Tuesday, February 25, 2014

UND Hockey: SJHovey Nails it...

Like I have mentioned on Twitter, Last March, I started a tongue in cheek post on Sioux Sports. The title of the thread "Time to Fire Hakstol". The thread in question has kept growing, by the day. For those that don't red Sioux Sports, SJHovey is one of the more level headed posters from Sioux Sports and he absolutely nails it... Check it out.  I feel the same way, I wouldn't trade out situation at UND either. 

I ask this question, in all seriousness, to those who think that the program has fallen on hard times, below our standards, or that it's time to start thinking about coaching changes.

Look back over the past 9 seasons (I'm excluding the present season primarily because we don't know how it will turn out).  If you could magically substitute the performance of another college hockey program for our own, would you?  Whose?

UND is 235-119-37 over that span, with no losing seasons, 2 regular season crowns, 4 conference tourney titles, appearances in all 9 NCAA tournaments, but admittedly no national titles.

So who do you wish we were, over Hak's tenure, if not our own performance?

BC?  Obviously.  3 national titles, 3 regular season titles, 6 conference tourney championships, appearances in 8 of 9 NCAA tournaments and a 238-97-33 record.

But now who?

Michigan?  The supposed greatest college hockey program of all time?  No national titles, 3 regular season titles, 3 conference tourney titles, 8 of 9 NCAA tourney appearances (and one losing season), with a win/loss record virtually identical to ours at 237-116-25.  I'm not trading.  That's the same car I'm driving without the 1 missed tourney.

How about Miami?  3 regular season titles, 1 conference tourney title, 8 of 9 NCAA appearances, but no national titles and a record no better than ours at 222-107-39.  No thanks.

Minnesota?  No national titles.  4 regular season titles but 1 conference tourney title.  Only 6 of 9 in NCAA appearances with one losing season and a considerably worse record at 210-120-39.  Plus, you're Minnesota.  Forget it.

How about last year's champs, Yale.  They have the almighty national title.  But 2 regular season titles, 2 conference titles and only 4 NCAA appearances out of 9 seasons, to go along with 3 losing seasons and a pedestrian 153-129-24 record.  I don't make that swap.

Duluth won a title, too.  But not a single regular season title, one tournament title and made the NCAA's a paltry 3 of the 9 seasons, with 5 losing seasons and a barely .500 record of 161-149-47.  Go ahead if you want to be a Bulldog.

How about Michigan St. and their national title?  Zero regular season titles.  1 conference tourney title.  3 losing seasons.  Only 4 NCAA appearances in the 9 years and a very average 173-150-42 record.

So far I'm not impressed.

So what about Wisconsin, BU or Denver?

Lot of baggage with Wisconsin.  They have that title real early in the stretch of these 9 seasons, but no regular season titles, one very unexpected conference tourney title, 5 of 9 on NCAA appearances, a couple of sub-.500 seasons and a 196-133-39 record a long way behind UND.  It might be for some of you, but not me.

BU?  One great season with a national title.   A couple of HE crowns to go with a couple of HE tourney titles.  But they only made the tournament half the time and their overall record is still a long way behind UND, at 204-117-39.

Denver?  For me this would be a maybe.  2 regular season crowns, 2 Broadmoors and appearances in 7 of the 9 NCAA tournaments.  Pretty good record at 220-115-33.  A bit of a toss up, but I might be persuaded to take that record for these past 9 seasons, understanding that the title did come at the very beginning of the run and there has been a generally downward progression.

Anybody that I missed?

So, of course I would love to have BC's record the past 9 years.  Who wouldn't?  Denver's?  Maybe, although I don't like the direction they're going.  Who else would you rather be?

Unless someone else has some good answers, I'm not sure I'd be jumping ship right about now. 

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Hatten SC Times: Tickets still available for this weekend's games; UND vs SCSU

I am actually surprised that there are still tickets left for this game. Standing room is very good tickets. This will be a great series if you can take in game I would recommend going.
Mick Hatten, Saint Cloud Time -- Tickets for this weekend’s North Dakota at St. Cloud State men’s hockey series are getting difficult to come by, particularly for the Saturday night game at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

Tenth-ranked North Dakota and fifth-ranked St. Cloud State go into the weekend tied for the lead in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which is in its inaugural season. There are four games left in the regular season and the teams moved into a tie for the lead last weekend.

“This is always a big series for us and sales are always high,” said Chad Sheetz, St. Cloud State’s assistant director of athletic business & finance operations. “After Christmas, sales really started to pick up.”

As of about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, there were 599 remaining standing-room only tickets remaining for Saturday’s game, which starts at 7:07 p.m.

There are about 450 tickets available for Friday’s game.

Friday’s game has the unusual starting time of 8:07 p.m. because the game will be on a national telecast. Friday’s game will be televised on CBS Sports Network (Charter Channel 412, Direct TV Channel 221 and Dish Network Channel 158).

Tuesday Links: Hockey Focused, It's the Stretch Run...

With the Injury to New York Islanders forward John Tavares, other players on the Islanders are going to have an opportunity to play more. One of them is former UND forward Brock Nelson. (TSN.CA)

The Islanders, 12 points out of a playoff spot, weren't going to contend for the postseason this year and are already preparing to move LW Thomas Vanek prior to the March 5th trade deadline. Under those circumtances, there will be some opportunities available for other Islanders, rookies Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson among them, to play more prominent offensive roles.

Former UND forward Evan Trupp is playing with the Corban Knight on the Abbotsford Heat. Trupp has scored (1g-4a—5pts) in 10 games this season.

Apparently Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kessler returned from the Sochi game with an injury.

Former UND and current Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise stood up and defended Olympic coach Dan Bylsma. Mike Russo has the details on his blog.

The Stanley Cup of Chowder profiles Zane Gothberg this week. No mention of the him getting the NCHC goalie of the week.

UND Hockey: NCHC Quarterfinal ticket packages on sale Wednesday


GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Ticket packages for the NCHC quarterfinal round, to be hosted by UND from March 14-16, will go on sale to the general public and to UND students on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. Central.
Series ticket packages are reserved seating and are $40 for adults, $20 for UND students and $20 for youth. Adult and youth series packages may be purchased in person at the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena or online at (Ticket Master).

UND students may purchase up to four series packages and may do so in person at the UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena. A valid UND student ID must be presented with game ticket to gain admittance into each game.
Season ticket holders already received their NCHC Quarterfinal tickets as part of their season ticket package.

All unclaimed student tickets will become available to the general public as series packages on Saturday, March 1, beginning at 10 a.m. Central.
Single-game tickets for the NCHC Quarterfinals will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, March 12 at 10 a.m. Central.

The NCHC Quarterfinals take place March 14, 15 and 16 (Game 3 if necessary). Game times are 7:38 p.m. on Friday and 7:08 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (all times Central). UND’s first-round opponent has not yet been determined.
UND clinched home ice for the first round of the conference playoffs last Saturday with a 6-2 win at No. 20 Minnesota Duluth. It is the 12th straight year UND will host the first round of its conference playoffs, the longest active streak in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.

UND Hockey: Where are they now? Aaron Dell

Former UND goalie Aaron Dell was signed by the Abbotsford Heat played two games this past weekend and then was released by the Heat. You would think that Dell is going to get a shot and stick with an AHL team, eventually.
ABBOTSFORD, BC -- The Abbotsford Heat announced today that they have released goaltender Aaron Dell.

Dell, a native of Airdrie, Alberta appeared in two games over the weekend with the Heat registering a 0-1-0 record along with a 1.39 GAA and a .929 save percentage.

NHL Trade Deadline - Where's Ryan Miller going?

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller would be a good rental goalie for the Stanley Cup Stretch run. You have to wonder where he's going? The NHL trade deadline in on March 5, 2014.
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Ryan Miller was a no-show at Buffalo Sabres practice Monday because the star goalie was still travelling from the Sochi Games.

Though Miller was scheduled to return later in the day and start Tuesday, when Buffalo hosts Carolina, his absence could be something the Sabres will have to get accustomed to with the NHL trade deadline approaching on March 5.

A person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press that general manager Tim Murray continues to pursue offers for Miller with the intention of trading him by next week.

"Tim is testing the waters as hard as he can," the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because Murray declined to speak to reporters Monday.

NCAA Hockey: National Scoring Race

Points Per Game: GP G- A- P P/GM
  1 Johnny Gaudreau (CGY)      Boston College    JR F       33   29-34-63    1.91
  2 Greg Carey                 St. Lawrence      SR F       32   15-36-51    1.59
  3 Kevin Hayes (CHI)          Boston College    SR F       33   22-29-51    1.55
  4 Ryan Dzingel (OTT)         Ohio State        JR F       28   17-21-38    1.36
  5 Austin Czarnik             Miami             JR F       29   11-28-39    1.34
  6 Brett Gensler              Bentley           SR F       32   17-26-43    1.34
  7 Bill Arnold (CGY)          Boston College    SR F       33   12-32-44    1.33
  8 Kevin Roy (ANA)            Northeastern      SO F       32   17-25-42    1.31
  9 Devin Shore (DAL)          Maine             SO F       30   13-26-39    1.30
10 Riley Barber (WSH)         Miami             SO F       30   18-20-38    1.27
    Josh Archibald (PIT)       Nebraska Omaha    JR F       30   26-12-38    1.27
    Ryan Haggerty              Rensselaer        JR F       30   24-14-38    1.27
13 Mark Naclerio              Brown             SO F       27   16-18-34    1.26
14 Chris McCarthy             Vermont           SR F       31   16-23-39    1.26
15 Matthew Zay                Mercyhurst        JR F       32   16-24-40    1.25
    Jesse Root                 Yale              SR F       24   12-18-30    1.25
17 Kevin Goumas               New Hampshire     SR F       33   13-27-40    1.21
18 Cole Gunner                Air Force         JR F       34   14-27-41    1.21
19 Matt Leitner               Minnesota State   JR F       30    9-27-36    1.20
20 Nick Lappin                Brown             SO F       26   12-19-31    1.19

Monday, February 24, 2014

NCHC honors Zane Gothberg and Luke Johnson

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Luke Johnson, North Dakota
Freshman Forward
Grand Forks, N.D.

Johnson sparked North Dakota to a sweep at Minnesota Duluth, UND’s second straight sweep, behind a two-goal, four-point series. In Friday’s 3-0 victory, the Chicago Blackhawks prospect had a hand in all three goals for a career-high three-point game, scoring twice and assisting on the other. Johnson scored the game’s first goal in the first period on the power play, which proved to be the game-winner, while he set up the second goal with the primary assist and capped the outing with an unassisted goal in the third period. He had a +2 rating in the game and was named the game’s first star. The next night, Johnson assisted on a power play goal in the second period that tied the game at 2-2 as UND went on to a 6-2 victory. He completed the weekend with a +2 rating while earning NCHC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season.


GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK
Zane Gothberg, North Dakota
Sophomore Goaltender
Thief River Falls, Minn.

Gothberg continued his strong play in net of late, backstopping North Dakota to a sweep at Minnesota Duluth. He played all 120 minutes in net, while allowing just two goals in the series with a .970 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average. In Friday’s 3-0 win, the Boston Bruins prospect stopped all 33 shots that came his way in his second start back from injury to pitch his first career shutout, while he was named the game’s second star. On Saturday, Gothberg totaled 31 saves on 33 shots against in a 6-2 victory, while stopping all 23 shots over the final 40 minutes, as he is now unbeaten in his last 12 starts. He also helped UND go 9-for-9 on the penalty kill against the Bulldogs, including 5-for-5 on Saturday. Gothberg totaled 64 saves in the wins while claiming NCHC Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season.








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UND 10th in the USCHO Poll


After sweeping the UMD Bulldogs, UND moved up to 10th place in this week's USCHO Pol. I am surprised that DU, who was swept by C.C. stayed in the top 20 this week.

NHL & College Hockey: Monday Links

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun interview executive director of the NHL Players' Association. There’s some interesting things in this interview that are worth looking at. (Click to read)
LeBrun: All 700-plus NHL players are not here in the Olympics. What's always intrigued me is the idea of how rank-and-file players who never get to play in the Olympics really feel about shutting down the game for the Olympics and whether their input is heeded.

Fehr: We do, we do [ask them]. It's no secret, there are three things that go on: There are players who play; there are players who, even if they're not playing, hope that in the future they will, or players who did in the past and think it's a good opportunity for current ones to have. The second thing is, guys like the time off; they like to see their families; they like to do that. And the third thing is, there's at least the opportunity for some nagging injuries to heal. That's not so bad. But to answer your question more directly, as far as the players' association is concerned, this decision will be made by all 720 to 750 players -- it's not made by a small group.
Apparently, David Backes and T.J. Oshie have adopted some stray dogs from Russia.

More on the Niklas Bäckström doping case... ESPN: Backstrom victim of testing debacle
Scott Burnside, ESPN.COM – He's an innocent victim of circumstances," added Dr. Mark Aubry, the IIHF's chief medical officer. "There is no doping in this instance."

Well, technically it is doping, though, isn't it? The acceptable level for the substance pseudoephedrine in an athlete's body for in-competition testing is 150 micrograms per milliliter, and officials said Sunday that Backstrom's level was around 190. But there is a precedent for players being allowed a test again if that threshold is breached
Check out this gamer from the new beat writer for the UMD Bulldogs Rick Weegman. (click to view)
The trophy, awarded to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference regular-season champion, is making a tour of all the conference home sites.

After North Dakota’s 6-2 victory over Minnesota Duluth tonight, it’s undoubtedly the last time that the trophy will show up in Duluth this season.

It may find an out-of-season home in Grand Forks, N.D., however.
According to Michael Russo, Wild winger Jason Zucker will miss the upcoming road trip to Edmonton and Vancouver.

Next time you're drinking a Tim Horton's coffee, think of this article by Andrew Forbes from the Hockey Writers: A Common Ground: Where Hockey Meets Coffee
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Sunday, February 23, 2014

Sweden's Niklas Bäckström Banned from the Gold Medal Game for Using Banned substance

English: #19 Nicklas Backstrom
English: #19 Nicklas Backstrom (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This has to be one of the most asinine things that I have ever seen. Nicklas Backstrom of Sweden was banned from the gold medal game against the Canadians for failing a drug test. Must have been performance enhancing right? Nope! According to Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy, the banned substance in question was Zyrtec-D. In my humble opinion, that has to be one of the most moronic things I have ever seen. It makes no sense what-so-ever. How is Zyrtec-D a PED? Why is this banned?
New York Times --- A Swedish Olympic Committee spokesman told The Associated Press that Backstrom, 26, had tested positive for a substance found in an allergy medication he has taken for seven years. Backstrom, a top-line center, had four assists over Sweden’s first five games.

The N.H.L. and the Capitals indicated in statements that Backstrom’s doping violation would not affect his status in the N.H.L. because the substance he tested positive for is not considered a banned substance by the league. Athletes competing in the Olympics are subject to tougher antidoping rules than those of the major professional leagues like the N.H.L.

The league’s deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, said, “We do not anticipate there being any consequences relative to Nicklas’s eligibility to participate in games for the Washington Capitals.”

Backstrom’s is the sixth known doping offense of the Sochi Games. The other athletes who failed drug tests were the cross-country skiers Johannes Duerr of Austria and Marina Lisogor of Ukraine; the men’s hockey player Vitalijs Pavlovs of Latvia; the biathlete Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle of Germany, who as a cross-country skier won two gold medals and three silver medals at previous Olympics; and the bobsledder William Frullani of Italy.
Did the IOC expect him to suffer and not have him take his allergy medicine? Being a person that suffers from seasonal allergies, I would be miserable if I couldn't take my over-counter medication for my allergies. This is a rule that has to be looked at and then nuked.
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UND Hockey: Another Circle of Sticks and More Inner Geek

With the sweep against Minnesota Duluth, UND now has five series sweeps for the 2013-14 season. Last year, UND had three series sweeps (Holy Cross, Michigan Tech and Nebraska-Omaha).

That’s definitely an improvement. UND (18-9-3, 13-7-0 NCHC) is tied for first place in the NCHC with Saint Cloud State University. Breaking down UND’s record, they’re 11-5-1 at home and 7-4-2 on the road. With the win last night, UND clinches home ice for the NCHC playoffs. That’s the 12th season in a row that UND has qualified for home ice for the playoffs.

UND is smoking hot right now, they’re currently on a 14-2-1 (.853) run. It all started on November 29, 2013. UND had just lost 5-2 to St. Lawrence University, and owned a subpar 4-7-2 record. It was gloom and doom in the UND Nation.  After a closed door players meeting, UND would win 3-2 on Saturday night and start the current hot streak. After the Saturday night's 3-2 win against SLU, alternate captain Stephane Pattyn explained.

“Yesterday was kind of just an open floor,” Pattyn said. “Everyone talked, and gave their thoughts about what we needed to do. We had some great conversations. We definitely grew up as a team last night, and I think today’s (win) helped, too.”

Since November 30, 2013, UND has been a very good hockey team. Pattyn was right; they’ve grown up as a hockey team. During the current run, UND has scored 61 goals (3.67 GPG), and only given up 35 goals against (2.07 GA). UND has a goal differential of +26 during the hot streak. UND’s last four games have been better. The past two weekends UND has scored an eye popping 21 goals (5.25 GPG) and given up a stingy 6 goals against (1.50 GA). That’s a goal differential of +15. Talk about playing your best hockey at the end of the season.

Who’s Hot for UND

Sophomore forward Rocco Grimaldi has scored (2g-5a—7pts) his last three games.

Junior forward Michael Parks is smoking hot, and has scored (7g-10a—17pts) in the last 14 games.

Since his return from injury, junior forward Mark MacMillan has scored (5g-8a—13pts).

Senior defenseman Dillon Simpson (7g-13a—20pts) has scored 14 of his 20 points since November 30, 2013.

Sophomore defenseman Jordan Schmaltz has scored at least a point in seven of the last nine games (2g-6a—8pts).

Sophomore goalie Zane Gothberg is having a great second half. How hot is Gothberg? He’s unbeaten (10-0-1) in his last 11 games. He also owns a 1.66 GAA and a .934 save percentage. Yeah, that’s pretty good.
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Traditional Circle of Sticks X5



That's five series sweep for the season, two series sweeps in a row. UND only had three series sweeps last season (Holy Cross, Michigan Tech and Nebraska-Omaha). Four regular season games left.
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Saturday, February 22, 2014

UND vs. UMD Game Two

Champ, UMD mascot.
Champ, UMD mascot. (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
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
Out: 7-Wade Murphy (Fr., F), 20-Gage Ausmus (Fr., D), 22-Andrew Panzarella (Jr., D), 26-Coltyn Sanderson (So., F), 30-Matt Hrynkiw (Fr., G)
Minnesota Duluth’s lines
11 Austin Farley–21 Caleb Herbert–25 Justin Crandall
14 Alex Iafallo–17 Dominic Toninato–26 Adam Krause
8 Kyle Osterberg–13 Tony Cameranesi–19 Max Tardy
23 Austyn Young – 27 Cal Decowsk28 Sammy Spurell

Minnesota Duluth Defense Pairings
4 Carson Soucy–7 Andy Welinski
6 Derik Johnson–15 Willie Raskob
16 Tim Smith–3 Dan Molenaar

Minnesota Duluth Goalies
36 Matt McNeely
1 Aaron Crandall
30 Alex Fons

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USA Hockey: Patrick Kane misses twice on the Penalty Shot (GIFS)


s/t NESN Coming into the Bronze Medal game against Finland, Chicago's Patrick Kane was 1-for-11 in the shootout this year. According to the NBCSN broadcast, the only goal that he had was against Tukka Rask. Now he's 1-for-3 against Rask.


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Olympic Hockey: Miracle on Ice (Vine)



34 years ago USA won the gold medal in Lake Placid, New York. Where were you?

UND Hockey: Discovering your “Inner Geek”

Since starting the season 4-7-2, the UND hockey has been on a roll going 13-2-1 (.843%). During the streak, UND has scored 55 goals (3.44) and given up 33 goals against (2.06), that’s a goal differential of +22.

Last night Brad Schlossman tweeted: Best Records since November 30, 2014, B.C. (17-0-1), UND (13-2-1), Union (15-3-2), Minnesota (11-2-4), Wisconsin (13-5-1).

Who’s hot for UND: Rocco Grimaldi (2g-4a—6pts) last two games. In the last 11 games Mike Parks has scored (6g-8a—14pts). During the same time, Mark MacMillan has scored (5g-8a—13pts). Junior defenseman Nick Mattson (2g-3a—5pts) last four games. Freshman defenseman Keaton Thompson (3g-3a—6pts) and is leading UND in (+/-) department with 11+ in 14 games this season. Parks, Paul LaDue and Troy Stecher are second with +10.

UND balance: UND has 11 players with 10 or more points. With their next point, Stephane Pattyn (3g-6a—pts) and Stecher (1g-8a—9pts) will join the 10+ club.

Per @UNDSID: UND goalie Zane Gothberg is (10-0-1), 1.62 GAA and 933 save percentage in his last 11 starts.

(Video) UND 3 UMD 0



"It was a good road win tonight," head coach Dave Hakstol said. I have to agree, UMD is a good hockey team and they mirror the UND hockey team. With the win, UND moves into a tie with SCSU, who lost 4-3 to Miami tonight. UND is 6-2-1 when their games are available on DirecTV.



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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



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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.


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