Month: November 2013

These non-conference matchups are critical for both schools, as UND and BU hope to be in the mix for the NCAA tournament at the end of the year. Over the past eight-plus seasons, North Dakota has taken advantage of its non-league games, going 41-13-11 (.715) over that stretch.

UND opened its non-conference season at home, taking three points from visiting Vermont. After this weekend’s games at Boston University, North Dakota will host St. Lawrence (6-4-2, 2-2-2- ECAC) and Northern Michigan (4-5-1, 2-2-0 WCHA) and play a home-and-home series with Bemidji State (4-6-2, 4-3-1 WCHA).

For the first time in over 40 years, the legendary Jack Parker will not be behind the bench as the head coach of the BU Terriers. Parker coached over 1400 games and led the Terriers to three NCAA titles (1978, 1995, 2009). Jack Parker led BU to 34 winning seasons in his career. During one nine season stretch (1989-1998), Boston University made nine consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament, advanced to the Frozen Four seven times, and played in four title games, claiming the trophy in 1995.

On the injury front, North Dakota will be playing without several key forwards against Boston University. Mark MacMillan, Colten St. Clair, and Brendan O’Donnell will all miss this weekend’s action, while Derek Rodwell’s availability is questionable. The four have combined for 7 goals and 3 assists in 25 games this season. To make up for the shortage up front, head coach Dave Hakstol will move defensemen Gage Ausmus and Andrew Panzerella to forward for the games at Agganis Arena.

Boston University Team Profile

Head Coach: David Quinn (1st season at BU, 5-6-0, .455)
National Ranking: NR
This Season: 5-6-0, 2-3-0 Hockey East (t-6th)
Last Season: 21-16-2, 15-10-2 Hockey East (t-3rd)

Team Offense: 2.36 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.00 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 20.9% (9 of 43)
Penalty Kill: 81.6% (40 of 49)

Key Players: Junior F Cason Hohmann (2-6-8), Freshman F Robbie Baillargeon (3-6-9), Sophomore F Danny O’Regan (4-3-7), Senior D Garrett Noonan (2-6-8), Sophomore D Ahti Oksanen (2-7-9), Sophomore G Sean Maguire (1-4-0, 2.49 GAA, .929 SV%)

North Dakota Team Profile

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (10th season at UND, 239-124-38, .643)
National Ranking: #15
This Season: 4-5-1, 3-5-0 NCHC (t-2nd)
Last Season: 22-13-7 overall (NCAA West Regional finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd)

Team Offense: 2.80 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.30 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 20.9% (9 of 43)
Penalty Kill: 87.8% (43 of 49)

Key Players: Sophomore F Rocco Grimaldi (3-7-10), Sophomore F Drake Caggiula (4-4-8), Sophomore F Michael Parks (3-4-7), Senior D Dillon Simpson (1-5-6), Junior D Nick Mattson (1-4-5), Senior G Clarke Saunders (2-0-0, 3.62 GAA, .907 SV%)

By The Numbers

Last meeting: November 3, 2012 (Grand Forks, ND). Boston University scored three third period goals, including two goals just 11 seconds apart in the final two minutes, to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 road victory. BU defenseman Alexx Privitera assisted on the game-winning goal but is perhaps better remembered for hitting a UND student with his stick near the penalty box in Friday’s opener, which North Dakota won, 4-2.

Last meeting in Boston: October 10, 2008. The Terriers blitzed North Dakota 5-1 in the opening game of the 2008 Ice Breaker Tournament. Early in the second period, UND knotted the game at 1-1. Within 38 seconds, Boston University had scored two goals and was off to the races. Brad Miller scored the lone goal for the Fighting Sioux.

Most important meeting: March 29, 1997. UND scores five goals in the second period and goes on to defeat Boston University 6-4 for the 1997 NCAA championship. David Hoogsteen scores two goals for the Fighting Sioux, including a back-breaker with six seconds remaining in the middle frame.

All-time record: North Dakota leads the all-time series, 12-8-1 (.595), helped by a stellar 6-1-1 (.813) record in games played in Grand Forks. When the newly-formed Hockey East began play in 1984-1985, it created a five-year interlocking schedule with the WCHA. During that time, Boston University and North Dakota met 7 times, with John “Gino” Gasparini’s Fighting Sioux squad going 6-1-0 against Jack Parker’s Terriers.

Last Ten: Boston University has had the better of the play of late, going 5-4-1 against UND in the last ten matchups. The Terriers have outscored UND 39-36 during that span.

Game News and Notes

UND forward Conner Gaarder scored a hat trick in the opening game of last season’s series in Grand Forks, and has one goal in 40 games since then. North Dakota is unbeaten (5-0-1) when Gaarder lights the lamp. Both teams are allowing an average of three or more goals per game (BU 3.00, UND 3.30). North Dakota senior captain Dillon Simpson picked up a goal and three assists last weekend in a home split with Minnesota-Duluth and was named NCHC Defenseman of the Week. The Terriers play on a hybrid sheet of ice at Agannis Arena; the playing surface is 90 feet wide; five feet wider than NHL rinks but not as wide as the Olympic ice sheets (100 feet wide). Friday’s game will be shown on NBC Sports Network, while Saturday’s action can be found on Midco Sports Network.

The Prediction

Both teams are struggling to find themselves and put together a consistent weekend of hockey. I don’t see either team running away with this series, so I’ll give the Terriers Friday’s opener, with North Dakota roaring back in the rematch on Saturday. BU 3-2, UND 4-3.

51-20-12. That’s the record that Minnesota-Duluth compiled from 2010-2012. In 2010-11, the Bulldogs won the national title, and they followed that up with a berth in the Northeast Regional final at the end of the 2012 campaign (falling to Boston College).

But last season was a different story. UMD won only 14 games (14-19-5) and finished ninth in the last season of the WCHA as it used to be. Despite a national championship to his credit, head coach Scott Sandelin is only three games over .500 (235-232-64, .503) during his tenure at Duluth. Now in his 14th season behind the bench, Sandelin has notched 20 or more victories six times, claimed one WCHA playoff championship, led Duluth to the national tournament four times, and brought his teams to two Frozen Fours.

By contrast, UND head coach Dave Hakstol, now in his tenth season coaching at his alma mater, already has 238 wins to his credit (238-123-38, .644). In each of his nine campaigns, Hakstol has won at least 20 games and brought UND to the NCAA tournament. He boasts two MacNaughton Cups (WCHA regular season title), four Broadmoor trophies (WCHA playoff title), and five Frozen Four appearances.

At the end of the 2010-11 season, many expected these two squads to go to battle for the national title. Duluth held up their end of the bargain, dispatching Notre Dame in their semifinal. UND fell short, however, falling to Michigan 2-0 in heartbreaking fashion.

The early standings in the NCHC are misleading, with UND tied for 3rd place and Minnesota-Duluth in 8th. North Dakota has already played six league games, while the Bulldogs have only played one conference series (a road split at Colorado College). By winning percentage order, Duluth is squarely in the middle of the pack, tied with Miami for fourth place. UND, at 2-4-0, sits in seventh.

North Dakota’s lineup will be a question mark up until game time, as several players are battling the flu bug and the injury bug. If UND is able to dress a full complement of 18 skaters, it will be an accomplishment.

Minnesota-Duluth Team Profile

Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (14th season at UMD, 235-232-64,.504)
National Ranking: #20
This Season: 4-3-1 overall, 1-1-0 NCHC (8th)
Last Season: 14-19-5 overall, 10-13-5 WCHA (9th)

Team Offense: 2.50 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 1.88 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 9.8% (4 of 41)
Penalty Kill: 93.6% (44 of 47)

Key Players: Freshman F Alex Iafallo (3-3-6), Senior F Joe Basaraba (2-2-4), Sophomore F Tony Cameranesi (1-2-3), Freshman D Carson Soucy (0-4-4), Sophomore D Andy Welinski (1-2-3), Senior G Aaron Crandall (3-2-0, 1.81 GAA, .925 SV%)

North Dakota Team Profile

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (10th season at UND, 238-123-38, .644)
National Ranking: #13
This Season: 3-4-1, 2-4-0 NCHC (t-3rd)
Last Season: 22-13-7 overall (NCAA West Regional finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd)

Team Offense: 2.62 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.12 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 18.2% (6 of 33)
Penalty Kill: 92.5% (37 of 40)

Key Players: Sophomore F Rocco Grimaldi (2-5-7), Junior F Mark MacMillan (2-2-4), Sophomore F Drake Caggiula (4-2-6), Sophomore F Michael Parks (2-4-6), Senior D Dillon Simpson (0-2-2), Junior D Nick Mattson (1-3-4), Sophomore G Zane Gothberg (2-4-1, 2.84 GAA. .908 SV%)

By The Numbers

Last Meeting: November 17, 2012 (Grand Forks, ND). UND sophomore forward Mark MacMillan tied the game early in the third period and potted the game winner in overtime as North Dakota downed visiting Duluth 4-3. The victory marked UND’s first Saturday night win of the season and the first time North Dakota had won a home overtime game since March 2009. The two teams skated to a 4-4 draw in Friday’s opener.

Most Important Meeting: March 22, 1984 (Lake Placid, NY) Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota met in the national semifinal game, with the Bulldogs defeating the Fighting Sioux 2-1 in overtime to advance to the championship. UND went on to defeat Michigan State 6-5 (OT) for third place, while Duluth fell to Bowling Green 5-4 in four overtimes, the longest championship game ever played.

All-time Series: UND leads the all-time series, 136-75-9 (.639), including a 76-31-3 (.705) record in games played in Grand Forks.

Last Ten: North Dakota is 7-2-1 (.750) in the last ten games between the teams. UND has outscored Duluth 40-19 in the past ten contests. Both losses were by a single goal.

Game News and Notes

North Dakota head coach Dave Hakstol is 19-7-3 (.707) against Minnesota-Duluth in his head coaching career. During last season’s series in Grand Forks, the two teams combined for 94 penalty minutes Both head coaches this weekend are alumni of the University of North Dakota: Dave Hakstol (’92) and Scott Sandelin (’86) both played for UND.

The Prediction

This is another of those weekends that has split written all over it, but I have a hunch that the short week of practice and all of the adversity that UND has faced up until this point will result in a gritty performance on Friday night. I think Saturday’s rematch is a closer affair, with North Dakota coming out on top. UND 4-2, 4-3 (OT).

Last season’s February series in Omaha was noteworthy for a couple of reasons. North Dakota swept the Mavericks 2-1 and 5-2, with Saturday’s contest played outdoors at TD Ameritrade Park, the home of the College World Series. The UND fan contingent was loud and impressive, leading directly to the notion that for North Dakota hockey, it’s always a home game.

Another large and vocal Green and White crowd is expected for this weekend in Omaha. Games will be played on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

Dean Blais’ squad has a distinct North Dakota feel to it, with two forwards named Archibald and Zombo on the ice. UND fans may remember their dads, Jim Archibald and Rick Zombo, who wore the green and white during Blais’ tenure in Grand Forks. The younger Archibald (Josh) is tied for the team lead in points (6-4-10), while Dominic Zombo has chipped in three goals and three assists in eight games for the Mavericks.

Nebraska-Omaha Team Profile

Head Coach: Dean Blais (5th season at UNO, 78-72-16, .518)
National Ranking: NR
This Season: 4-4-0, 2-0-0 NCHC (t-1st)
Last Season: 19-18-2 overall, 14-12-2 WCHA (7th)

Team Offense: 3.12 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.50 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 16.7% (8 of 48)
Penalty Kill: 67.9% (38 of 56)

Key Players: Senior F Ryan Walters (3-7-10), Junior F Josh Archibald (6-4-10), Junior F Dominic Zombo (3-3-6), Freshman D Ian Brady (1-5-6). Senior D Michael Young (0-4-4), Freshman G Kirk Thompson (3-2-0, 2.99 GAA, .887 SV%)

North Dakota Team Profile

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (10th season at UND, 237-122-38, .645)
National Ranking: #11
This Season: 2-3-1, 1-3-0 NCHC (t-6th)
Last Season: 22-13-7 overall (NCAA West Regional finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd)

Team Offense: 2.67 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.17 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 18.5% (5 of 27)
Penalty Kill: 96.6% (28 of 29)

Key Players: Sophomore F Rocco Grimaldi (2-3-5), Junior F Mark MacMillan (2-1-3), Sophomore F Drake Caggiula (3-2-5), Sophomore F Michael Parks (1-4-5), Senior D Dillon Simpson (0-1-1), Junior D Nick Mattson (1-2-3), Sophomore G Zane Gothberg (2-3-1, 2.79 GAA. .910 SV%)

By The Numbers:

Last meeting: February 9, 1013 (Omaha, NE). In a slushy and warm outdoor game, North Dakota scored the first four goals before Archibald and Zombo scored against their dads’ former school to make the score 4-2. UND senior Danny Kristo iced the contest with a late tally. Maverick netminder Dayn Belfour (son of UND great Eddie Belfour) made 20 saves in a relief effort after starting goaltender John Faulkner allowed three goals on five shots in the opening frame.

Most important meeting: Since the two teams have only met eight times (with UND holding a 5-3 advantage, outscoring UNO 24-20), I will call Saturday’s opener the most important meeting between the schools.

Game News and Notes

UNO has already allowed 18 power play goals in eight games this season, while North Dakota has killed 28 consecutive penalties. Maverick freshman forward Jake Guentzel was named NCHC Rookie of the Week after picking up assists on both UNO overtime goals last weekend at Denver.

The Prediction

North Dakota will not lose its fourth consecutive game. UND will be primed and ready to go from the drop of the puck on Saturday night. The Mavericks will steal at least one point from North Dakota in Sunday’s rematch, with a possible shootout looming. UND 5-2, 3-3 tie.

St. Cloud State is coming off of the most successful season in program history. The Huskies posted a 25-win season, claimed a share of the MacNaughton Cup as WCHA co-champions, and earned a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four (falling to Quinnipiac in the semifinals). As icing on the cake, senior forward Drew LeBlanc brought home the program’s first Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

Bob Motzko’s squad is unbeaten (3-0-1) on the young season, taking three of four points from former WCHA foe Bemidji State before sweeping Colgate last weekend. This weekend will mark the first National Collegiate Hockey Conference action for SCSU.

North Dakota opened the season by taking three points from Vermont in a home series before traveling to take on NCHC preseason favorite Miami. The two heavyweights split the weekend series, with the Green and White winning Friday night. UND junior forward Michael Parks wrote his name in the new league’s history books by scoring the first-ever goal in NCHC play.

As I mentioned in my UND/SCSU Challenge Cup article, North Dakota and St. Cloud State have been paired up as schedule partners and rivals since the 2002-03 season. Two years later, the Center Ice Club created a commemorative trophy to mark the rivalry, and the two teams have been battling it out four times each season to claim the Challenge Cup.

Since that time, UND has had the better of the play, both at home (9-5-4 in the Challenge Cup era) and in St. Cloud (9-6-3). North Dakota has claimed the Cup four times, the teams have shared the trophy three times, and the Huskies won the trophy outright last season and back in 2005-06.

The teams will be earning points for the Challenge Cup this weekend in Grand Forks, but the trophy won’t be awarded until the teams conclude their regular-season series with games in St. Cloud on February 28th and March 1st, 2014.

St. Cloud State Team Profile

Head Coach: (Bob Motzko, 9th season at SCSU, 165-125-36, .561)
National Ranking: #9
This Season: 3-0-1 overall, 0-0-0 NCHC
Last Season: 25-16-1 overall (NCAA Frozen Four semifinalist), 18-9-1 WCHA (t-1st)

Team Offense: 3.25 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.25 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 17.6% (3 of 17)
Penalty Kill: 84.6% (11 of 13)

Key Players: Senior F Nic Dowd (3-1-4), Sophomore F Jonny Brodzinski (1-3-4), Sophomore F Kalle Kossila (1-2-3), Junior D Andrew Prochno (0-1-1), Sophomore D Ethan Prow (0-3-3), Junior G Ryan Faragher (3-0-0, 2.33 GAA, .912 SV%)

North Dakota Team Profile

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (10th season at UND, 237-120-38, .648)
National Ranking: #5
This Season: 2-1-1, 1-1-0 NCHC
Last Season: 22-13-7 overall (NCAA West Regional finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd)

Team Offense: 3.25 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.25 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 19.0% (4 of 21)
Penalty Kill: 95.8% (23 of 24)

Key Players: Sophomore F Rocco Grimaldi (2-3-5), Junior F Mark MacMillan (1-1-2), Sophomore F Drake Caggiula (2-2-4), Sophomore F Michael Parks (1-3-4), Senior D Dillon Simpson (0-1-1), Junior D Nick Mattson (1-1-2), Sophomore G Zane Gothberg (2-1-1, 2.60 GAA. .917 SV%)

By The Numbers

Last Meeting: January 26, 2013 (Grand Forks, ND). Ben Hanowski potted an extra-attacker goal with under two minutes remaining in the third period to pull St. Cloud even with homestanding North Dakota. After a five minute overtime session, the game ended in a 2-2 tie. UND outshot the Huskies 36-18.

Most Important Meeting: March 17, 2001 (St. Paul, MN). St. Cloud State defeated North Dakota 6-5 to claim the 2001 WCHA Final Five Championship. Derek Eastman scored the game-winner in overtime after UND scored three goals in the final ten minutes of regulation to force the extra session.

All-time Series: UND leads the all-time series, 60-33-12 (.629), with a stellar 30-14-6 (.660) mark in games played in Grand Forks.

Last Ten: North Dakota holds a slight 5-4-1 (.550) edge in the last ten meetings between the teams despite being outscored 23-22 over that same span.

Game News and Notes

On Saturday night, fans are encouraged to arrive early and celebrate the accomplishments and legacy of John “Gino” Gasparini, the winningest coach in North Dakota hockey history. Gasparini compiled a career record of 392-249-24 (.608) and coached UND to three national championships. Two St. Cloud players were honored by the NCHC after a weekend sweep of Colgate. Sophomore blueliner Ethan Prow was named the Defenseman of the Week (three assists, +4), while forward Ryan Papa was named the league’s Rookie of the Week after scoring the first two goals of his young career. UND senior defenseman Dillon Simpson has already appeared in 12 games against SCSU, collecting two goals and one assist. North Dakota has killed 23 of 24 penalties this season.

The Prediction

This weekend has split written all over it. Normally in a split situation, I’ll pick the home team on Friday, but I’m going to reverse that this time around. St. Cloud is tuned up after a sweep last weekend, while North Dakota played only a single exhibition game. UND will rebound to take Saturday’s finale, with stellar penalty killing the difference in the rematch. SCSU 4-2, UND 4-2.

On a Personal Note

I look forward to this series every year because of the unique relationship we have with the St. Cloud State hockey fans. On behalf of SiouxSports.com, I would like to invite you to the UND/SCSU pre-game social on Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. inside the Muddy Rivers Ballroom (GuestHouse Inn and Suites, 710 First Avenue North) near downtown Grand Forks. This is a great opportunity to meet fans on both sides of the rivalry, win fabulous door prizes, enjoy a free appetizer bar, and view the Challenge Cup. This event is free and open to all fans 21 and older.