the refs just gave the middle finger to player safety.  Either way, that's BAD officiating.
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

UND vs. Miami Lines - Game Two

Miami University Redskins logo
Miami University Redskins logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
UND Forward Lines
9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell
20 Gage Ausmus – 29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair

UND Defense Pairings
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
4 Keaton Thompson – 2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies
31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Scratches: 7 Wade Murphy 22 Andrew Panzarella, 25 – Mitch MacMillan, 26 - Coltyn Sanderson, 30 Matt Hrynkiw.

Miami University RedHawks Forward Lines
95 Anthony Louis – 7 Austin Czarnik © - 11 Riley Barber
10 Alex Wideman – 9 Sean Kuraly – 12 Alex Gacek
14 Cody Murphy – 26 Justin Greenberg – 19 Max Cook (A)
18 John Doherty – 22 Kevin Morris – 15 Bryon Paulazzo (A)

Miami RedHawks Defense Pairings
8 Matthew Caito – 5 Chris Joyaux
4 Matt Joyaux – 28 Paulides
2 Taylor Richart – 55 Trevor Hamilton

Miami RedHawk Goalies
35 Ryan McKay
1 Jay Williams


Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

T.J. Oshie is trending on Twitter.

T.J. Oshie is trending on twitter right now... Seriously, what a rock star. Now he has 90,000+ followers on Twitter.




Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

T.J. Oshie, again


TJ Oshie, Again from Kyle Scott on Vimeo.


What is it with ex-UND hockey players and the shootout?
Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

UND Hockey: Discovering Your Inner Geek

UND is 15-2-1 when they score three or more goals and is 0-7-2 when score two or less.

Junior forward Mark MacMillan is red hot right now, scoring (5g-6a—11pts) in his last nine games.

Mike Parks has (2g-4a—6pts) in the last three game. During the last 11 games he has scored 14 points (6g-8a—14pts).

With a (1g-1a—2pts) Last night, Mike Parks is now ranked second in “league points” in the NCHC. Parks has (8g-10a—18pts).

Since being put together three games ago, Mark MacMillan (4g-3a—7pts) – Michael Park (2g-4a—6pts) – Drake Caggiula (1g-2a—3pts)have combined for (6g-9a—15pts).

“Real American Hero’s are wearing camo, that’s not me,” Former UND forward T.J. Oshie
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

UND Holds on to Beat Miami 3-2

Grand Forks, ND – The University of North Dakota hockey team has been on a tear during the second half of the season. With the 3-2 win on Friday night against the Miami RedHawks, they improve their record to 11-2-1 in the last 14 games and (15-9-3, 10-7 NCHC) overall. UND is now tied with Nebraska-Omaha for second place in the NCHC with 30 points.

Junior forward Mark MacMillan has been on a hot streak for UND, the junior forward from Penticton, British Columbia, chipped in two goals and an assist to lead UND. During the last nine games, MacMillan has scored (5g-6a—11pts). When asked about his junior forward, head coach Dave Hakstol has this to say.

“He played a good hockey game,” Hakstol said. “He was moving his feet. He used his linemates well. I thought he played a good hockey game. I don’t think there was anything spectacular, but he played a real good hockey.”

Coming into the game, the UND power-play has been ice cold, and hadn’t scored a power-play goal since January, 24, 2014.  On Friday night, UND finally broke through on the power-play going 1-for-6.  After the game, coach Hakstol had this to say about UND’s struggling power-play.

“You guys are making a big deal about it, not me,’ Hakstol said. “We had a bad weekend last weekend, that’s all. You can put that behind you. We did a good job tonight. Tonight’s a new night.”

This past week, UND made some adjustments on their power-play. The coaching staff moved junior forward Stephane Pattyn to the power-play and it seemed to work.

“One of the areas where I thought we were better tonight was gaining possession in the offensive zone,” Hakstol said. “That’s one of the things that Steph Pattyn is pretty good at.  He’s a big body and a strong guy that can go to the front of the net. Maybe that’s something he can bring as well. Probably first thing is getting in and getting that initial possession.

UND’s lone power-play goal wasn’t a thing of beauty, but that didn’t seem to matter to the burly assistant captain.

“It wasn’t pretty, but it counts,” Pattyn said. “We have put a lot of work on power-play and made a couple of changes, so we’ll take it.”

Coming into the game, Clarke Saunders had been lights out on Friday nights and not so good on Saturday nights. Last night, Saunders stopped 31-of-33 shots (.939%). Even with the bad game last Saturday, Saunder’s teammates never lost confidence in their starting goalie.

“He had a good game night tonight, Hakstol said. “Especially when the game was 3-1, I thought he made two or three key saves to keep the game at 3-1. I thought he did a good job tonight.”

“Not at all, He was great all week in practice,” Pattyn said. “We have faith in him. We knew he was going come back and have a great game and if he’s in tomorrow he will do the same thing.”

With the win, the UND head coach surpassed the 250 win mark. After the game, coach Hakstol was asked about his thoughts on getting his 250th win tonight.

“I didn’t know that,” Hakstol said. “No comment. It was a good team win for us. I thought we had some good play out of all of our lines. We’ve got to get ready for a battle tomorrow.”

UND will try to push his win total to 251 when they play the second game of the two-game serious tonight at 7:00 P.M. Central at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

(Official Box Score)
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

(Video) UND 3 Miami 2



Kudos to CBS Sports Network, when they cover the games, their broadcasts are second to none. Here's something to chew on, during the 11-2-1 run, UND has won five games by a score of 3-2. Breaking it down further, UND is 15-2-1 when they score three or more goals. UND is 0-7-2 when they score two or less.

Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)