Friday Gameday: A Petty Pick at Pecknold

North Dakota takes on Quinnipiac this weekend, the team the Green and White romped 5-1
en route to the 2016 National Championship. Photo Credit: Grand Forks Herald

DDC has built up a bit of disdain for the Quinnipiac Bobcats over the past decade or so. But, why?

There's not a big rivalry with UND. There's certainly no connection in terms of region. Connecticut is a beautiful state and it's super fun to say 'Connecticut.' The Green and White have never lost to the Bobcats, twice beating them in the NCAA tournament including, of course, the 2016 title game. 

So, what's the reason? Frankly, it's pretty simple.

Rand Pecknold.  

Whether it's whining about Scheels Arena not being a neutral site (he's right, but still, such a lame whine) and playing around with Sam Anas' injury status ("not even close to playing" -- he played) in the 2015 West Regional or downplaying how good the CBS line was before the 2016 National Championship game or his annoying feuds with coaches on eastern teams, DDC just doesn't like the Bobcats' head coach. While certainly petty, DDC is looking forward to this weekend as our No. 6 Fighting Hawks (3-1-0) take on the No. 7 Bobcats (2-0-1) in Hamden, Conn., with Pecknold behind the bench for QU.

Sorry for being out a couple weeks, but such is life for DDC. Let's take a deeper look at this important non-conference series. 

Who?

Players to Watch

Quinnipiac University Bobcats

Sr. F., Michael Lombardi, 2 goals, 2 assists -- 4 points; Jr. F., Skyler Brind'Amour, 1g, 2a -- 3 pts; So. F., Ty Smilanic, 1g, 1a -- 2 pts; So. G., Yaniv Perets, 1-0-1, .947 save percentage, .96 goals against average; Sr. G., Dylan St. Cyr, 1-0-0; 14-save shutout last weekend against Vermont.

University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Jr. F., Ashton Calder, 4g, 2a -- 6 pts; So. F., Riese Gaber, 2g, 4a -- 6 pts; Fr. F., Jake Schmaltz, 3g, 2a -- 5 pts; So. D., Jake Sanderson -- 2g, 2a -- 4 pts; Sr. G., Zach Driscoll, 3-1-0; 2.26 GAA, .898 SV%

What?

Standout Stats and Notes

Quinnipiac

The Bobcats have yet to score a power play goal this year, but have also not allowed a goal when on the penalty kill through their three games.

Their 54% faceoff win percentage slots the Bobcats at 15th nationally.

Quinnipiac is 0-4-0 all-time against UND including a 4-1 loss in the 2015 West Regional in Fargo and a 5-1 loss in the 2016 National Championship game.

UND

The Fighting Hawks penalty kill comes into the weekend at 93.3%, good for 11th in the NCAA.

North Dakota is third in the nation with a 14.7% shooting percentage.

Senior defenseman Chris Jandric's +7 rating is tied for fifth best in the nation.

How?

How'd they get here?

Quinnipiac is 2-0-1 on the season, winning last Saturday's game against Vermont 2-0. Notre Dame transfer goalie Dylan St. Cyr notched a shutout for the Bobcats in his fist action with his new squad.

The Fighting Hawks (3-1-0) split a home-and-home series with Bemidji State, winning 4-3 in Bemidji on Friday and dropping a 4-3 decision in overtime at home on Saturday. The loss was UND's first in a non-conference clash at home since 2018, a span of 17 games.

The Pick

The last time these two teams played, it ended up alright for UND. DDC believes
it won't be as fun this time, as a split is likely at hand. Photo credit: GF Herald

Ugh, it's tough to be a homer in this one because DDC really, really dislikes Mr. Pecker... sorry... Pecknold (See Ghostbusters reference). With that said, what UND has shown so far this season, much like DDC expected and predicted, has been a little bit of inconsistency. With 14 new faces, most understood this would take a little bit of time to grow into a fantastic hockey team. The new pieces have been great -- Jake Schmaltz has looked like a goal scorer as a freshman, Ashton Calder leads the team in goals, Zach Driscoll has been steady -- but the mesh just isn't fully there. UND is getting closer and closer to full health with forward Brendan Budy inching towards a comeback and defenseman Brady Ferner doing the same, but until then, the Hawks may still see some ups and downs as they look to gel. 

All of this said, DDC has seen some pretty great stretches in the first four games and he expects this to vault the team to a solid weekend against a solid opponent in a very important non-conference series. QU looks to be starting off strong, tying then No. 6 Boston College, beating No. 18 Northeastern and Vermont, and there's plenty of historical motivation for Mr. Pecknold to fire his team up with. 

Ugh... DDC just can't pick a sweep. 

DDC thinks the Green and White will come out hard on Friday and get a win, but the Bobcats even it up on Saturday.

UND TAKES THE 5-2 WIN ON FRIDAY, BUT MR. PECKNOLD'S BOYS EVEN IT UP WITH A 4-2 VICTORY ON SATURDAY

As always, thanks for the read and check back early next week to see what DDC thought of this series.

Friday Gameday: The Best College Hockey Has to Give

UND and Minnesota renew pleasantries this weekend in Grand Forks for the first time since 2013. (Photo: UND sports)

DDC has done the superlatives before.

It's memories of Matt Frattin steamrolling Kevin Wehrs. It's Blake Wheeler with an improbable diving goal for a Final Five Gophers victory. It's Chris Porter potting an overtime winner one week later to send the Fighting Sioux to the Frozen Four. It's Robbie Bina's 180-foot bouncing puck for a goal in Mariucci. It's 0.6.

It's in-game and postgame scrums. It's intensity. It's passion. It's the best college hockey has to give.

It's UND vs. Minnesota and simply put, it's The Rivalry.

No. 4 North Dakota and No. 7 Minnesota faceoff this weekend and for the first time since 2013, the Gophers travel up to Grand Forks to take on UND. Frankly, there's really not much else that needs to be said about it as all who read this know what this series is all about.

Strap it on, boys and girls. This one will be fun.

Here's what to watch for in DDC's weekly "Who? What? How?" series preview.

Who?

Players to Watch

Fr. F. Casey Mittelstadt
was the 8th-overall pick
in the 2017 NHL Draft
of the Buffalo Sabres.

Minnesota Golden Gophers:

Jr. F, Tommy Novak, 1 goal, 3 assists -- 4 points; So. F, Rem Pitlick, 1g, 3a -- 4 pts; Fr. F, Brannon McManus, 3g, 0a -- 3 pts; Fr. F, Casey Mittelstadt, 2g, 1a -- 3 pts; Jr. F, Tyler Sheehy and Fr. F. Scott Reedy both likely out this weekend due to injury; Jr. G, Eric Shierhorn, 2-2-0, 2.50 goals against average, .918 save percentage.

University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks:

Jr. F, Rhett Gardner, 1g, 2a -- 3 pts; Jr. D, Christian Wolanin, 1g, 2a -- 3 pts; Jr. F, Joel Janautinen, 0g, 3a -- 3 pts; Jr. F, Shane Gersich, 1g, 1a -- 2 pts; Fr. F, Collin Adams, 2g, 0a -- 2 pts; Fr. F, Grant Mismash, 1g, 1a -- 2 pts; Sr. G, Cam Johnson, 3-0-1, 1.23 GAA, .938 SV PCT.

What? 

Standout Stats

Minnesota:

The Gophers are averaging 19 penalty minutes per game, tied for 4th-most nationally.

Minnesota is tied for 13th in the nation in team scoring with a 3.00 goals per game average.

The Gophers have allowed six power play goals in 18 chances this season. The 66.7% penalty kill is tied for 50th out of 54 teams.

UND:

UND is tied for 4th in team defense, nationally allowing just 1.25 goals per game and are 7th in Penalty Kill at 93.8%.

Senior netminder Cam Johnson is tied for 8th nationally with a 1.23 goals against average.

The Fighting Hawks are allowing just 20.25 shots on goals per game, the best mark in the NCAA.

How?

How’d they get here?

No. 7 Minnesota (2-2-0; 1-1-0 BTHC) split at home against Penn State last weekend, losing 3-1 on Friday and winning 6-3 on Sunday. Freshman Brannon McManus notched his first three career goals for his first collegiate hat trick in Sunday's win.

No. 4 UND (3-0-1) swept St. Lawrence last weekend at home, 2-1 and 6-1. The Green and White had six different scorers in Saturday night's win. Senior goalie Cam Johnson and Freshman forward Grant Mismash were tabbed as NCHC goaltender and rookie of the week with their performances against St. Lawrence.

Ranked 4th and 7th respectively, this will be UND and Minnesota's first meeting since January 18-19, 2013 in which the two teams faceoff as Top 10 teams in the polls. That was the last time the Gophers took on UND in Grand Forks. 

The Pick

Gross.

DDC has so many memories of this beloved and historic rivalry. 

 

It started in his youth with players like Jay and Jeff Panzer rolling over Minnesota in the old REA. Through high school, DDC watched players like Grant Potulny, Thomas Vanek and Phil Kessel rip his heart out with crushing losses.

 

Moving into college, DDC experienced blowout wins behind the vaunted DOT and Pony Express lines and pure jubilation on the backs of Fighting Sioux sweeps in Mariucci and Chris Porter's OT winner in the 2007 West Regional final with a dozen of his closest friends.

Ok, that's better.

Post college, the historic tilts continued. The Timeout game in the WCHA Final Five semis. The Gopher win a week later at the X to send Minny to the Frozen Four. Then, of course, 0.6. 

Year after year, game after game, this Rivalry has brought out the best in both teams and DDC ultimately expects this weekend to be no different.

With this weekend continuing a 7-year run of these two teams facing off each year, will another name be added to UND vs. Minnesota legend? Paging Shane Gersich. Austin Poganski. Paging Casey Mittelstadt. Rem Pitlick. Rivalry legends Chris Porter, Matt Frattin, Justin Holl and Blake Wheeler are waiting to hear from you.

Let's. Frickin'. Go.

Both teams have started fairly well, with each ranked in the Top 10 in the country. While trends of Minnesota starting cold in special teams play and UND lacking scoring punch from expected team leaders in Shane Gersich and Austin Poganski have arisen, throw that out the window. Big players play big in big games. 

DDC fully expects to get Minnesota's best this weekend and the Gophers know the Ralph Engelstad Arena will be bedlam, this weekend. 

With how early this season is, DDC could just as well play it safe and pick a split between two good teams in a huge rivalry, but that wouldn't be DDC's style, would it?

This weekend, it comes down to not only who's on the ice, but who's in the stands. With junior captain Tyler Sheehy and dynamic freshman Scott Reedy out this weekend, UND has a bit of an advantage in depth. Couple that with about 12,000 rabid fans getting to watch The Rivalry at home for the first time since 2013, DDC sees the stands as a big difference maker. 

 

UND SWEEPS THE GOPHERS WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HOME COOKIN', 3-2, 4-3. 

 

It's gonna be fun. Check back next week to see how it all went down and as always, thanks for reading!


 

Friday Gameday: Just Like Old Times?

UND defenseman Derek Forbort battles along the boards with a UAA skater from in Anchorage, Alaska
in 2011 during the last time the Green and White and Seawolves played each other in Sullivan Arena. (Photo: UND Sports)

Alright, so this time is counts.

We've officially reached college hockey season as the No. 7 University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks travel to a place well known by the program, but not much by the current team.

The Hawks are on the road to faceoff with long-time Western Collegiate Hockey Conference foe the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves Friday and Saturday from Sullivan Arena.

These two teams have a long history together, but haven't played each other since the 2012-13 season as North Dakota left to join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference before the 2013-14 campaign. UND hasn't played in Sullivan Arena since 2011.

Since then, UAA has struggled to perform in the WCHA having continued to finish near the bottom of the conference and dead last the past two years. UND, on the other hand, has continued its run at or near the top of the college hockey world, making the NCAA tournament every year since 2001 and winning its 8th National Championship in 2016.

So, will it continue to be like old times for this series that has seen UND dominate to a 46-17-5 clip all-time, or is the dawn of a new season and the task of the Hawks traveling nearly 3,000 miles for a pair of games enough to sway the tide for UAA?

Let's see what DDC thinks will stand out this weekend in Alaska in his weekly "Who? What? How?" series preview.

Who?

Players to Watch

Sr. G Olivier Mantha

Alaska-Anchorage (2016-17 scoring):

Sr. F, Matt Anholt, 5 goals, 17 assists -- 22 points; Sr. F, Tad Kozun, 5g, 14a -- 19 pts; Sr. D, Jarrett Brown, 5g, 10a -- 15 pts; Jr. F, Jonah Renouf, 3g, 6a -- 9 pts; Fr. F, Cameron Trott, 50 points in two seasons of Junior A hockey; Sr. G, Olivier Mantha, 7-18-4, 2.82 goals against average, .913 save percentage.

UND (2016-17 scoring):

Jr. F, Shane Gersich, 21g, 16a -- 37 pts; Sr. F, Austin Poganski, 12g, 13a -- 25 pts; So. D, Christian Wolanin, 6g, 16 a -- 24 pts; So. F, Rhett Gardner, 8g, 13a -- 21 pts; Fr. F, Grant Mismash, 2nd Round NHL draft pick; Sr. G, Cam Johnson, 20-13-3, 2.38 GAA, .903 SV PCT.

What? 

Standout Stats

Alaska Anchorage:

The Seawolves were last in the NCAA in scoring last season, recording just 1.74 goals per game and were second to last in power play goals at 0.44 per game.

Senior Matt Anholt leads UAA returners with 22 points (5g, 17a) last season.

Senior netminder Olivier Mantha has posted a .903 save percentage of better in his of his three seasons with the Seawolves.

UND:

UND leads the all-time series with UAA at a 46-17-5 mark. This weekend marks the first time the two long-time WCHA foes have played since October 26-27, 2012.

North Dakota has made the NCAA tournament in 15-straight seasons.

The Fighting Hawks return 7 of their top 10 scorers from last season, but lose 99 combined points from Tyson Jost (Colorado), Brock Boeser (Vancouver) and Tucker Poolman (Winnipeg), who all left for NHL contracts and are on opening-night rosters for their respective teams.

How?

How’d they get here?

UAA won their exhibition matchup against Simon Fraser University, 6-1. Senior forward Austin Azurdia had a hat trick and an assist in the win..

No. 7 UND topped Manitoba 6-2 in exhibition fashion as sophomore forward Ludvig Hoff notched two goals while all six rookie skaters tallied at least a point.

The Green and White are 6-0 in their last six games against Alaska Anchorage.

UND rookies Jordan Kawaguchi (29) and Nick Jones
converge on a Manitoba skater. (Photo: GF Herald)

The Pick

Well, this is kind of an odd one.

A non-conference series (and we know how important these are to the Pairwise) that's 3,000 miles from home with a team in UND that's chocked full of new faces that are still trying to get to know each other while replacing three NHL players from last season's roster.

Sounds easy, right?

Well, DDC thinks it will end up being that way, but it may take a minute. UAA has a nice group of returning players and are going to be fired up at home against an old-time foe, but frankly put, they have been at the bottom of the WCHA for the past two years for a reason.

The Hawks look like they are going to bring a depth that the Seawolves just cant hang with for a 60-minute game. With a group of returning standouts like skaters Shane Gersich, Austin Poganski, Christian Wolanin and netminder Cam Johnson, UND is simply more talented than UAA.

With that complement of talented returners, the Green and White showed in the exhibition that their rookies can play, too. Freshmen Grant Mismash and Jordan Kawaguchi both potted goals in their first games in a UND sweater while all six rookies tallied at least a point in a 6-2 drubbing of Manitoba. Of course, this is only an exhibition, but the rookies certainly passed the eye test last week against the Bisons.

Travel shouldn't be an excuse for the Fighting Hawks as they arrived three days in advance for this series and are the more talented team.

UND GETS THE SWEEP AT SULLIVAN AND LEAVES THE LAST FRONTIER WITH TWO WINS, 6-2, 4-1

Thanks for reading! Check back next week to see how the Green and White fared.

Friday Gameday: A 20-Something Sweep, Not a Dirty 30 Geritol, Please?

DDC turns 30 on Saturday and is
feeling spry with no supplements needed.

This is DDC's last post as a 20-Something as he turns 30 on Saturday and he'd love a birthday present from his beloved UND men's hockey team and he's not asking for medication for any elderly ailment.

Much like DDC's 29 years on this wonderful earth, it's been an up-and-down first half for the defending national champions. (Pretty much kidding with DDC's up-and-down life 😀)

The UND men's hockey team started their title defense 5-0 then went on a six-game winless streak, the Green and White's longest since the 2002-03 season. UND followed that up with an impressive sweep in St. Cloud for the first time since 1998 and then slipped again the next weekend as North Dakota lost and tied Michigan State, who entered that weekend near the bottom of the PairWise rankings. Last weekend, the upswing came back as UND topped rival Boston College 4-3 in the College Hockey Showdown game from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

So, in short, DDC really has no idea what the heck is going to happen as the No. 18 Western Michigan Broncos travel to Grand Forks to take on the No. 8 Green and White.

This is DDC's last "He's in his 20s, he wears it well and still doesn't need any Little Blue Pill or Geritol" series preview. Here's what to watch for as DDC brings back his "Who? What? How?" look of this last National Collegiate Hockey Conference tussle of 2016.

Who?

Players to Watch

WMU So. Matheson Iacopelli
leads the NCHC with 13 goals.

Western Michigan:

So. F, Matheson Iacopelli, 13 goals, 4 assists -- 17 points; Sr. D, Taylor Fleming, 0g, 13a -- 13 pts; So. F, Griffen Molino, 4g, 7a -- 11 pts; Fr. F, Wade Allison, 7g, 3a -- 10 pts; Sr. F, Sheldon Dries, 4g, 6a -- 10 pts;  So. G, Trevor Grouch, 4-3-2, 3.07 goals against average, .894 save percentage.

UND:

So. F, Shane Gersich, 11g, 11a -- 22 pts; Fr. F, Tyson Jost, 7g, 10a -- 17 pts; So. F, Brock Boeser, 7g, 9a -- 16 pts (likely out this weekend); Jr. D, Tucker Poolman, 4g, 10a -- 14 pts; Jr. F, Austin Poganski, 3g, 7a -- 10 pts; Jr. G, Cam Johnson, 8-5-3, 2.24 GAA, .907 SV PCT.

What? 

Standout Stats

Western Michigan:

The Broncos are 9th in the NCAA in goals per game with a 3.64 average and are 11th in power play at 22.1%.

Sophomore Matheson Iacopelli leads the NCHC with 13 goals for the year after scoring just once in his freshman season in 27 games played.

WMU has just one win in their last five games (1-2-2).

UND:

UND is 11th in the country in goals against, allowing just 2.31 goals per game and are 26th in goals scored with a 3.06 per game average.

UND is 15-1-0 all time against WMU, with their lone loss coming in 2013-14, costing UND a Penrose Cup title in the NCHC's first season. The Green and White won all four games between the two teams last season. Netminder Cam Johnson won all four of those games with a sterling 1.56 goals against average and .948 save percentage.

Sophomore forward Shane Gersich is tied with Omaha's Austin Ortega for the NCHC scoring lead with 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists).

Freshman forward has six points in his last five games (4 goals, 2 assists) including a pair of goals in two separate games (last week against Boston College and Nov. 25 at home against Michigan State).

How?

How’d they get here?

No. 18 WMU (PWR: 11, 7-4-3; 3-4-1 – 11 points, 3^rd in NCHC) fell 3-0 at home against St. Cloud State on Friday and tied 5-5, but won in a shootout to gain the extra conference point on Saturday.

No. 8 UND (PWR: 7, 8-5-3; 2-3-1 – 8 points, 6^th in NCHC) topped No. 3 Boston College 4-3 in the College Hockey Showdown game from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Pick

UND Fr. F, Tyson Jost celebrates one of his two goals in the Green and
White's 4-3 win over Boston College last Saturday from Madison Square
Garden in New York City. (Photo credit: Russell Hons/UND Athletics)

This is a different looking Western Michigan squad from their recent incarnations as they can score goals (9th in the NCAA in scoring) and have beaten three ranked teams, including Denver. 

On the other side of the ice, like DDC previously mentioned, UND has been wholly an up-and-down team. They've looked dominant at times and completely lost and uninspired at others. 

The Green and White took to a big stage last weekend in NYC and outplayed the No. 3 BC Eagles, particularly when 5-on-5, and got scoring from their top-end players as well as third and fourth liners. This development will be huge for UND, going forward. 

With Brock Boeser likely out for another weekend as he nurses an arm injury, Tyson Jost and Shane Gersich will need to continue to lead the way in the scoring department. Where UND gets tough to beat is when players like Trevor Olson, who scored his first goal in 57 games, the game winner against BC, find the back of the net. 

Again, this isn't the plodding and overly physical WMU team that UND has seen in recent years and the Green and White will need to slow a Broncos squad that is scoring plenty of goals, this season. 

UND must stay out of the penalty box as they have played very well when 5-on-5 this season but are a lowly 79.7% on the penalty kill and WMU is clicking with a 11th-best in the NCAA power play (22.1%). If the Green and White can stay out of the box and give open viewing lanes to Cam Johnson in net, UND has shown the ability to score enough goals and deny chances and win games.

UND GIVES DDC A "20-SOMETHING" FRIDAY WIN AND "DIRTY 30" VICTORY FOR A BIRTHDAY SWEEP, 4-2, 4-3.

There you have it. Thanks for reading and for all birthday gifts, feel free to comment and DDC will send you his address. Cheers!

NCHC Playoffs -- First Round: Cliche Alert! "It's Tough to End Somebody's Season"

It's been over six months since the UND men's hockey team kicked off its 2015-16 campaign with a new head coach, new starting goaltender and 11 freshmen.

Twenty-eight wins, including 11 sweeps, a conference scoring title by one of those 11 freshman, Brock Boeser and a Penrose Cup title later, the Green and White are right back where they started the National Collegiate Hockey Conference playoffs the past two seasons -- at home facing the Colorado College Tigers in a best-of-three series with a chance to move on to the Frozen Faceoff in Minneapolis.

It's been quite a ride for UND and despite what happens this weekend in Grand Forks, the Green and White will definitely be playing in the NCAA tournament in two weeks. For Colorado College, the stakes are much different. It's win or play golf for the Tigers as they are well out of the Pairwise rankings.

North Dakota took 11 of 12 points from the Tigers this season, but the old cliche "it's tough to end somebody's season" holds true in this one.

While UND's season isn't in jeopardy of ending this weekend, the Green and White certainly have a lot to play for.

Currently holding the No. 1 Pairwise ranking, UND looks to continue a hot finish to their 

regular season en route to the opportunity to hang green banner No. 8 in the REA rafters. That push begins tonight.

Here's what to watch in this week's "Who? What? How?" NCHC playoffs preview as UND looks to end CC's year in the first round, for the third-straight season.

Who will survive and advance? It's time to lace 'em up. It's playoff time.

Who?

Who will advance to the Frozen Faceoff?

First round matchups at high seed:

No. 1 UND vs. No. 8 Colorado College
No. 2 SCSU vs. No. 7 Western Michigan
No. 3 Denver vs. No. 6 Nebraska Omaha
No 4. Minnesota Duluth vs. No. 5 Miami

Players to watch

Colorado College

Sr. F, Hunter Fejes, 13 goals, 9 assists -- 22 points; Jr. F, Luc Gerdes, 7g, 11a -- 18 pts; Fr. F, Trey Bradley, 9g, 7a -- 16 pts; Sr. F, Cody Bradley, 7g, 8a -- 15 pts; So. D, Teemu Kivihalme, 3g, 12a -- 15 pts; Fr. G., Jacob Nehama, 6-17-0, 3.62 goals against average, .902 save percentage; Jr. G., Tyler Marble, 0-9-1, 3.66 GAA, .892 SV PCT.; Jr. G. Derek Schatzer got his first career start last Saturday and allowed nine goals to SCSU.

UND

Fr. F, Brock Boeser, 25g (Most goals in NCHC, 2nd in NCAA in rookie goals, T-4 overall in NCAA), 18a -- 43 pts (NCHC scoring champ, 2nd in NCAA in rookie scoring, T-10 overall); Sr. F, Drake Caggiula, 18g, 21a -- 39 pts; So. F, Nick Schmaltz, 5g, 29a (T-2nd in NCAA in assists per game with 1.00) -- 34 pts; Jr. D, Troy Stecher, 7g, 18a -- 25 pts; So. F, Austin Poganski, 8g, 13a -- 21 pts; So. D, Tucker Poolman, 4g, 17a -- 21 pts; So. G, Cam Johnson, 18-3-1 (1st in NCAA in win percentage), 1.63 GAA (2nd in NCAA), .937 SV PCT (3rd in NCAA), 5 shutouts (T-6 in NCAA).

What?

Standout Stats

UND Fr. F, Brock Boeser
won the NCHC scoring title.
Boeser became the program's
first rookie to earn a league scoring title.

The Green and White landed four players on all-NCHC teams. Freshman Brock Boeser and senior Drake Caggiula were first-team selections while junior Troy Stecher and sophomore Cam Johnson earned second-team honors. Boeser was the top vote getter for the all-rookie team. Junior Paul LaDue and sophomore Nick Schmaltz were honorable mentions.

UND is allowing just 1.86 goals per game which slates them third in the NCAA. North Dakota has the nation's 8th best scoring offense with a 3.53 average.

Colorado College is 55th in the NCAA in goals per game with 2.03 and 56th in the country in goals allowed at 3.91.

Boeser became UND's first freshman in team history to win a conference scoring title. Boeser's 20 goals and 35 points in conference play earned him the league's best mark in both categories. Both were new conference records.

UND senior Drake Caggiula is tied for first in the NCAA with a +34. Sophomore Nick Schmaltz and Boeser are tied for fourth with a +30.  

North Dakota has the country's 6th-best penalty kill at 86.8%. CC's power play is clicking at 15.6%, 39th in the NCAA.

The Green and White are 21-0-2 when leading after 2 periods this season and has not lost when leading after two in more than two years.

How?

How'd they get here?

No. 2 UND (No. 1 in PWR, 28-5-3, 19-4-1-1 -- 59 points, No. 1 seed in NCHC tournament, Penrose Cup champions) swept Western Michigan 8-1, 5-4 in Grand Forks. The Green and White enter the playoffs on a six-game winning streak, the program's longest streak to end a regular season since 2009-10.

Colorado College (6-27-1, 4-19-1 -- 13 pts, 8th seed in NCHC tournament) was swept at home against St. Cloud State, 5-2, 9-3.

North Dakota took 11 out of 12 points from the Tigers this season, sweeping CC 5-2, 2-0 in Colorado Springs and adding a 5-5 tie (UND won the SO) and 5-1 win in Grand Forks.

These two teams have now faced each other in the first round of the NCHC playoffs in all three league tournaments.

The Pick

Sports fans love cliches.

"You gotta play it one game at a time." "Throw the records out the window, it's playoff time." "It's going to take a full, sixty-minute effort."

Part of the reason sports fans love cliches is that they give everyone hope. After all the ups and downs of a season, the wins, the losses, the highlights and lowlights, all that's in the past really doesn't matter. If a team doesn't get it done come playoff time, all the regular season is is a memory.

Colorado College is holding the adage "it's tough to end somebody's season" tight as they look to continue their campaign.

UND and Colorado College will faceoff in the first round of  NCHC playoffs
for the third-straight season. The Green and White took 11 of 12 points from
the Tigers this season. The winner of the best-of-three series will move on to the
NCHC Frozen Faceoff next weekend in Minneapolis. (Photo Credit: GF Herald)

Outside of a 5-5 tie that saw UND cough up a 4-0 lead at home, the Green and White have wholly dominated the Tigers this season. In the 5-5 tie in Grand Forks, CC's top line of Hunter Fejes, Sam Rothstein and Luc Gerdes pasted UND as the Green and White struggled defensively.

As they often do come playoff time, injuries could play a big role in this series. UND looks like it will have the services of dynamic forward Nick Schmaltz this weekend, while the Tigers don't yet have the answer of who will play in net. CC junior third-string netminder Derek Shatzer was forced into his first-career start last weekend against SCSU as Tyler Marble and Jacob Nehama both sat with injuries. Shatzer was welcomed into college hockey by nine goals from the Huskies. No official word has come as to the availability of Marble or Nehama for this weekend. Rothstein also sat out due to injury. Not having Rothstein would be an obvious blow to the Tigers.

Back to the cliche.

UND will be playing a desperate CC squad that doesn't want to see their season come to an end, but the Green and White are simply the better team. If North Dakota can keep the momentum on their side, potting a couple early goals, they should coast. CC is the No. 8 seed and playing for their season for a reason.

It's the last time UND seniors Drake Caggiula, Bryn Chyzyk, Coltyn Sanderson and Colten St. Clair will skate in front of their home crowd and DCC thinks their leadership will pace a North Dakota series victory this weekend.

North Dakota's big offensive guns and third best defense in the NCAA will be too much for the Tigers.

UND SENDS CC TO THE GOLF COURSE AND MOVES ON TO THE FROZEN FACEOFF, 5-1, 4-2.

There you have it. Check back after the series to see who punched their ticket to the Target Center.

Friday Gameday: North Dakota -- Back at Full Strength

For the past four games, the UND men's hockey team has played shorthanded.

Without two Hobey Baker Award candidates (Drake Caggiula and Nick Schmaltz) and another regular forward (Chris Wilkie), many teams may have struggled. However, the Green and White did what they have done all year long -- found ways to get points and deliver, going 3-0-1 in that span.

And now, with all 23 skaters available for their crucial National Collegiate Hockey Conference series at Magness Arena against the No. 13 Denver Pioneers, No. 2 UND's four-game running penalty kill is back at full strength.

Caggiula and Schmaltz will rejoin freshman Brock Boeser, putting what could be college hockey's most dynamic group, the CBS line, back on the ice.

With the Green and White tied atop the NCHC standings with just eight games remaining in the regular season and playing a bitter rival, the timing could not be any better.

Here's what to watch for as UND and Denver battle, in this week's "Who? What? How?" series preview.

Who?

Players to watch

Denver

DU So. F, Danton Heinen
has 6 points (2g, 4a) during
a four-game point streak.

Fr. F, Dylan Gambrell, 7 goals, 19 assists -- 26 points (6th in NCAA in rookie scoring); Jr. F, Trevor Moore, 4g, 20a -- 24 pts; So. F, Danton Heinen, 10g, 10a -- 20 pts; Jr. D, Wil Butcher, 5g, 14a -- 19 pts; Sr. C, Quentin Shore, 8g, 6a -- 14 pts; So. G., Tanner Jaillet, 7-3-5, 2.52 goals against average, .916 save percentage.

UND

Fr. F, Brock Boeser, 18g (2nd in NCAA in rookie goals, T-7 overall in NCAA), 13a -- 31 pts (T-3 in NCAA in rookie scoring); Sr. F, Drake Caggiula, 15g, 15a -- 30 pts, returns this weekend after missing the last four games due to injury; So. F, Nick Schmaltz, 3g, 24a -- 27 pts, returns this weekend after missing the last four games due to injury; Jr. D, Troy Stecher, 5g, 14a -- 19 pts; Sr. F, Bryn Chyzyk, 9g, 8a -- 17 pts; So. G, Cam Johnson, 13-1-1 (1st in NCAA in win percentage), 1.31 GAA (1st in NCAA), .948 SV PCT (1st in NCAA).

What?

Standout Stats

UND So. G, Cam Johnson
leads the NCAA in all
major goalie statistics.

North Dakota can clinch home ice in the fiirst round of the NCHC playoffs with at least three points this weekend or if Omaha loses three points. The Green and White have hosted the first round for 13 straight years, the longest active streak in men's hockey.

UND goalie Cam Johnson has again taken over the statistical lead in all three major netminder categories, .900 win percentage, 1.31 goals against average and .948 save percentage.

Denver sophomore Danton Heinen, last year's NCHC rookie of the year is heating up. The forward has six points (2g, 4a) during a four-game point streak.

UND is allowing just 1.68 goals per game which is second in the NCAA.

North Dakota has the country's 7th best penalty kill at 86.4%. Over the past 12 games, UND leads the conference, with a sterling 95.8% mark, which includes 14 consecutive kills.

Holding the lead after two periods will be important this weekend as both the Pioneers and the Green and White have excelled in that aspect. Denver is 12-0-2 this year when leading after the second stanza and UND is 18-0-2. 

How?

How'd they get here?

No. 2 UND (No.3 in PWR, 22-3-3, 13-2-1-1 -- 41 points, T-1st in NCHC) was off last weekend and swept Western Michigan in Kalamazoo two weekends ago. The Green and White have lost just once, a 4-3 OT decision at home against UNO, since November 21st (10-1-1).

No. 13 Denver (No. 12 in PWR, 13-8-5, 9-5-2-- 29 pts, 3rd in NCHC) was idle last weekend and split at Miami in their last action. The Pioneers are 6-1-1 in their last 8 games.

UND dominated Denver in a 5-1, 4-0 sweep in Grand Forks back in early December. The Green and White outshot the Pioneers 59-41 in the series.

The Pick

As previously noted, the Green and White rolled the Pios in Grand Forks earlier this season leading Denver head coach Jim Montgomery to say that UND was the best team he'd seen all season.

However, since that series in December and a couple more hiccups, Denver has seemingly righted the ship, going 6-1-1 in their last 8 games and no doubt, the Pioneers haven't forgot that drubbing at the hands of the Green and White.

UND and their vaunted CBS line of Drake Caggiula, Brock Boeser and Nick Schmaltz
look to regain their impressive form this weekend against Denver. Caggiula
and Schmaltz have missed the last four games due to injury. (Photo Credit: UND Sports)

Freshman Dylan Gambrell has been impressive this year and grouped with Trevor Moore and Danton Heinen, the trio paces a strong forward corps that will test UND's No. 2 ranked defense this weekend.

While Denver is playing well, the return of the Green and White's CBS line will make the difference this weekend. Despite not playing with his dynamic linemates for the last four games, Brock Boeser has continued a torrid season and DDC expects a healthy Drake Caggiula and Nick Schmaltz to bring UND back to its dominant form.

With a fully-healthy team in front of the NCAA's best statistical goalie, Cam Johnson, DDC believes the Green and White will come out with a renewed jump and take down the Pios this weekend.

UND SWEEPS DENVER, 5-2, 4-2

There you have it. Come back early next week to see if UND regained its top form. Thanks for reading.

Friday Gameday: A Shot at the Top

Hockey fans, we coming down the stretch.

It's hard to believe, but there are just five regular season series left for the UND men's hockey team and this weekend is huge one in the chase for the Penrose Cup as National Collegiate Hockey Conference champions.

The Green and White sit just three points behind first place St. Cloud State coming into this weekend. With the Huskies playing in the North Star College Cup, a four-point series against Western Michigan would put UND all alone a top the conference.

Just like last weekend against Colorado College, the Green and White will be without some vitally important scorers against the Broncos. UND has ruled out Drake Caggiula, Nick Schmaltz and Chris Wilkie for this series and again, it will be up to the depth of North Dakota to be successful.

Here's what DDC is watching for from Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan in this week's "Who? What? How?" series preview.

Who?

Players to watch

WMU Sr. G, Lukas Hafner

Western Michigan

Fr. F, Griffen Molino, 7 goals, 11 assists -- 18 points; Jr. F, Sheldon Dries, 10g, 4a -- 14 pts; Fr. F, Colt Conrad, 5g, 8a -- 13 pts; Sr. F, Nolan LaPorte, 5g, 6a -- 11 pts. Likely to return this weekend after missing the last three games due to injury; Sr. G., Lukas Hafner, 5-9-3, 3.49 goals against average, .901 save percentage.

UND

Sr. F, Drake Caggiula, 15 (T-10th in NCAA), 15a -- 30 pts (T-11th in NCAA) Out this weekend due to injury; So. F, Nick Schmaltz, 3g, 24a (3rd in NCAA) -- 27 pts. Out this weekend due to injury; Fr. F, Brock Boeser, 15g (2nd in NCAA in rookie goals, T-10 overall in NCAA), 12a -- 27 pts (4th in NCAA in rookie scoring); Jr. D, Troy Stecher, 5g, 14a -- 19 pts; Sr. F, Bryn Chyzyk, 9g, 7a -- 16 pts; So. G, Cam Johnson, 11-1-1 (1st in NCAA in win percentage), 1.42 GAA (1st in NCAA), .942 SV PCT (T-2 in NCAA).

What?

UND Jr. G, Cam Johnson

Standout Stats

UND goalie Cam Johnson continues to be near the atop or near the top in the country in all three major statistical categories, .885 win percentage (T-1st), 1.42 goals against average (1st) and .942 save percentage (T-2).

UND is allowing just 1.77 goals per game which is third in the NCAA. Western Michigan is 59th out of 60 in goals allowed with a 3.96 mark.

WMU is last in the country in penalty kill, stopping just 68.8% of their opponents power plays.

The Green and White are 11-0-2 when leading after the first period this season and 17-0-2 when leading after 2. The Broncos are 4-1-0 when leading after 1 and 6-0-0 after 2. 

How?

How'd they get here?

No. 2 UND (20-3-3, 11-2-1-1 -- 35 points, 2nd in NCHC) tied 5-5 and won the shootout for the extra NCHC point on Friday and won 5-1 on Saturday at home against Colorado College. With St. Cloud State playing two non-conference games this weekend, UND has an opportunity to move into first alone with at least four points, against WMU.

Western Michigan (7-14-3, 4-9-1 -- 13 pts, 7th in NCHC) got swept at the hands of St. Cloud State 8-2 and 7-3 in St. Cloud. After sweeping CC in early December, the Broncos have skidded to a 1-4-2 record in their last seven games.

The Pick

While it's again a tall task for UND to be without its top two scorers, the Green and White showed last weekend that it certainly has the ability to score goals. Adding to the lineup frustration, reigning NCHC rookie of the week and the team's third-leading goal scorer, Rhett Gardner is questionable for the series due to illness.

With injuries gripping the UND lineup, Fr. F, Brock Boeser will look to pace
the Green and White offensive attack. (Photo credit: Grand Forks Herald)

Despite the injuries, North Dakota netted 10 goals against Colordo College, en route to a five-point weekend as their defense played sharp on Saturday, allowing just 19 shots against the Tigers. Against a Broncos squad that has had trouble finding the back of the for large portions of the season, the Green and White have a definitive edge in the 'D'-zone.

Sophomore goaltender Cam Johnson had a bit of a rocky weekend against CC, getting pulled in the second period on Friday night, but bounced back admirably on Saturday, while still not looking as crisp as he has throughout the 2015-16 campaign. If Johnson can get back to form and the Green and White continue to play as they have defensively all year, UND has plenty of offense to off-set the losses in the forward group. Look for Troy Stecher and Tucker Poolman to be very active from the blue line against a WMU team that has been leaky for much of this season.

UND SWEEPS IN "THE ZOO" AND VAULTS INTO THE NCHC DRIVER'S SEAT, 4-1, 4-2

Check back early in the week to see how it all went down. Thanks for reading.

Friday Gameday: Battling Tigers and a Bug

DDC wrote in his last column that the UND men's hockey team hasn't faced much in terms of adversity so far this season.

While that was meant in terms of adversaries on the ice, the Green and White could have more than just the Colorado College Tigers to battle Friday and Saturday at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

UND is also battling the injury bug.

With freshman Chris Wilkie already out of the lineup last Saturday night due to injury, the Green and White saw Hobey Baker candidate Drake Caggiula leave the game after finishing a check. Caggiula is doubtful this weekend, said UND head coach Brad Berry at the team's weekly presser. Bad, right?

Well, it gets worse.

Fellow Hobey Baker candidate and CBS linemate, sophomore Nick Schmaltz, sustained an injury during practice this week and could join Wilkie and Caggiula in the stands.

Wilkie aside, UND could be without two players who have racked up 57 points thus far this season and are tied for first in the NCAA in plus/minus. Really bad, right? Again, it gets worse as this doesn't appear to be the same Tigers squad that the Green and White swept back in October.

Besides UND and St. Cloud, can you name the NCHC team with the best record since December 1? You guessed it, Colorado College. During that eight-game span, the line of senior Hunter Fejes and juniors Luc Gerdes and Sam Rothstein have racked up a whopping 26 points, including a sweep against Miami and a win over the NCHC-leading Huskies.

How will it all shake out? DDC has his take in this week's "Who? What? How?" series preview.

Who?

Players to watch

Colorado College
Sr. F, Hunter Fejes

Colorado College

Sr. F, Hunter Fejes, 9 goals, 5 assists -- 14 points; Jr. F, Luc Gerdes, 4g, 9a -- 13 pts; Jr. F, Sam Rothstein, 5g, 7a -- 12 pts; So. D, Teemu Kivihalme, 3g, 9a -- 12 pts; Fr. F, Trey Bradley, 7g, 4a -- 11 pts; Fr. G, Jacob Nehama, 5-10-0, 3.37 goals against average, .905 save percentage.

UND

Sr. F, Drake Caggiula, 15 (T-8 in NCAA), 15a -- 30 pts (9th in NCAA) Likely out this weekend due to shoulder injury; So. F, Nick Schmaltz, 3g, 24a (3rd in NCAA) -- 27 pts; Fr. F, Brock Boeser, 15g (2nd in NCAA in rookie goals, T-8 in NCAA), 10a -- 25 pts (3rd in NCAA in rookie scoring); Jr. D, Troy Stecher, 5g, 14a -- 19 pts; So. D, Tucker Poolman, 3g, 11a -- 14 pts; So. G, Cam Johnson, 10-1-1 (T-1st in NCAA in win percentage), 1.28 GAA (1st in NCAA), .949 SV PCT (1st in NCAA).

What?

Standout Stats

The "CBS line" of Drake Caggiula (+28), Nick Schmaltz (+28) and Brock Boeser (+22) ranks T-1st, T-1st
and T-6th respectively in the NCAA in plus/minus rating.

UND So. G, Cam Johnson

In the past eight games, the Green and White leads the NCHC in both power play (28.1%) and penalty killing (96.9%).

Despite losing for the first time in his college career last Friday night, UND goalie Cam Johnson continues to lead the country in all three major statistical categories, .875 win percentage (T-1st), 1.28 goals againstaverage and .949 save percentage.

UND is allowing just 1.67 goals per game which is third in the NCAA.

Colorado College ranks near the bottom in the NCAA in both goals per game and goals against per game, ranking 55th out of 60 (2.05) and 52nd out of 60 (3.59) respectively. 

How?

How'd they get here?

No. 2 UND (19-3-2, 10-1-1 -- 30 pts, 2nd in NCHC) split at home against Nebraska Omaha, 4-3 OT and 5-1 last weekend.

Colorado College (5-17-0, 3-9 -- 9 pts, 7th in NCHC) was idle last weekend, but earned a split at St. Cloud two weeks ago, falling 2-1 on Friday and winning 5-2 on Saturday.

The Green and White swept the Tigers 5-2, 2-0 on October 30-31 in Colorado Springs.

The Pick 

Lack of scoring depth has been a bit of a problem so far this season for UND. Outside of the CBS line, the rest of the forwards in Green and White have notched just 36 goals in 24 games. With the injuries mounting, UND will need scoring depth.

Brock Boeser could be the only remaining member of the top line and while the freshman is in the midst of a seven-game goal scoring streak, frankly put, he can't do it alone.

With the forward grouping potentially depleted, a heavy onus is set on UND's blue liners. This is where DDC thinks the weekend will be made.

With injuries mounting, UND will rely on a talented blue line group, lead by
junior Troy Stecher, who is fourth on the team in points with 19 (5g, 14a).
(Photo credit: The Gazette in Colorado Springs)

The Green and White D corps paces the third-best defense in the NCAA in terms of goals allowed at 1.67 per game and has notched 66 points this season. Couple that with Cam Johnson, who is leading the country in every major goaltending stat, UND has the ability to lock teams down.

Fejes, Gerdes and Rothstein will be of a major concern for the Green and White, but the defense will carry the load this weekend.

UND SWEEPS, 3-1, 4-3

There you have it. Come back later to see if DDC's call is right. Thanks for reading.

Friday Gameday: New Name, Same Game

It's certainly been an interesting week for the UND men's hockey team.

A decades long battle to officially replace the beloved Fighting Sioux nickname came to an end on Wednesday as the UND brass announced Fighting Hawks as the newly chosen moniker.

DDC isn't quite ready to transition and will refrain from doing so until he shakes his jitters of replacing an icon that's close to his heart.

For North Dakota, unfortunately, they do not have the luxury of waiting. We are... Fighting Hawks.

In all reality, nothing has changed for the Green and White and business is at hand. Despite all the nickname hoopla, UND has it's hands full this Friday and Saturday night as they travel to St. Cloud and the Herb Brooks Arena to take on their long-time rival, the St. Cloud State Huskies.

These two teams know each other very well.

Dubbed "The no-sweep series" by DDC's friend, former colleague and the best college hockey writer in the biz, Brad Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald, the stats are flat out insane. Since the 2001-02 season, UND and SCSU have played at least one two-game series. None of those series have resulted in a sweep for either team. In another oddity, during a 10-year span from 2002-03 to the 2012-13 season, the Green and White went 0-8-2 on Friday night and 10-0 on Saturday. Can any of that change this weekend?

The Huskies topped UND in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff semis 3-1 last season, but, just eight days later, the Green and White earned the biggest win between the two, beating SCSU 4-1 in the Western Regional Final in Fargo, to advance to the Frozen Four.

First place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference is on the line this weekend and here's what to watch for in DDC's "Who? What? How?" series breakdown.

Who?

Players to watch

SCSU Sr. F, Joey Benik

SCSU

So. F, Patrick Russell, 6 goals, 6 assists -- 12 points; Sr. F, Kalle Kossila, 2g, 10a -- 12 pts; Sr. F, Joey Benik, 7g, 3a -- 10 pts; So. F, Judd Peterson, 6g, 3a -- 9 pts; Jr. G, Charlie Lindgren, 7-2-0, 1.49 goals against average (6th in the NCAA), .944 save percentage (7th in the NCAA).

UND

Sr. F, Drake Caggiula, 4g, 9a -- 13 pts; So. F, Nick Schmaltz, 2g, 11a -- 13 pts; Fr. F, Brock Boeser, 7g, 5a -- 12 pts; Sr. F, Bryn Chyzyk, 6g, 3a -- 9 pts; Jr. D, Troy Stecher, 2g, 7a -- 9 pts; Jr. G, Matt Hrynkiw, 8-1-1, 1.81 GAA (10th in NCAA), .920 SV PCT.

What?

Standout Stats

UND leads the country in shots allowed, giving up just 22.25 shots per game. On the offensive end, the Green and White also lead the country in shot margin with a +176.

The "CBS line" of Drake Caggiula (+16), Nick Schmaltz (+15) and Brock Boeser (+13) ranks 1st, 2nd and 4th respectively in the NCAA in plus/minus rating.

St. Cloud State is 6th in the NCAA in goals per game with a whopping 4.10 mark. UND isn't far behind, scoring 3.58 goals per game. Defensively, the Huskies are third in the NCAA in goals allowed, averaging just 1.50 goals against. Again, the Green and White are not far behind with a 7th-best NCAA mark of 1.83 goals against per game.

UND topped SCSU 4-1 last March in the West Regional Final in Fargo
to advance to the Frozen Four. (Photo credit: St. Cloud Times)

How?

How'd they get here?

This weekend's series in St. Cloud is a match up of the top two teams in the NCHC and two top 10 teams in the national rankings.

No. 3 UND (9-1-2, 4-0-0-0 NCHC) swept Miami last weekend 6-2 and 4-3 in OT.

No. 7 St. Cloud State (8-2-0, 4-0-0-0 NCHC) is on a four-game winning streak including a sweep against Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, Mich., 5-2 on Friday and a whopping 11-1 on Saturday. The 11-goal explosion set a NCHC record for goals in a game.

The Pick

It's time for DDC to, for the first time publicly, embrace something he's avoided for the duration of his time writing this blog.

For far too long, DDC has hidden behind a facade, a smokescreen, a masquerade. After years of non-biased nonsense, it's time to admit it.

I am DDC and I am a homer.

Man, that felt good.

The history, the statistics, the rivalry all scream split, but DDC won't hide anymore.

Let's get this straight. Both of these teams are very good. This series will be tight. Both teams are solid defensively and can flat out light the lamp, but DDC feels this Green and White squad has that killer instinct and that was evident last Saturday against Miami.

UND dominated the RedHawks throughout, but trailed 3-2 with time ticking down in the third. Then, the killer instinct, the dynamic, cold-blooded, game-breaking scoring ability took over and North Dakota got it done.

It's time for the Green and White to shake off a week to forget and exercise the "No-sweep series" demons.

This is a statement series for both teams that could go a long way towards a Penrose Cup title. DDC thinks UND makes the statement this weekend and, for the first time in 17 years ... sweeps the Huskies in St. Cloud.

UND SWEEPS, 4-3, 4-2

Come back after the series and see if the homer call held up. Thanks for reading.

Friday Gameday: A Special Start

Expectations are always high in Grand Forks when talking about the UND men's hockey team.

Coming into the 2015-16 campaign, on the heels of their second-consecutive Frozen Four appearance, expectations were high once again, but many questions loomed.

The Green and White were replacing seven seniors, all of which who had carved deep roles in the UND program, with 11 freshmen. The team lost two more to the professional ranks, one being Mike Richter award-winning goalie Zane McIntyre. And most importantly, UND came into this season with a new head coach as Brad Berry took over for long-time bench boss Dave Hakstol, who left to coach the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers.

Then came the injuries.

With third-round draft pick Matej Tomek already out with a nagging, off-season injury, UND lost starting goaltender Cam Johnson to a leg injury, vaulting third-string goalie Matt Hyrnkiw, who had not played a single second in the college game, to starter. Senior forward Colten St. Clair, freshmen Shane Gersich and Joel Janatuinen also added to UND's growing injury list.

Sounds like a recipe for a disastrous start, right?

Well, through six non-conference games, the No. 1 Green and White are unblemished and have answered all the questions.

UND looks to continue its special start this weekend as they travel to Colorado Springs to take on the Colorado College Tigers in their first National Collegiate Hockey Conference series of the year, Friday and Saturday night.

Here's what to look for this weekend from World Arena in DDC's weekly "Who? What? How?" series preview.

Who?

Players to Watch

Colorado College:

Colorado College Sr. F,
Cody Bradley

Fr. F, Trey Bradley 3 goals, 1 assist -- 4 points; Sr. F, Cody Bradley 1g, 1a -- 2pts (leading returning scorer from 2014-15); Sr. F, Hunter Fejes 1g (second leading returning scorer from 2014-15); Fr. G, Jacob Nehama, 0-4-0, 3.95 goals against average, .904 save percentage; Jr. G, Tyler Marble, 0-2-0, 3.44 GAA, .877 SV PCT.

UND:

Sr. F, Drake Caggiula 2g, 6a -- 8pts; Sr. F, Bryn Chyzyk 5g, 1a -- 6pts; Fr. F, Brock Boeser 4g, 2a -- 6pts; Jr. D, Troy Stecher 2g, 4a -- 6pts; Jr. G, Matt Hrynkiw 3-0-1, 1.76 GAA, .933 SV PCT.

What?

Standout Stats

For the first time since 2002, UND is undefeated through six games (4-0-2). With a sweep this weekend, the Green and White would be unbeaten through eight games for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, the last time UND won a national championship.

UND has won 10 out of the last 11 against Colorado College, including a sweep last season in Colorado.

Matt Hrynkiw's 1.76 goals against average and .933 save percentage ranks him 16th and 13th in the country, respectively.

Colorado College's 1.50 goals per game scoring places them 52 out of 54 in the country.

UND Fr. F, Brock Boeser has lived up to his first-round NHL draft pick billing
so far this season. The Burnsville, Minn. native has been a spark plug so far
this season, coming into this weekend with 4 goals and 2 assists on the year.

How?

How'd they get here?

No. 1 UND is unbeaten on the season at 4-0-2 and is coming off a sweep of Vermont in Burlington last weekend, 2-0, 5-2.

Colorado College is 0-6 early on in the year and was blanked in back-to-back losses last weekend 3-0 and 5-0 at Boston College.

This is the first NCHC series for both teams.

The Pick

UND Jr. G, Matt Hrynkiw

Entering the 2015-16 season, UND looked to be a team that would be led by a stellar defensive corps, returning five regulars to the lineup from last season, but would struggle a bit early on to find goals.

While the defensemen have certainly done their job, carrying a NCAA seventh-best goals per game against average of just 1.5 goals per game, the story has been the offense. Sporting the 14th best scoring attack (3.67 goals per game) in the country, UND has peppered opponents with shots, ranking fourth in the NCAA in shots per game with 38.

On the other side of the ice, Colorado College has struggled, scoring just 1.5 goals per game.

Simply put, The Tigers don't look to have the offensive guns to keep pace this weekend against UND. DDC thinks Hyrnkiw and the defense in front of him will do enough and the goals keep coming for the Green and White.

UND SWEEPS, 5-1, 4-2

Check back after this weekend to see if UND stayed unbeaten in Colorado.