Discussion: UND Finds Their Game, but Is It a Little Too Late?

On Friday night, the UND hockey team won for only the second time in 2025 (2-6-1). Friday has been a killer for the UND hockey team during the second half of the season. With the win, UND improves to 8-8-1 on Friday nights. 

With the 3-1 victory against the Mavericks, the Hawks also broke a three-game losing streak, including a 6-3 loss to the Mavericks in last year's Frozen Faceoff. With their play in the previous four and half weeks, UND has found their game. However, is it a little too late? NODAK is 6-2-0 in the last eight games and 14-7-2 since November 16, 2024. UND needs to win the NCHC tourney to make the NCAA tourney a very tall order. From here on out, every game is a must-win game. 

Speaking of NODAK, UND is 3-1-0 when wearing the white NODAK jerseys. I am on record for the NODAK jerseys becoming the official UND hockey team jerseys. UND could sell more of them than the current jerseys.

Stick Taps 

I was reading the UND post-game notes by Alec Johnson, the UND SID. A few things caught my attention. 

Over the years, the UND hockey team has had the better of the matchup against Omaha, 37-22-2 (.622) all-time. However, entering last night's game, the Mavericks had won the three previous games. 

You can bet that T.J. Semptimphelter will be in the net when the two teams face off on Saturday. He's 2-0-0, 0.99 GAA and a .964 save percentage. Semptimphelter improved to 6-2-0 over his last eight starts.

Carter Wilkie continued his torrid pace, scoring his 10th point in the last 10 games (4g-6a–10pts). 

Freshman forward Sacha Boisvert scored his fifth straight goal, his sixth goal in the previous five games (6g-1a–7pts). He leads the team with 15 goals. That was also his seventh multipoint game of the season.

Speaking of multipoint games. UND sophomore defenseman Jake Livanavage recorded his seventh multipoint game of the season with two assists. Livanavage becomes only 11th UND defenseman to record 50 points in his first two seasons. Even more impressive, Livanavage has the most points by UND defense in his first two seasons since 1999-01 (Travis Roche). Yeah, that guy.

UND junior forward Dylan James has been on a heater; on Friday, he scored his 14th goal of the season, giving him 15 points in the last 16 games (9g-5a-15pts). He's fifth on the team in scoring (14g-8a-22pts). He also has four multipoint games, including a four-point game on February 7, 2025. 

UND Hockey: Crunching the Numbers; It's Crunch Time

Today, I looked at the 2024-25 UND hockey team numbers. There are some good and bad. This time of year, no one cares about anything other than wins, losses, and Natty's. However, some of these statistics are telling and have value. But I digress. These numbers can also paint a larger picture. 

UND needs to improve its penalty kill, especially if it wants to advance in the NCHC playoffs and possibly to the NCAA playoffs. For most of the season, UND's penalty kill bottomed out at 58th in the nation. UND is currently 48th in the PK nationally, which is not great. Since UND's 3-1 win against C.C., the Hawks have improved on the power play and are 27-33 (81.8). 

Dr. Jekyell and Mr. Hyde, Friday nights have been a house of horrors during the second half of the season. Since January, the Hawks have been 1-5-1 (.214). On Saturday nights, UND is 6-1-0 (.857). 

During February, it was no different; UND was 5-3. All three losses came on Friday nights; UND was 1-3-0 (.250). UND was 4-0-0 on Saturday nights. UND's only win was against UMD on Friday night, February 21, 2025, 4-2.

Jake Livanavage Takes Flight 

UND defenseman Jake Livanavage has been stellar, averaging 24:28 minutes per game. His highest minute totals were 30:32 last Saturday against WMU, 29:12 against ASU, 27:47 against UMD, and 27:28 against DU. Jake Livanavage is UND’s top point-getter (4g—22a—26—pts). He’s also a plus-two. He has six multiple-point games. Saturday against Western Michigan, Livanavage scored the game-winning goal. His post-goal Celly was epic.

🤫#UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/01X66rxkvk

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) March 2, 2025

Carter Wilkie Gets Hot

Graduate forward Carter Wilkie came to UND as a highly touted offensive player. In 117 games at RIT, Wilkie scored (43g-68a—111pts). Yes, he compiled those numbers against the Atlantic Hockey competition, but you still have to be a good player to score those numbers. 

We're seeing a glimpse of what UND was looking for when they recruited Wilikie.

In 33 games with UND, Wilkie has scored (7g-8a—15pts); he’s also a plus one. Wilkie is getting hot at the right time. He has started contributing on the scoresheet after scoring (3g-3a—6pts) in the first 24 games of the season. Wilkie has (3g-6a—9pts) in the last nine games and  (2g-4a—6pts) in the previous four games.

Wilkie's hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“He was snakebit a little bit in the first half of the season. I guess analytically and point-wise, but he’s just kept on playing,” Berry said. 

“We’ve started to play the right way, and it’s reaping the reward right now,” Wilkie said following Friday's wins against UMD. “Every guy in there is contributing, too. Not only my offense but everyone’s continued the winning aspect for our team.”

Louis Jamernik Breaks an O-Fer Streak 

UND captain Louis Jamernik V broke a 14-game pointless streak with an assist last Friday against Western Michigan. Jamernik hasn't scored a goal since November 8, 2024. 

Hobie Sacha? 

Check out this Tweet from the Hobie Baker Memorial Award's X feed. Sacha Boisvert's Hobey Baker Memorial Award. You can vote for Boisvert here. 

Sacha Boisvert is a Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee! 🏒💪 North Dakota fans, show your support for this standout forward by voting daily at https://t.co/CGEVafN9rB! #VoteForHobey @boisvertsacha @undmhockey @thenchc @drinkbodyarmor pic.twitter.com/lx1BHwYysa

— Hobey Baker Award (@HobeyBakerAward) March 4, 2025

Goal Scoring 19th 

NCHC Goal Scoring 4th

NCHC Goals Scored Per Game 4th 3.21

NCHC Shooting % 2nd 

Goals Against 30th GAA 

NCHC Goals Allowed Per Game 6th 2.88 GAA

Save Percentage 40th 

Save Percentage NCHC .898 7th SV%

Power Play 10th (25.5) 

Power Play NCHC 4th (25.3)

Penalty Kill 48th (76.5) 

Penalty Kill NCHC 8th (76.5) 

Shorthanded Goals Tied 13th 4 

Shorthanded Goals NCHC 3rd 

Faceoffs 54.5 tied Tied for 20th 

Faceoffs NCHC 5th 

(Link to NCHC Stats)

(College Hockey News Stats)

Why Not Make the NODAK Jerseys the Official UND Jersey for Hockey?

This past weekend, the University of North Dakota wore their NODAK jerseys for their series against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. 

I tweeted this on Saturday and reposted the UND Men's Hockey X.com account tweet yesterday. I don't know how popular this will be, but the NODAK jerseys should be the official jerseys of the @UNDmhockey team. I think they're awesome. Even designing a black business suit NODAK jersey would be outstanding. Go!

I don't know how popular this will be, but the NODAK jerseys should be the official jersey on the @UNDmhockey team. I think they're awesome. Even designing a black business suit NODAK jersey would be outstanding. Go! https://t.co/YVYNN4C05F

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) February 22, 2025

This could be a win for the UND athletic Department, possibly sell more jerseys. Just a thought. Here are some photos I took on Saturday night during the second period. You can also click the link to my photo blog from Saturday.  

UND Hockey: Friday's House of Horror

Digging through the numbers following Friday's 4-2 win, the UND hockey team did something it hadn't done in 2025: They won a game on Friday night. You didn't read that wrong. Fifty-three days into 2025, UND finally won a game in regulation on a Friday. Entering game one against the Bulldogs, UND was 0-4-1 on Friday nights in 2025. 

It's not an understatement to say that it's been a tough year for NODAK, and the fan base is getting antsy. The prospect of missing another NCAA regional in Fargo is looming. There's still time to right the ship, but there's little room for error. 

With Friday's win, UND is sitting at 18th in the Pairwise Ranking; depending on upsets in conference tournaments, they would probably need to get to 13th or 14th to make the NCAA tourney. Five regular season games remain, and UND must continue winning, or their season will be over. However, one person wrote on Facebook that they still could win the conference tourney, West Regional, and advance to the Frozen Four. True. It's never over till it's over. Correct.

 We're Streaking... Friday was a night of ending negative streaks. It was also the first time UND had won back-to-back games since December when they won back-to-back games against SCSU and Miami. 

Saturday nights have been a different story for UND. They’re 7-1-1 on Saturdays; their only loss was against the Western Michigan Broncos. UND is 12-1-1 when leading after two periods.

Dominating the Bulldogs 

After the game, I scanned X.com before the post-game press conference when I came across Brad Schlossman's tweet. There will be streaks when you play a team enough times, but this is impressive.

UND beats Minnesota Duluth for the seventh time in a row and the 11th time in 12 games, 4-2 in the series opener Friday. Wilkie with a goal and 3 points. Strinden, Littler, Boisvert with goals. Croal with 2 assists. Semptimphelter stops 30 of 32.

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) February 22, 2025

Update: From UMD beat writer Matt Wellens: Since beating the Fighting Hawks in five overtimes in an NCAA regional final in Fargo in 2021, the Bulldogs are 2-11 against North Dakota, with the Bulldogs' last win coming Jan. 21, 2023, in Grand Forks.

Speaking of impressive numbers, UND sophomore D-man Jake Livanavage has played a lot of minutes this season. Last night, I tweeted that the only ones to have played more than Jake Livanavage are the two goaltenders. That wasn't a lie; Livanavage played 27.47 minutes in Friday's game, almost half the game. Livanavage was being double-shifted throughout the game.

The only ones who have played more than Jake Livanavage are the two goalies.

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) February 22, 2025

Denver Gazette Writer Mark Kizla Trolls UND fans

Déjà vu, the feeling that you've already experienced a current situation. It's a French phrase that means "already seen." 

That was what I felt today when I clicked on a link from Sara Folkestad; there it was, another Denver writer taking a shot at the University of North Dakota hockey team. 

Again, Denver is a big city, and their local newspaper doesn't need clicks, but this is clickbait. Here's the Link to the article in question.

https://t.co/SNbUrICz09 pic.twitter.com/MHxUN7BIlg

— Sara Folkestad (@saraj323) February 18, 2025

On a Valentine’s Day when there was no love lost between Denver and the fighting mad Hawks of North Dakota, Pioneers star Zeev Buium was lucky to get off the ice in one piece. The game was no contest, with the No. 6 Pioneers winning 4-0 Friday for their third victory of the season against a team nowhere near the grand tradition of North Dakota hockey. The visitors could not score. But that didn’t stop No. 17 North Dakota from taking a scary cheap shot on Buium, the Pioneers’ premier defenseman.

None of us should be surprised; it is the modus operandi of the Denver writers to troll the North Dakota fanbase. Mike Chambers of the Denver Post spent most of the mid-2000s trolling UND fans about how their team was a bunch of knuckle-dragging goons. It was remotely entertaining for a while, but it got old after the 15th article complaining about the UND hockey team being dirty.

Finally,  I wonder if Kizla missed the dirty hit on UND forward Dane Montgomery after he was knocked out of Friday's game with a dirty elbow?  

Mike Chambers wrote this tripe following a heated series between UND and DU. This was the infamous game where George Gwozdecky walked out onto the ice to chat with WCHA official Todd Anderson. 

My thoughts: Gwozdecky is the most mild-mannered coach I know, and in 14 years, I’ve only seen his blood boil twice — both times against North Dakota and with referee Todd Anderson blowing the whistle. 

See a pattern there? The “Sioux Fighters” and their fans want minor-league entertainment, Anderson is an emotional official who sometimes jaws at players, and Gwozdecky is a class act. At some point, those styles clash, and the mild-mannered coach can’t stomach it. It becomes disgusting, and the coach erupts into what he doesn’t like. 

Gwozdecky doesn’t deserve anything except a pat on the back for being the way he is 99 percent of the time. He might be embarrassed to have been ejected, but shame on DU for throwing him under the bus. I think DU is using Gwozdecky to remind the Sioux that it is better than them. But to publicly scorn your respected coach is a bad way to do that.

I can appreciate the Sioux and their fans. They are to North Dakota what football is to Nebraska. The players are hard-nosed, and the coaching staff gives them a long leash, maybe too long, but … I don’t hear any apologies from Grand Forks, and there shouldn’t be any from Denver. ( Link to post; the Denver Post link is no longer active.) 

NCHC Suspends Denver’s Buium, North Dakota’s Emery One Game -- Thoughts

As the game clock clicked to zero on Saturday, things got heated between Denver and North Dakota. It was not surprising; it had been a hard-fought series. After beating UND 4-0 the night before, the Fighting Hawks showed they still had some fight. As the final seconds ticked off of the clock, UND had won game two 3-1; all the players on the ice, minus Denver's goalie, participated in a post-game melee. While the players were locked up, Denver's all-American D-man Zeev Buium and UND D-man EJ Emery engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Yes, it was a fight; both players had dropped the gloves, lost the helmets, and threw punches. After Saturday's game, the box score had posted this.

Old time hockey coach. That is an impressive box score. From the end of the UND vs. DU game. pic.twitter.com/E5iVtj8gBF

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) February 16, 2025

You had to know this incident would be reviewed by the league. The NCAA doesn't allow fighting, and they had to address this incident. It doesn't reflect well on the NCHC if they had let this one go. Below is the release by the NCHC. 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) has issued a one-game suspension to both Denver sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium and North Dakota freshman defenseman EJ Emery, in accordance with the conference’s supplemental discipline policy, the NCHC announced on Monday, Feb. 17. The suspensions stem from an altercation between the two on the ice following the Pioneers and Fighting Hawks game last Saturday night, Feb. 15 at Magness Arena in Denver. At the conclusion of Saturday night’s game, Buium and Emery were each assessed a roughing minor and given a 10-minute misconduct penalty at 20:00 of the third period. Buium and Emery will be required to serve their one-game suspension during their team’s next game. Buium will be suspended for Denver’s game at Miami this Friday, Feb. 21, while Emery will miss UND’s series opener against Minnesota Duluth this coming Friday. Both are eligible to return for their team’s series finale on Saturday, Feb. 22. 

 Here it is for the two people who haven't seen the video. Stick Tap, @ElFrijolBlanco.

Two NHL first rounders, UND's Emery (NYR) & Denver's Buium (MIN) suspended one game for scrap at the end of Saturdays game. pic.twitter.com/25b80Hwa8k

— 𝗘𝗙𝗕 (@ElFrijolBlanco) February 17, 2025

Finally, it was good to see Emery sticking up for a teammate; he showed Buium and his teammates that he wouldn't accept opposing players' cheap shooting or taking runs from his teammates. 

UND Hockey: A Deep Dive into the Numbers

Statistically, the UND hockey team has a lot of room for improvement. It's not too late. They’re doing pretty well in goal scoring and offense but struggling defensively and goaltending. UND’s penalty kill is a mess. Western went 3-for-4 (75%) on their power play opportunities this weekend. That has to improve if UND is going to turn things around. They also need to cut down on the number of undisciplined penalties. UND will need to improve in all three zones on the ice if they want to be in the mix at the end of the season. So far this season, I've seen a lot of blind passes to no one. We've seen players take penalties that kill momentum and take the wind out of their sails.

"I think our structure is great," Jamernik said. "Jax (Dane Jackson) does a great job talking about the right things. We have the right system in place. The details are biting us right now."

Right now, the PK isn’t getting it done for UND. Something has to change, or they won’t make it out of the first round of the NCHC playoffs. I went through and posted some of the national and conference numbers. There's room for improvement, but not all is lost.

Regarding goaltending, head coach Brad Berry has said he'd like someone to lean on the go-to guy. On a goaltender stepping up.

"Having a goaltender that can grab the consistency about winning a game and keep it moving forward here. We'll see where that goes," Berry said. 

Goal Scoring 23rd
NCHC Goal Scoring 3rd
Goals Against 27th
Goals Against Average NCHC 2.84
Goals Allowed Per Game 3rd
Save Percentage 47th
Save Percentage NCHC .894 7th
Power Play 14th (24.3 %)
Power Play NCHC 4th
Penalty Kill 58th (73.7 %)
Penalty Kill NCHC 9th (73.7 %)
Shorthanded Goals Tied 11th 3
Shorthanded Goals NCHC 3rd
Faceoffs 54.5 tied 6th
Faceoffs NCHC 4th

Andrew Mangiapane Unloads on Brandon Carlo; Dirty Play or Fair Game?

I watched today's National Hockey League game between the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins this afternoon. For the most part, it was a boring game. The Bruins looked like they were still on their Christmas vacation. They were outworked most of the game, and when they did get a shot on the net, Capitals goalie Logan Thompson was there to make the save. Thompson stopped 27-of-28 shots, and the Bruins could not tie the game. The Capitals iced the game with an empty-net goal with nine seconds remaining. 

At 10:26 in the third period, the Bruins were killing a Capitals power play when Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman froze the puck, getting a whistle. Capitals forward Connor McMichael took an extra whack at the Bruins goaltender, starting a spirited scrum in front of the Bruins' net. This play happens hundreds of times during an NHL season, but what happened after was unacceptable. The smaller Mangiapane somehow got leverage on the much larger Brandon Carlo. Mangiapane used this as an opportunity to unload on Carlo. Mangiapen sat on top of Carlo as he lay on the ice, punching Carlo numerous times in the face. Even more surprising, none of the Bruins went after Mangiapane after he served his penalty. 

I see two problems with this. If Mangiapane had wanted to fight Carlo, he should've challenged him to a fight. That's how it's supposed to be done. Instead, Mangiapane broke the hockey code by continuing to hit Carlo after he was out of the fight and lying on the ice. 

It's easy to nitpick the on-ice officials, but the NHL's Department of Player Safety doesn't care about player safety, so nothing will happen to Mangiapane. Carlo has a history of concussions; according to Boston.com, he has suffered six documented concussions during his NHL career.  

Proper response by the officials: start holding the players accountable. All four players could've been given a two-minute minor and a misconduct penalty. Mangiapane deserves more than a two-minute minor. A five and a game would be a better response. 

Andrew Mangiapane (5'10") went OFF on Brandon Carlo (6'5") 😳👀 pic.twitter.com/xErlEtnwJi

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 31, 2024

Checking Hockey Fights, Andrew Mangiapane has never been in a fight, not in the OHL or the NHL. What caused this player to snap and act out of character?

FBS Football Playoffs Proves NCAA Playoffs at the Higher Seed's Stadium Can work -- Looking at You NCAA Hockey

If you watched the first round of the FBS playoffs this afternoon, you noticed that the teams were playing at the home stadium of the higher seed. While perusing X.com this afternoon, hockey journalist Ryan Stieg retweeted Mike Eidelbes's excellent tweet. Grand Forks Herald hockey scribe Brad E. Schlossman followed suit. Sounds like a great idea. Let's get this done soon. 

Went to IU-ND football yesterday. Probably the best sporting event I’ve attended in terms of atmosphere and electricity.

Having it on campus made it a billion times greater. Hint hint hockey …

— Mike Eidelbes (@INCH) December 21, 2024

Home hockey regionals would be electric. https://t.co/iVNbUKeZjp

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) December 21, 2024

Yes, it's well past time to revisit this subject again. We've beaten it to death, but we're not going away. Of course, you'll get some pushback from the same old soles, media members, coaches, and schools that want to play in quiet, empty, listless mausoleums masquerading as neutral-site hockey arenas. SMH! These arenas will be in exciting locations like Allen Town, Pennsylvania, or some arena that doesn't usually host hockey games. What could go wrong, right? You have to ask yourself what these people are afraid of? To be the best, you have to beat the best. It shouldn't matter if you have to play in an energy-filled arena. The Frozen Four isn't played in listless arenas. 

Last February, DU head hockey coach David Carle appeared on a podcast from Inside Hockey with Editor Adam Wodon and shared his perspective on the matter. Coach Carle was receptive to the idea. 

For the record, Adam Wodon of College Hockey News favors maintaining the status quo and does not support home-site regionals. 

Here are some points from that podcast. I included Carle's comments because he sees the whole picture and has a realistic opinion. 

"We are in a small minority of sports that do it this way, Carle said. College football is also neutral, but even the behemoth that it is, next year, expanding to 12. They are going to campus sites."

"We are vastly in the minority of not using home site top seeds hosting in any capacity," Carle said. "For the record, I'm against North Dakota being a one-seed this year and having three teams enter their building. That's worse than what we currently do—the top four seats hosting, you know, all the teams to four sites. It's worse when you talk about atmosphere, excitement, and the fan experience. I would get we all host games all the time, right? The top eight would host the bottom eight."

Let's get it done. It's well past time. Last season, I asked UND head coach Brad Berry if he favored playing regional games at home sites. 

Would Coach Berry’s team rather play in Minnesota or Duluth than in an empty arena in Bridgeport? Of course, he would.

“A hundred percent, Berry said. “That goes into the part of earning it. If we’re a lower seed and we have to go into a building. We already do that. We go into environments like that during the regular season; it shouldn’t be different in the playoffs. You have to win a game on the road. It’s going to provide a better atmosphere and a better experience for the college student-athletes.”

SCSU Assistant Coach R.J. Enga Airs Grievances Following Series with UND

SCSU Player Talks to the Refs During a Break in the Action

When I was a freshman at Upper Iowa University, our football coach told our team, following a painful loss, that we won class and we lost with class. Apparently, St. Cloud assistant coach R.J. Enga hasn't heard those words of advice. 

AUDIO: The Brett Larson Show from last night (12/16) from the @GreenMill

With Huskies assistant coach RJ Enga.

Next show will be Jan. 13. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all Huskies fans. https://t.co/MtmN5P0Dcf

— Jim Erickson (@SCSU_hockey_pbp) December 17, 2024

 

Coach Enga filled in for head coach Brent Larson on the Brent Larson Show with Huskies play-by-play radio announcer Jim Erickson. (You can listen to the whole show, linked in the tweet above.)  If you haven't heard it, check it out. It's interesting. 

Larson wasn't available because he had already left town to be an assistant coach with Team USA for the U20 World Junior Tourney. It was an interesting 40+ minutes. Enga aired his grievances about this past weekend's series. He attacked the linesmen, saying they dropped the pucks closer to the UND centermen, giving them an unfair advantage. The faceoff numbers were tied on Friday night 29-29; on Saturday, UND had the advantage 36-29. 

Whatever.

Enga attacked T.J. Semptimphelter, saying that he showed the ref up for taking his helmet off after being elbowed in the head on Friday night and taking off his helmet during Saturday's game after being elbowed in the head. Granted, the SCSU player was cross-checked into the UND goalie. He also attacked the ref for not making the right call. It sounds like sour grapes. 

After Friday's game, head coach Brad Berry got into a heated conversation with Larson. The video replay showed both coaches shouting obscenities at each other (you could read both men's lips). In the post-game press conference, coach Berry wasn't very pleased with what had transpired on the ice. 

"I'm not happy right now," Berry said. "I'm not going to get myself into trouble here, but that wasn't a great hockey play by them. For it to be a two-minute minor, that's a five-minute major and a game misconduct." 

Here's Enga's quote from the show, referring to Friday's dirty play that 

"If you watch the video, the young man that plays goalie for them, he threw his helmet off, tapping his head and stuff," Enga said on the radio show. "I'm not really sure what was going on with the guy. But when you watch it, it's like a split second, and I thought maybe a skate came up. We've seen some terrible incidents. I thought maybe that was the way he reacted. And then when I kind of saw it, definitely when I saw the video, I'm like, 'What is going on?'

"To me, don't make a mockery of the referees. Don't put them in those situations. Just play an honest, hard game and let's see who comes out on top. That's my opinion."

As I heard Enga's comment, I wondered; are you kidding me? Do we need to review the play in question again? Without beating a dead horse, It was a dirty play by Gavyn Thoreson. How did he expect the UND hockey team to react to Thoreson's antics? 

Here's the hit on T.J. Semptimphelter that irked UND coach Brad Berry tonight. pic.twitter.com/sXhGpKKQag

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) December 14, 2024

Finally, Enga made a snide comment about Brad Schlossman, who referenced Thoreson's style of play when he was in the USHL. His remarks show that Enga had read Schlossman's Friday Gamer. 

"Thoreson was known as a skilled player and agitator T.J. Semptimphelter the United States Hockey League last year, where he had 87 penalty minutes for the Waterloo Black Hawks, " Schlossman wrote.

I don't see anything wrong with bringing that point up. For those keeping track at home, Thoreson had 103 PIMs in 85 USHL games. It's not out of line to bring that up, especially after he had just run over the opposition's goalie in an attempt to rally his team or take out their goalie. If you don't like it, don't read the opposition's beat writer's analysis. 

Finally, the league could come down on Enga. He could get suspended for making comments about the on-ice officials; he attacked their credibility and integrity. However, it's unlikely based on who the commissioner is. The two teams play in St. Cloud on January 31 and February 1, 2025. This could be an interesting rematch. 

Random Thoughts on the UND Goalie Position

In hockey, the most popular player on a hockey team is the backup goalie.

This season, the University of North Dakota's goalie position has been the subject of much discussion on X and fan message boards. Everyone has an opinion on the matter. It's been an interesting season, and the UND hockey team has faced their fair share of adversity. 

"This has been a tumultuous first half," head coach Brad Berry said. "Up and down, inconsistent. Every season is different, but my biggest positive is that we're going the right way. We still have a long way to go, and the second half is coming up. We have to keep our foot on the gas and know what we've built here. We've got to continue to build and grow."

I keep reading that UND sophomore goalie Hobie Hedquist needs to play, or he'll enter the transfer portal. First, anyone familiar with UND head coach Brad Berry knows he's a team-first coach, meaning no player is more important than the program. Why isn't Hedquist playing more? There could be a variety of reasons. 

My random thoughts on the UND goalie position: has anyone ever considered that T.J. Semptimphelter might be the better goaltender? It's something to think about. Hobie has occasionally let in some weak goals. The goal in game two against Cornell to open the third period comes to mind. I am not saying Hedquist is a bad goalie, not at all. Currently, Semptimphelter may be the better goalie for UND hockey. Based on how the season has gone, there's very little room to experiment with a goalie rotation, especially now that the first half has passed; the coaches need to put together the best lineup to win. If the coaching staff decides to ride a hot goalie, they may do that. 

What happens if he enters the portal? The coaching staff will recruit more goalies; there will be many available goalies, and the CHL players will be eligible to play NCAA hockey.

Since the 2021-22 season, UND has utilized the transfer portal to recruit a starting goalie.

Post UND's starting goalie, Adam Scheel, here's how the goalie position has played out. UND has used four goalies in four consecutive seasons who weren't initially recruited by UND but finished their college careers at UND. That's the nature of the transfer portal. Here's the list of Portal goalies UND has used since the 2021-22 season. I added Scheel for comparison purposes. 

2018-21; Adam Scheel  (52-18-5 (.726), 1.95 GAA and .915 Save Percentage)

2021-22; Zach Driscoll (22-11-1 (.642), 2.34 GAA, .908 Save Percentage)

2022-23; Drew DeRidder (13-9-4 (.576), 2.53, .899 Save Percentage )

2023-24; Ludvig Persson (22-11-2 (.657), 2.52 GAA, .904 Save Percentage)

2024-25; T.J. Semptimphelter (10-5-1 (.656), 2.56 GAA, .903 Save Percentage)

UND Hockey: Dirty Play to End Friday's Game May Have Inspired Team Saturday

Late in Friday's game, at the 15:48 mark of the third period, Huskies forward Gavyn Thoreson cut across in front of the UND net and tried to dislodge the puck frozen in T.J. Semptimphelter's glove. In the process, he blatantly ran over the UND goalie, making contact with his head. It was a dirty play; there is no justification for that play other than an intent to injure a goalie currently holding a shutout. There was no defending that play. Video by Brad E. Schlossman.

Here's the hit on T.J. Semptimphelter that irked UND coach Brad Berry tonight. pic.twitter.com/sXhGpKKQag

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) December 14, 2024

For his troubles, Thoreson should have been assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct. It wasn't an accident but a deliberate play. Yes, the officials have a lot of leeway in this instance and have decided not to call a major penalty. 

In the post-game press conference, UND head coach Brad Berry was visibly upset with the play and exchanged pleasantries with SCSU head coach Brent Larson on the player's bench at the end of the game. 

"I'm not happy right now," Berry said. "I'm not going to get myself into trouble here, but that wasn't a great hockey play by them. For it to be a two-minute minor, that's a five-minute major and a game misconduct." 

In the game's waning seconds, UND defenseman Caleb MacDonald viciously cross-checked Thoreson in the back. We can only speculate about the move, but it appears MacDonald was sticking up for his teammate. Yes, yes, yes, I know; Husky fans will say that MacDonald's cross-check wasn't necessary and a dirty play. Maybe, but a message was sent to the Huskies that our team won't be pushed around. 

Caleb MacDonald's retaliation cross-checks on Gavyn Thoreson. Appears MacDonald also said something to Thoreson. pic.twitter.com/zgmhDsJw05

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) December 14, 2024

Following UND's 4-3 OT win tonight, in the post-game press conference, one of the television media members asked Berry what was said on the bench between the two coaches. 

"Just like we talked about our team in the locker room, I think I'd rather not say," Berry said. He continued. "You find out a lot of things about a lot of people, and you try to take the high road and keep moving on to the next year."

You have to commend Berry for taking the high road. If you follow the hockey code, what's said on the ice stays on the ice. Looking from the outside in, last night's game probably hardened the UND hockey team and helped inspire tonight's gutsy come-from-behind win. The Huskies took the lead three times only to have UND tie the game. UND never gave up. 

Earlier in the season, UND had trouble closing out close games. Over the past two weekends, UND has been tied or behind in two games entering the third period and has found ways to win. That's progress in the right direction. In the final period, UND wore down the Huskies and outshot them 14-9. UND found a way to win in the OT. 

The Hawks close out the first half of the season with an 11-7-1 record. UND has won four in a row and are 6-1-1 in the last eight games. Currently, UND is sitting in second place in the NCHC standings, two points out of first place, with 17 points. 

UND Hockey: Yes, It’s Been a Rough Season

It wouldn't be a lie if I said that the start of the UND hockey team's 2024-25 season has been rocky. After 15 games, the team's overall record is 7-7-1 (.500), 2-2-0 NCHC. UND is 26th in the all-important Pairwise Rankings. The UND fanbase is getting antsy, and they want blood. Perusing the comments on X and a popular fan message board, some in the UND fanbase would like a change at the top. Yes, it's been a rough season. 

 Wait, what? 

Yes, you heard that right. With roughly 20 games remaining in the season, a vocal group of UND hockey fans wants the University of North Dakota to fire Brad Berry. Personally, this writer doesn't feel those sentiments, and for that, I was accused of being a toady for the UND hockey team. Let this season play out before kick dirt on the UND hockey team. No, the UND fanbase is known for being patient. This team is close to breaking out and could go on a second-half run. 

 The Berry File 

You have a coach who has amassed an impressive 213-111-34 (.642) record. His teams have won four of the last five NCHC regular season titles. In their first season with coach Berry, he helped guide UND to their first NCAA title since 2000. A feat former head coach Dave Hakstol couldn't do in 11 seasons with UND. That's neither a slam nor a slight; it's just a fact. 

 Our fans also wanted Hakstol fired, too. In April 2015, UND fans were unhappy with head coach Dave Hakstol; while still a member of the Hockey Writers, I wrote this. 

It must be the offseason; a vocal minority of North Dakota hockey fans are once again calling for the ouster of head coach Dave Hakstol. This time, some of those same fans want Hakstol to take the whole coaching staff with him. (Link) 

None of that matters anymore. Hakstol was hired as the Philadelphia Flyers head coach, and UND hired Berry to replace Hakstol. Fans are now channeling their anger towards the current head coach. I was reminded that Berry's teams have stumbled in the NCAA playoffs all summer, winning a single game since the magical season of 2015-16. According to the naysayers, conference titles are fine, but that's not UND hockey; winning NCAA titles is the standard. 

During hockey media day back in September, coach Berry was very frank. 

"There’s a focus in the locker room on hanging a ninth green banner. “North Dakota is not for everybody, head coach Brad Berry said. “There’s a lot of pressure here, and within that, you have to make sure that you invest in yourself every day and earn the opportunity to bring it. That’s what I like about our group; they’re buying into how we do things here and are humble, respectful, and hardworking.” 

On getting that ninth green banner: “We’ve done a good job getting to a certain point,” Berry said. “We got to get past that point. That’s on us as coaches and players, working together and building the physical and mental side that can take you to that level. We’ve done a few things to discuss and work on, and we will continue to do that.” 

UND Bitten by the Injury Bug 

This season, UND has been bitten by the injury bug. The Hawks have been without Kaleb Johnson (indefinitely), Bennett Zmolek (indefinitely), Tanner Komzak (Returned against RMU), Cameron Berg (week-to-week), Louis Jammernik V (week-to-week), Andrew Strathmann (Returned this past weekend), Cody Croal (Returned last Saturday night). Wait, hold the phone. Saturday night, at various points of the game, two more players went down to injury. Ben Strinden and Caleb MacDonald both left the game and didn't return. 

Injuries aside, UND's back end is pretty green. Last Saturday, UND dressed four freshmen and two sophomores. The upperclassman from the D-Core, Bennett Zmolek, is out due to injury. 

 Nobody from the UND hockey team is making excuses. Friday, after UND's 2-1 loss to BSU, coach Berry's post-game comments on the radio broadcast were very brief and to the point. The Hawks aren't scoring five-on-five, and it's showing in the box scores. 

"We had a ton of them (Grade A chances)," Berry said. "Then one goes off a guy's leg. You have to get a few more of those. You have to try to keep getting pucks to the net with traffic. There weren't many power plays tonight. Each team had two power plays, so you got to create five-on-five." 

On Friday's 2-1 Loss to BSU. "It was a step in the right direction; I think there's still more to give," Berry said. "We have to keep playing at a high level, and we need a scoring rebound tomorrow night. We're home at the Ralph and must win that game."

Finally, UND has 20 games left in the regular season; maybe we should all take a breath and relax. Cut the guys some slack; they've faced a lot of adversity in 15 games. Some of this adversity is a valuable lesson that will help them adjust to the rigors of the college hockey season. 

UND Hockey: Time to Step off of the Ledge, They're Fine

The University of North Dakota hockey team had a statement game Friday, winning 7-2 over Hockey East Powerhouse Boston University. UND came out of the gate like gangbusters. Ultimately, it wasn't even close in the end, as they scored five goals on 11 shots in the first period. For those who are mathematically challenged, that's a .454 save percentage. I said it last year, and I'll repeat it: Mathieu Caron has looked shaky every time he's played against UND.

I told someone this was one of my top-10 UND hockey games ever. 

What a difference a week makes. After last weekend's split with the Minnesota State Mavericks, some fans were again suggested that UND fire Brad Berry. Three games into the season, and they want Berry gone already. So, after the first period, I tweeted this to X. 

 

It’s 5-0, so do the fans on Sioux Sports still want to fire 🔥 the head coach? 😆🤣

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) October 26, 2024

Let's at least wait till the end of the season to start the Fire Berry thread. He's not going anywhere, anyway. I've already predicted that the Hawks are going to the Frozen Four this year. 

I mean, seriously, I am kidding, not really. Last night's victory was a dismantling of the Boston University Terriers. It was a beatdown. UND came out determined and looked pissed off. They got in the shooting lanes and gave the Terriers nothing. When the Terriers got an odd-man rush, they recovered, breaking up the opportunities. UND forward Jake Schmaltz on the Hawks's quick start in the first period. 

 "After we got the lead, we didn't get too high, didn't get too low, just kind of machine-like mindset, and that kind of carried in the third but thought we we're ready to play, and we're going to have that same effort tomorrow," Schmaltz said.  

Boston University's Head Coach Said What?

Entering Friday’s game, the Terriers had the 62nd youngest team in college hockey. However, it wasn’t the younger players that Boston University head coach Jay Pandolfo was upset with. His veteran players didn’t answer the call.

“We certainly have a young group,” Pandolfo said. “A lot of these guys are playing in this environment for the first time, but I’m not putting it on the young guys. We have guys who are veteran players for us, who have been in tough environments and have experience, and they did not lead the way for us. Getting some of our young guys the first opportunity to play in this type of game, so I’m not putting it on them, but we had some older guys that have been around that did not help our group.”

What else can you say when you lose 7-2 in the opening game of a series?

“It makes it tough when you don’t win battles and compete all over the ice,” Pandolfo said. “It makes it difficult. That was the issue all night.