UND Hockey: Finding the silver lining in a Penrose-less day

Obviously, the UND hockey team is known for its second half surges. This season’s second half surge was the fifth best of Dave Hakstol’s coaching tenure at UND. Looking at the schedule and the results, I think it’s safe to say that on November 30, 2013, this season’s second half surge commenced.

While many of us are disappointed that UND didn’t win last night. There are many things to be excited about as well. This loss didn’t sit well with the players either.

I don’t know if anyone thought this team would own an  20-11-3 record after starting the season 4-7-2. I think this team might have actually exceeded expectations.

Since November 30, 2013, UND is averaging 3.25 goals per game and giving up 2.06 goals against per game.

After the rough start, I didn’t think that they would end up in second place of the NCHC standings. Nonetheless, the loss last night is kind of disappointing. The focus of the team now turns to getting a green banner.  

I think it’s safe to say that this team transformed from a hockey team finding its way, to a team that’s a threat to win a league playoff title and an NCAA title. What happens to them, will determined in the next few weeks.  

During that time, sophomore goalie Zane Gothberg is 13-2-1 with a .935 save percentage and a 1.63 goals against average. It’s hard to believe that Gothberg started the season off with a 2-5-2 record.

Speaking of Gotberg, he won the NCHC GAA title (2.26).  He beat out he beat out Ryan Massa (2.27). He was also tied for second with Lukas Hafner from Western Michigan in save percentage (.924).

Breaking down the numbers: After Saturday night’s game, UND is now 1-9-2 (.167) in games when they score two or fewer goals.

UND is 11-0-0 when they score four or more goals.

UND is 8-10-3 when they scored three or more goals.

UND is 6-7-1 when the opponent scores first.

When UND leads after the first period, they have a 11-1-1 record.

When UND leads after the second period, they have a 15-1-0 record.

When UND is behind after two periods, they have 1-8-0 record

When the opposition leads after the first period, UND has a 6-7-1 record.

UND is 6-6-0 against Nationally Ranked Opponents.

I don’t know what to make of this stat… UND is 6-0-0 on CBSSN.

Nic Kerdiles scores a dirty goal (Vine)

s/t to Andy Johnson... Badgers freshman forward Nic Kerdiles' scores his 13th goal of the season. Wow, that's a dirty goal. The Badgers beat PSU 3-2 in overtime.

Playoff Hockey is here

NCHC first round

No. 8 Miami (12-19-3) – PWR 40 at No. 1 St. Cloud State (21-8-5) – PWR 5

No. 7 Colorado College (6-22-6) – PWR 51 at No. 2 North Dakota (20-11-3) – PWR 10

No. 6 Denver (16-14-6) – PWR 26 at No. 3 Nebraska Omaha (16-16-2) – PWR 34

No. 5 Western Michigan (17-14-5) – PWR 21 at No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth (16-14-4) – PWR  19

The NCHC Playoff bracket is set. predictions and thoughts.

Western Spoils Senior night for UND

Grand Forks, ND – On Saturday night, UND honored four seniors for their commitment to the University of North Dakota Hockey program.

The stage was set. Coming into Saturday’s game, there was a lot on the line. UND had a chance to win the Penrose Trophy for the regular season champion National Collegiate Hockey Conference. All UND had to do was beat the Western Michigan University Broncos to capture at least a tie for the regular-season title.

Sounds simple, right?

That’s no easy task. Standing in their way, the Broncos who are coached by former NHL head coach Andy Murray. The Broncos proved to be a miserable team to play against. They limited UND’s time and space and didn’t give them an opportunity to set up in the offensive zone in the later stages of the game.

WMU also has goaltender Lukas Hafner (7-6-2, .922 SV% and a 2.12 GAA).   Tonight, Hafner was very good. The Toledo, Ohio product stopped 28-of-29 shots.

Ironically, standing in the way of UND winning the inaugural Penrose was the last two teams invited to join the NCHC, Western Michigan and Saint Cloud State.

“It sucks,” junior defenseman Nick Mattson said. “You can’t really sugar coat that one. That was an opportunity that we worked our butts off all year, to put ourselves in that spot. Tough to let it slip away.”

With the loss to the Broncos and the Saint Cloud State win, UND (20-11-3, 15-9-0 NCHC) will host seventh place Colorado College (6-22-6, 6-13-5 NCHC) in the first round of the NCHC playoffs. The focus now turns to the ultimate prize, the conference playoffs, a league title and an NCAA title.

“At the end of the day, that one stings,” senior captain Dillon Simpson said. “There was a lot on the line. It being senior night for me and my classmates. That was one we definitely wanted. Like I said in that dressing room, we missed out on a white banner, but our angle is still the same. We have to move forward towards that.”

“I am looking at the big picture, head coach Dave Hakstol said. “How good of a job the guys in that locker room have done, coming together. Pushing hard to be a good team – we are a good team. It stings. At this time of year, you have to have a short memory.”

UND thought they had gotten a break. With the game tied 1-1, Bronco forward Josh Pitt was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for contact to the head at the 05:53 mark of the third period.  Western forward Colton Hargrove would score the game winning goal,  shorthanded, two minutes later.

“Even after giving up the shorthanded goal, we just couldn’t get enough going in the offensive zone, possession wise or offensively,” Hakstol said.

UND will host the Best-of-three, first-round series at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The series starts Friday March 14, 2014, at 7:38 p.m. Central.

Stats of interest

On November 30, 2013, UND was 4-7-2 UND. Since that time, UND has gone 16-4-1.

Since November 30, 2013, Zane Gothberg is 13-2-1, with a .935 save percentage and a 1.63 goals against average.

UND goalie Zane Gothberg finished first in the NCHC with a 2.02 Goals Against Average. Gothberg was also tied for second with Lukas Hafner with a 2.24 Save Percentage

Related articles

• UND Slips Past WMU (insidehockey.com)
• Saturday Morning Pontifications: Is there a Penrose Trophy in the Future? (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND vs. WMU - Game 2 (Senior Night)

North Dakota Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
28 Stephane Pattyn–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

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

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Western Michigan Broncos Forward Lines

8 Sheldon Dries–29 Will Kessel–25 Mike Cichy
24 Shane Berschbach–13 Chase Balisy–16 Nolan LaPorte

2 Mike McKee–28 Sam Mellor–23 Aaron Hadley
14 Colton Hargrove–10 Josh Pitt–17 Justin Kovacs

Western Michigan Broncos Defense Pairings

3 Thomas Nitsche–7 Kenney Morrison
9 Chris Dienes–20 Taylor Fleming
15 Jordan Oesterle–11 Dennis Brown

Western Michigan Broncos Goalies

1 Frank Slubowski
55 Lukas Hafner

On-Ice Officials: Derek Shepherd (3), Joe Sullivan (21). Linesmen: Andy Dokken (70), Brandon Schmitt (36). 

@UNDMHockey #THANKYOUSENIORS pic.twitter.com/FJ7QQVWqta
— MICHAEL BINGHAM (@m_bingham42_) March 8, 2014

Saturday Morning Pontifications: Is there a Penrose Trophy in the Future?

Since November 30, 2013, UND goalie Zane Gothberg is 13-1-1 with a .936 save percentage and 1.59 goals against average. During that same time, UND is 16-3-2. Also, senior goalie time Clarke Saunders has a 3-2-0 record during the same time. UND started the season 4-7-2, they were going nowhere fast and they were sitting in the bottom of the NCHC Standings. In looking at the turnaround,  we might be able to credit the player's only meeting in late November. When asked about the turnaround, Gothberg was quick to give credit to the coaches.

“Obviously it starts with our coaching staff,” Gothberg said. “They’ve been through the ropes. They’ve been through everything, throughout the years. And I think it just kind of came down from them.”

Gothberg continued, “Once we figured out how to play our game, each guy bought in. It was a simple mentality change. Just a little bit before Christmas break. It was kind of cool to see what happened. You know what, we’re going out and proving ourselves every night, still. Proving to ourselves, and to our team that we can be even better.”

With the win last night, UND is either going to be playing Colorado College or Miami University. It’s just a matter of with team finishes number one, and which team finishes number two. UND is 2-0-0 against C.C. and 3-1-0 against Miami. Neither team is an easy out. So, we now have the four home teams for the NCHC playoffs, UND, SCSU, UMD and UNO. We'll know exact seeding at about 10:30 p.m.

It’s hard to believe that WMU is the sixth place team in the NCHC. Based on what I have seen, they’re a pretty good hockey team. It was fun to listen to former NHL coach Andy Murray after the game.

Here’s a few statistics to chew on. After finding it hard to score goals earlier in the season, UND is the third in the NCHC for goals for with 75. First is SCSU with 83 and second is Nebraska-Omaha with 78. Defensively, UND is second with 61 goals against, Denver is first with 56.

As I mentioned earlier in the season, I thought UND was a good hockey team that was trying to find their way. Some wanted to abandon the team. Early in the season, I went to a few practices and saw some of the goings on when the team was down. It was not all fun and games around the UND locker room, I can tell you that. You could feel the tension around the UND hockey team. I asked someone if it was stretch run was on already… Their response was, oh yeah. It's on.

That being said, there’s a lot of skill on this team. There’s also a lot of team speed. This is one of the fastest UND hockey teams that I have seen in a very long time. The play starts with the “D” and they lead the breakout, out of the defensive zone, in a lot of cases. If you can, focus on players like Jordan Schmaltz, Dillon Simpson or Paul LaDue, they’re very good with the puck. I think this team gets out of the defensive zone better than last year’s team, and that team had a lot of high-end offensive talent.

The UND hockey team is transforming from being a bruising team that checks you out of the building and takes a lot of penalties, to a team that can skate with the Boston Colleges. This is no accident. UND is changing like the NHL game has.

Tonight, UND will honor four very classy seniors, defenseman Dillon Simpson, forward Mitch MacMillan, forward Derek Rodwell and goaltender Clarke Saunders. If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch this week’s “Through These Doors”. There’s some very good stuff.

On my way to work this morning, Simpson was on “Hockey on Campus” and I just can’t get over the fact that Simpson isn’t even 21 years old yet. The senior defenseman came to UND as a young age of 17. There’s freshmen on this team that are older than him. Age is just a number.

Surprising result of the night: After being named NCHC Goalie of the week, Ryan Massa gave up four goals on 27 shots to the UMD Bulldogs. UMD would win the game 8-2. Tony Cameranesi and Justin Crandall paced UMD with two goals each.

UND beats WMU 2-0

Grand Forks, ND –  University of North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol has won 20 games in each of the 10 seasons  that he’s coached. No other active Division I hockey coach can make that claim.

North Dakota started the season 4-7-2, and since November 30, 2013, has gone on a 16-3-1 run. Tonight, UND got the 20th win of their season by shutting out a scrappy Western Michigan 2-0 at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

In the second period, UND scored two goals 18 seconds apart by forwards Stephane Patty and Luke Johnson to break the game open. Sophomore goalie Zane Gothberg preserved the win, recording his second shutout of the season stopping 18-of-18 shots.

“Obviously it starts with our coaching staff,” Gothberg said. “They’ve been through the ropes. They’ve been through everything, throughout the years. And I think it just kind of came down from them.”

Gothberg continued, “Once we figured out how to play our game, each guy bought in. It was a simple mentality change, just a little bit before Christmas break. It was kind of cool to see what happened. You know what, we’re going out and proving ourselves every night, still. Proving to ourselves and to our team that we can be even better.”

After the game, Western Michigan head coach Andrew Murray was asked about his thoughts on his team’s play.

“I give North Dakota a lot of credit,” Western Michigan head coach Andy Murray said. “I actually thought our game in the first 15 minutes was pretty darn good.  We had two or three great chances in front of (Zane) Gothberg, and he made some good saves.”

“North Dakota was hungry and they were sniffing blood, and they came after us. They played hard, and we weren’t as good as they were.”

Coach Murray was asked what his team needed to do to get the win on Saturday night.

“There are a number of things that we need to do differently,” Murray said. “Coach needs to be better. We’re playing against a very good North Dakota team. I think you could tell we were ready to play tonight, the way we can, in the first 15 minutes. In reality, we could have been up by a couple of goals, here. They’re a good team and their coaches do a very good job. I think both teams play very similar. They just played better.”

After the game the UND players shared their thoughts.

“It was a good game,” sophomore forward Luke Johnson said. “I thought we played really well. I thought we played with a lot of pace. We played pretty fast, and they did too.”

“Probably the only people who believed in us was ourselves in that locker room,” junior forward Stephane Pattyn said. “We had a bit of a rough start there, it was ugly. We just stuck together. Everyone just nutted up and got the job done. We’re just going to have to keep doing the same thing.”

Tonight’s game was a hard fought game, and was a tie game until the 17:21 mark of the second period.  UND finally broke the game over with a couple of quick goals 18 seconds apart.

“It was nice that we got rewarded,” head coach Dave Hakstol said. “I thought we had a pretty good period. Then at 17 minutes (of the second period) or whatever it was, we didn’t have a lot to show for it. A nice power-play goal followed up with another quick one was critical for that period.”

With the win, North Dakota (20-10-3, 15-8-3 NCHC) has a chance to win the Penrose Trophy on the final night of the regular season.

With the loss, Western Michigan (16-14-5, 10-11-2 NCHC) will be on the road for the first round of the NCHC playoffs.

On Saturday night, the same two teams play again at 07:00 p.m. Central.

A few statistics from the game

UND out shot WMU 38-18 for the game.

Friday night’s game, was the first time UND has beaten a team when it scored two goals or fewer, UND is  now 1-8-2  (.181).

UND has killed 20 of the last 21 opponents power-plays.

[Box Score]

UND Hockey: Game Day links for both the Men and Women

Congrats to the UND Women's team for beating the Wisconsin Badgers 1-0 in the first round of the WCHA Final Faceoff. They advance to play the winner of the UMN and UMD game tomorrow.

The UND Men's team will attempt to win the Penrose Trophy this weekend. Standing in their way, the Western Michigan Broncos. UND beat WMU 3-2, 3-2 in Kalamazoo, Michigan earlier in the season.

UND and SCSU currently tied at top of the NCHC with 42 points. Both teams have two games remaining. You can watch the C.C. vs. SCSU game on CSBSN.

TV: Midco Sports Network (ch. 622 & 26) || Radio: 96.1 FM The Fox, http://t.co/AZgE0g116z, iHeart Radio || Webcast: http://t.co/AZgE0g116z
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) March 7, 2014

Photo album from today's 1-0 win over Wisconsin: http://t.co/0Gb8v0c3Me
— North Dakota WHockey (@UNDWHockey) March 8, 2014

Postgame presser time. @meghandufault and #twitterlessShelby with coach Idalski up for UND pic.twitter.com/vYqFi4wf6e
— North Dakota WHockey (@UNDWHockey) March 8, 2014

NCAA Hockey: Ex-College Hockey Players Traded During the Trade Deadline - http://t.co/lmzpllpXzL #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/1SIKLOQGAo
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) March 7, 2014

UND Hockey: Players' Only Meeting Turns Season Around - http://t.co/5x6tGhlqCY #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/NKKhMqG40D
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) March 6, 2014

View from the booth from @CCTigers at world arena for fridays 9est gm vs @SCSUHUSKIES_MH on @CBSSportsNet @TheNCHC pic.twitter.com/D2yCgCwqxt
— ben holden (@benholdenpxp) March 6, 2014

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Sub-Par Faceoff Numbers Plague Team (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Women's Hockey Morning Skate: December 6th, 2013 (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Women's Hockey: Making an Impact on the 2014 Sochi Games (thehockeywriters.com)

UND vs. WMU Lines game 1

North Dakota Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks
28 Stephane Pattyn–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

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

North Dakota Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Western Michigan Broncos Forward Lines

8 Sheldon Dries–29 Will Kessel–25 Mike Cichy
24 Shane Berschbach–13 Chase Balisy–17 Justin Kovacs
2 Mike McKee–26 Michael Rebry–28 Sam Mellor
14 Colton Hargrove–10 Josh Pitt–16 Nolan LaPorte

Western Michigan Broncos Defense Pairings

3 Thomas Nitsche–7 Kenney Morrison
9 Chris Dienes–20 Taylor Fleming
15 Jordan Oesterle–11 Dennis Brown

Western Michigan Broncos Goalies

55 Lukas Hafner
1 Frank Slubowski

On-Ice Officials: Derek Shepherd (3), Joe Sullivan (21). Linesmen: Andy Dokken (70), Brandon Schmitt (36). 

(Video) David Backes wipes out Pekka Rinne

St. Louis forward David Backes runs over Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne.  Depending on your perspective. Nothing like going hard to the net. The boxscores reads after the play was over (see below).

12:27 NSH Mike Fisher Roughing - 2 min against David Backes
12:27 STL David Backes Roughing - 2 min against Mike Fisher
12:27 NSH Mike Fisher served by Viktor Stalberg Roughing - 2 min against David Backes

UND Women's Hockey: UND Puts Four Players on All-WCHA Teams

2013-14 WCHA Women’s Award Winners

WCHA Player of the Year

Hannah Brandt, F, So., Minnesota (Vadnais Heights, MN)

WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year

Kelly Terry, F, Sr., Minnesota (Whitby, ON)

WCHA Defensive Player of the Year

Rachel Ramsey, D, Jr., Minnesota (Chanhassen, MN)

WCHA Rookie of the Year

Dani Cameranesi, F, Fr., Minnesota (Plymouth, MN)

WCHA Scoring Champion

Hannah Brandt, F, So., Minnesota (Vadnais Heights, MN)

WCHA Goaltending Champion

Ann-Renée Desbiens, G, Fr., Wisconsin (La Malbaie, QC)

WCHA Coach of the Year

Brad Frost, Minnesota

All-WCHA First Team

F - Hannah Brandt, So., Minnesota ((Vadnais Heights, MN). F - Kelly Terry, Sr., Minnesota (Whitby, ON). F - Michelle Karvinen, Sr., North Dakota (Rødovre, Denmark). D - Rachel Ramsey, Jr., Minnesota (Chanhassen, MN). D - Milica McMillen, So., Minnesota (St. Paul, MN). G - Alex Rigsby, Sr., Wisconsin (Delafield, WI).

All-WCHA Second Team

F - Brittany Ammerman, Sr., Wisconsin (River Vale, NJ). F - Sarah Davis, Sr., Minnesota (Paradise, NL). F - Rachael Bona, Jr., Minnesota (Coon Rapids, MN). D - Courtney Burke, So., Wisconsin (Albany, NY). D - Kari Schmitt, Jr., Ohio State (Canton, MI). G - Amanda Leveille, So., Minnesota (Kingston, ON).

All-WCHA Third Team

F - Josefine Jakobsen, Jr., North Dakota (Aalborg, Denmark). F - Jenna McParland, Jr., Minnesota Duluth (Schreiber, ON). F - Blayre Turnbull, Jr., Wisconsin (Stellarton, NS). D - Sara Schmitt, Jr., Ohio State (Canton, MI). D - Lara Stalder, Fr., Minnesota Duluth (Lucerne, Switzerland). G - Danielle Butters, Sr., Minnesota State (London, ON).

All-WCHA Rookie Team

F - Dani Cameranesi, Fr., Minnesota (Plymouth, MN). F - Sarah Nurse, Fr., Wisconsin (Hamilton, ON). F - Susanna Tapani, Fr., North Dakota (Laitala, Finland). D - Lara Stalder, Fr., Minnesota Duluth (Lucerne, Switzerland). D - Gracen Hirschy, Fr., North Dakota (Fort Wayne, IN). G - Ann-Renée Desbiens, Wisconsin (La Malbaie, QC). G - Brittni Mowat, Fr., Bemidji State (Glenboro, MB).

March 6, 2013/For Release at 8:00 pm CT

2013-14 WCHA All-Academic Team Honorees Announced

91 Student-Athletes Represent All Eight Member Institutions

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association today (March 6) announced that 91 student-athletes, representing all eight women’s member institutions, have earned WCHA All-Academic Team honors for 2013-14.

Criteria: To qualify for the WCHA All-Academic Team, student-athletes must have completed one year of eligibility at present institution, prior to the current academic year and have a GPA of at least 3.0 for the previous two semesters or three quarters.

Following, by team, are the 2013-14 WCHA All-Academic Team honorees: (*indicates repeat honoree)

University of North Dakota: *Shelby Amsley-Benzie, So. (Warroad, MN); *Kayla Berg, Sr. (Fargo, ND); Andrea Dalen, Jr. (Hønefoss, Norway); Meghan Dufault, So. (Winnipeg, MB); Tanja Eisenschmid, So. (Kaufbeuren, Germany); Johanna Fallman, Jr. (Luleå, Sweden); Samantha Hanson, So. (White Bear Lake, MN); *Josefine Jakobsen, Jr. (Aalborg, Denmark); *Leah Jensen, So. (East Grand Forks, ND); *Shannon Kaiser, So. (Crookston, MN); Michelle Karvinen, Sr. (Rødovre, Denmark); Samantha LaShomb, So. (Inver Grove Heights, MN); *Layla Marvin, So. (Warroad, MN); Marissa Salo, Fr. (Grand Rapids, MN); *Tori Williams, Jr. (The Pas, MB).

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Conference Title up for Grabs in Saint Cloud (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Women's Hockey Morning Skate: 2014 WCHA and CHA Championships (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Women's Hockey: UND will host the 2015 WCHA Final Faceoff. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND Women's Hockey: UND will host the 2015 WCHA Final Faceoff.

Some good news for the UND Women's Hockey team and the Ralph Engelstad Arena. They will get to host the 2015 Final Faceoff. Under coach Brian Idalski, the UND women have advanced to the Final Faceoff four consecutive years in a row.

Martin also said North Dakota would host next year's Final Faceoff.... not sure if that was announced before or not. But it's gonna rotate.
— Jack Hittinger (@jackhitts) March 6, 2014

Related articles

• UND Women's Hockey: Making an Impact on the 2014 Sochi Games (thehockeywriters.com)

UND Hockey: Dillon Simpson talks to the Student Body

A quick thank you to the students at UND for their support over the last four years #seniorweek http://t.co/5boo9bw5DT
— Dillon Simpson (@Simmer18) March 5, 2014

I can't believe that the season is almost over. An absolute gem, Dillon Simpson has been fun to cover over the past three seasons... One of the nicest kids you'll ever meet.

Related articles

• UND Hockey: Age Not a Factor for Dillon Simpson (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: Adam Tambellini Leaves UND for the WHL (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: Jordan Schmaltz Growing Into His Role (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Beats C.C. in Grand Forks (insidehockey.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Here we are the last weekend in the inaugural NCHC season.  The race for the Penrose Cup will be decided this weekend.  We know for sure is both SCSU and UND will be at home for the first round of the playoffs, oh and they are the top contenders for the inaugural league title.  I’m not sure on how all the tie breakers work, but we might have to find out come Sunday!

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

North Dakota……………..14-8-0-0…..…….….42
St. Cloud St……………….13-6-3-0…………...42
Nebraska-Omaha………..12-8-2-1…..………..39
Minnesota-Duluth………..10-10-2-2….….……34
Western Michigan………..10-10-2-2…….……34
Denver………………………9-10-3-2……….…32
Colorado College……….. ..6-11-5-1…….….…24
Miami………………………..5-16-1-1….…….….17

NCHC Games

Nebraska-Omaha @ #17 Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Bulldogs swept Miami (5-4, 1-0) in Oxford and the Mavericks swept the Tigers (6-0, 2-1ot) in Omaha.

The Mavericks have almost secured home ice, and with at least a tie this weekend, they will secure a home spot.  The Bulldogs need to win, since they are tied with WMU for the last home ice spot and DU is only two points behind.  Both UMD and UNO beat up on the two bottom teams in the standings, so they both should have some confidence going into the weekend.  UNO is even stevens this year, 6-6-0 on the road and 9-9-0 at home, the Bulldogs are 4-7-3 at home and 10-6-0 on the road.  Perhaps UMD is better of throwing these games, so they are on the road the first round?  SPLIT

Miami @ Denver

Last weekend the RedHawks were swept by the Bulldogs (5-4, 1-0) in Duluth and the Pioneers split with the Broncos (4-2W, 3-1L) in Kalamazoo.

I’m guessing the season can’t end fast enough in Oxford, ugh.  MU has just two wins in 2014, and thus has lost seven of their last eight games.  The Pioneers still have a shot at home ice but they need some help; they need to pass up UMD and WMU.  The RedHawks are 4-9-2 on the road, and they did split with DU earlier this season.  The Pioneers are 9-6-1 in Denver this year.  They will need at least one win this weekend and lots of help or two wins and some help, to host games next weekend.  PIONEERS SWEEP

#3 SCSU @ Colorado College

Last weekend the Huskies split with NoDak (5-2L, 3-1W) in St. Cloud and the Tigers were swept by the Mavericks (6-0, 2-1ot) in Omaha.

This match-up could happen again next weekend too, but with SCSU hosting the games.  The teams meet way back about thanksgiving with the teams tying Friday (CC won shoot out) and SCSU winning the Saturday game.  With the cup on the line, I think SCSU will bring its “A” game to Colorado Springs.  Unless the Huskies are affected by thee, ahem, “haze”, at CC, they should leave a couple of wins.  HUSKIES SWEEP

#21 Western Michigan @ #9 North Dakota

Last weekend the Broncos split with the Pioneers (4-2L, 3-1W) in Kalamazoo and NoDak split with the Huskies (5-2W, 3-1L) in St. Cloud.

These teams met the first week of December in Kalamazoo, with NoDak sweeping the series by identical 3-2 scores.  NoDak is 11-5-1 at home in The Ralph this season and the Broncos are 5-5-3 on the road.  As far as I can recall this will be WMU first ever trip to Grand Forks (correct me if I’m wrong).  The Broncos are in a precarious spot, sitting in a tie for fourth place and the last home ice spot.  And playing on the road at the top team in the conferences barn doesn’t help their cause any.  NoDak has been hot the second half, like usual, and I don’t see them slowing down this weekend at home, with home crowd advantage cheering them on.  NODAK SWEEP

Related articles

• Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (By Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Clarke MacArthur smokes Jiri Hudler and a scrum ensues

The fact that no one was given a major penalty is kind of puzzling, to me. Senators forward Clarke MacArthur smokes Flames forward Jiri Hudler with a nice clean, crisp, body check and then the melee ensues. This is what the boxscore looked like after the scrum was over.

00:19 CGY Chris Butler Roughing - 2 min against Clarke MacArthur
00:19 CGY Chris Butler Roughing - 2 min against Clarke MacArthur
00:19 CGY Paul Byron Roughing - 2 min against Erik Condra
00:19 OTT Erik Condra Roughing - 2 min against Paul Byron
00:19 OTT Clarke MacArthur Roughing - 2 min against Chris Butler

Corban Knight makes his NHL Debut

#Flames Snapshot: @CorbanKnight hits the ice for his first @NHL shift! #CGYOTT pic.twitter.com/ns8ZUcnC2M
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 6, 2014

Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight became the 13th former UND hockey player to play in the NHL this season.

Nice to see the kid get a shot. pic.twitter.com/Bl0kfspplO
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) March 6, 2014

Flyers and Capitals line brawl

 b

Rivalry Night in Philly. The official boxscore will read (see below). Two players were kicked out of the game for their efforts.

11:59 WSH Tom Wilson Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Luke Schenn
11:59 PHI Luke Schenn Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Tom Wilson
11:59 PHI Vincent Lecavalier Fighting (maj) - 5 min against John Erskine
11:59 WSH John Erskine Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Vincent Lecavalier
11:59 PHI Vincent Lecavalier Game misconduct - 10 min
11:59 WSH Tom Wilson Instigator - 2 min
11:59 WSH Tom Wilson Game misconduct - 10 min
11:59 PHI Wayne Simmonds Cross checking - 2 min against Connor Carrick
11:59 PHI Wayne Simmonds served by Steve Downie Slashing - 2 min against Connor Carrick
11:59 WSH John Erskine Game misconduct - 10 min against Vincent Lecavalier

Is this the NCHC Playoff Champion's Trophy?

Apparently, this is picture on the tickets that fans are getting for the Frozen Face-off. Kind of looks like trophy a team might be awarded for winning the NCHC playoff championship.

Corban Knight Will make NHL debut with Flames tonight

Former Fighting Sioux forward Corban Knight will make his NHL debut tonight.

.@CorbanKnight hits the ice at the Saddledome! pic.twitter.com/y01VwQWpox
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2014

Bob Hartley confirms that TJ Galiardi suffered an injury in the gym and @CorbanKnight will play his first #NHL game tonight! #CGYOTT
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2014

Related articles

• Former UND forward Corban Knight signs with Flames (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Feaster Finally Gets His Man: Calgary Flames Acquire Corban Knight (thehockeywriters.com)
• Calgary Flames Acquire Smilin' Corban Knight (thehockeywriters.com)

Drew Stafford to the Wild?

One of the rumors to be surfacing today is the that Minnesota Wild might be interested in former UND Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford. Apparently, some of the Sioux hating Gopher fans don't like the idea. One person that might benifit from a change of scenery might be Stafford.

Michael Russo, Russo's Rants --- As I reported in today’s newspaper and on last night’s blog, multiple sources tell me the Wild is very interested in Drew Stafford, who has been playing at a consistently high level for some time for the Sabres. There have been lots of conversations between Fletcher and Sabres GM Tim Murray lately and the big question is whether Murray is indeed willing to trade Stafford, 28, and what the price would be.

He wouldn’t be a rental. He has another year left on his contract at a pretty attractive $4 million (remember, the cap is going up), so this would be more of a “hockey trade” (one of my favorite terms; I’d love to know who coined it).

So it could cost a second-tier prospect, salaried player (Wild would need to trade some cash unless it just puts Backstrom or Harding on LTIR, which allows you to top the cap ceiling by their cap hit if you need the space) and/or a pick.

Stafford is very good friends with Zach Parise from their days at Shattuck and North Dakota, he’s a former teammate of Jason Pominville. (By the way, even though I'm mentioning Stafford on here, I'm not saying it's going to happen. I'm sure Fletcher has many balls in the air and this is just one I've heard about).

BLOG: #mnwild talking to the Buffalo Sabres about Drew Stafford http://t.co/uU1fHguls4
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 5, 2014

Stafford has heard same MIN rumors: "There's chatter about everything. .. It happens. We're in here watching the same thing all of you are."
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) March 5, 2014

Rangers give up the farm to get Martin St. Louis

Former Vermont Catamount star forward Martin St. Louis has been traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the New York Rangers for forward Ryan Callahan. Included in the deal, a 1st Round Pick (2015)and a conditional 2nd Round Pick (2014).

#NYR Rangers trade Callahan, aqcuire St. Louis http://t.co/O87uKDoN0L
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) March 5, 2014

Martin St-Louis, who has been a 38-year-old baby since the Olympic announcement, gets his wish by being traded to NYR. Legend tarnished.
— Ken Campbell (@THNKenCampbell) March 5, 2014

Breaking down the last week in the NCHC

With one week remaining, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference standings are very tight. We probably won’t know the seeding’s for the NCHC playoffs until after all of the games have been played on Saturday night.

University of North Dakota (19-10-3, 14-8-0 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking 9. This weekend: North Dakota entertains the Western Michigan University Broncos (16-13-5, 10-10-2 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking T-21. Season series: UND went 2-0-0 against WMU (3-2, 3-2 North Dakota). North Dakota is closing in on securing an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. More than likely, if UND makes the NCHC tourney they’re in the NCAA tournament. WMU will probably need to win the NCHC tourney to make the NCAA tourney.

Saint Cloud State University Huskies (19-8-5, 13-6-3 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking 4. This weekend: the Huskies travel to Colorado Springs to take on the Colorado College Tigers (6-20-6, 6-11-5 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking 48. Season series: the Huskies went 1-0-1 against the Tigers this season (2-2 Tie and 6-2 SCSU). Saint Cloud State is a lock to make the NCAA tourney. Colorado College will have to win the NCHC tourney to make the NCAA tourney.

Nebraska-Omaha (15-15-2, 12-8-2 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking 28. This Weekend: Nebraska-Omaha travels to Minnesota Duluth (15-13-4, 10-10-2 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking 17. Season series: UMD 2-0-0 record against UNO (3-1, 3-2 Minnesota Duluth).  Both teams are going to need help making the NCAA tournament as an at-large bid.

University of Denver (15-13-6, 9-10-3 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking 26. This weekend: Denver entertains Miami University (11-18-3, 5-16-1 NCHC) – Pairwise Ranking 41. Season series: The two teams split their season series so far (3-1 Miami and 4-2 Denver). From looking at the Pairwise, it appears that Denver needs to win the NCHC tourney to make the NCAA tourney. Same for Miami there’s no other way Miami can make the NCAA tournament. 

Related articles

• Bowling Green Unhappy with Travel in NCHC? (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Updated standing (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

NCHC Hockey: Connor Gaarder checks in with the fifth best goal of the week

North Dakota junior forward Connor Gaarder's scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season on Friday night, leading UND past Saint Cloud State 5-2. For his efforts, Gaarder checks in this week with the fifth best goal in the NCHC.  Gaarder has (5g-7a—12pts) in 32 games this season. Gaarder’s five goals is a career high for the junior from Edina, Minnesota.   

Wild trade Ilya Bryzgalov from Edmonton

The Minnesota Wild have acquired Ilya Bryzgalov from the Edmonton Oilers for a fourth round draft. Bryzgalov (5-8-5, .908 SV% and a 3.01 GAA) is probably expendable with the emergence of Ben Scrivens.

"Bryzgalov is a quality veteran that adds depth to the goaltending position for our team," Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher said.

Sidney Crosby to take up Olympic diving

I know it's a little old. I just saw this and had to share it. Teemu Selanne called Crosby out for being a diver.

Minnesota Wild: Sweet Military Appreciation Jersey's

At tonight's game? These #mnwild camo jerseys auctioned off at section 121 benefiting @DefTheBlueLine #mnwildmilitary pic.twitter.com/ixVwagqkbH
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 4, 2014

These are sweet jerseys.

Washington's Dmitry Orlov suspended two games for boarding.

Washington's Dmitry Orlov suspended for boarding. Video: http://t.co/jXtTlSIsP1
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) March 3, 2014

That's a nasty hit, and these types of hits needs to be removed from the game of hockey.

Related articles

• (Video) Dmitry Orlov Boards Brayden Schenn; Orlov has hearing for hit (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

UND 9th in Latest USCHO Poll