Friday Gameday: Penrose Champs Until We Ain't

One of the NCHC's most-storied rivalries renews this weekend in Grand Forks 
as Denver travels to take on UND. Photo Credit: GF Herald.

Welcome to November and welcome, in earnest, to the start of our University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks' defense as the back-to-back Penrose Cup champions. The rest of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference has to chase down the green and white if they plan on taking the cup as regular season champions and that chase begins this weekend as hated rival Denver travels to Grand Forks for a two-game series.

UND, ranked No. 8/10 this week, hasn't had a terrific start to the season going just 4-3 in their first seven games including a last week's disappointing loss to Penn State in Nashville, but DDC believes that reigniting the rivalry with the Pios could certainly be a catalyst for the Hawks as conference play kicks off.

DU, ranked No. 11/13, has had a solid 4-2 start to their campaign and is led by a dominant first line of sophomore Carter Savoie, junior Bobby Brink, and senior Cole Guttman. The trio has tallied a whopping 30 points in the Pioneers' six games. 

As UND fans, we all well know what these battles are all about overall and what it means this weekend. Here's what to look for in DDC's weekly "Who? What? How" series preview as NCHC play begins as one of the conference's most bitter rivalries renews inside Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Who?

Players to Watch

University of Denver Pioneers

So. F., Carter Savoie, 6 goals, 6 assists -- 12 points; Sr. F., Cole Guttman, 3g, 6a -- 9pts; Jr. F., Bobby Brink, 3g, 6a -- 9pts; Fr. F., Massimo Rizzo, 5g, 3a -- 8 pts; Jr. G., 3-1-0, 3.12 GAA average, .868 sv%; Fr. G., Matt Davis, 1-1-0, 2.36 GAA, .911 sv%

University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks

So. F., Riese Gaber, 3 goals, 6 assists -- 9 points; So. D., Jake Sanderson, 3g, 5a -- 8pts; Fr. F., Jake Schmaltz, 4g, 4a -- 8pts; Jr. F., Ashton Calder, 4g, 3a -- 7pts; Jr. F., Judd Caulfield, 3g, 3a -- 6pts; Sr. G., Zach Driscoll, 4-3-0, 2.74 GAA, .890 sv%

What?

Standout Stats and Notes

Denver

DU So. Carter Savoie

Denver's top line of Brink (No. 3, +9), Savoie (t-No.8, +8), and Guttman (t-No.8, +8) all rank near the top nationally in plus/minus rating.

Savoie's 6 goals is tied for sixth in the NCAA and his 12 points has him tied for 9th. He is also second in the NCAA with 34 shots on goal.

DU's penalty kill has been a struggle this year with a paltry 59.3% kill rate on the year, 56th out of 59 in NCAA, but their 27.6% power play is 12th in the country. 

Former UND commit, freshman Massimo Rizzo has had a hot start in his first year in college hockey with five goals on the season.

UND

The Fighting Hawks' power play has been solid so far this season, scoring at a 30.8% clip, good for No. 4 in the NCAA. Their 81.3% penalty kill is 28th.

This weekend marks games number 301 and 302 in the long-storied history of UND versus Denver. Those 302 games is the most played against any opponent in the team's history.

UND lost a 6-4 tilt to Penn State last weekend, dropping just their fourth game since 2018 when scoring at least 4 goals. The Hawks are 44-4-2 in that span when scoring four.

How?

How'd they get here?

The Pioneer's last action came two weekends ago when they dropped two games on the east coast, one to Providence College 6-5 and the next night to Boston College, 5-1. Denver (4-2-0) was 4-0 to start the season prior to those back-to-back losses.

UND (4-3-0) returns home after a stinging 6-4 loss to Penn State last Saturday in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Nashville. After starting the season with three-straight wins, the Fighting Hawks have lost three of their last four. 

Both teams are playing their first NCHC action of the season and this will be the only series between the two teams this year. 

Oh, the memories. Photo credit: Sports Illustrated

The Pick

Ahhhh. Good ol' Denver. The memories are endless and the hatred is real. Nick Schmaltz, Robbie Bina, Jesse Martin, Brad Malone, Peter Maninno, and so on, and so on, and so on... To say these teams know each other well is an incredible understatement.

These are always fun, but DDC is nervous for this weekend. These nerves come from two things -- DU's 5 goal a game scoring clip and UND's lack of team scoring and cohesion so far this season. The Green and White lack depth scoring and playing against a team like the Pioneers who is scoring in bunches, DDC fears a shootout, run-and-gun type series. With all of that said, UND's weekend split against Quinnipiac, particularly in their Saturday night win, gives DDC confidence that the Hawks can slow down a solid offensive team. Containing the top line of Brink, Savoie, and Guttman will obviously be the key. These three men have had a dominant start, so UND must find a way to make other players on the ice score goals against them. 

One of those other players, former UND recruit, freshman Massimo Rizzo has shown the ability to pot goals, so this will need to be a defensive performance for the Hawks this weekend. If they can hold the fort like they did against QU, they will be fine this weekend. 

Chemistry, flow, and team gelling has been the bugaboo for UND so far as the development of these pieces just hasn't gotten there. Skating at home, kicking off the NCHC schedule, against a massive rival, there's no better time for this to happen then in this series. DDC is picking a split.

UND takes one Friday, 4-2 and DU rebounds for Splitsville on Saturday, 5-3.

As always, thanks for the read! Check back early next week for DDC's look at how it all went down from the Ralph.

Friday Gameday: 8 > 0.6

April 10, 2014.

It's a date that DDC, and many fans of the UND men's hockey team and the Minnesota Gophers, will never forget -- albeit for opposite reasons.

If that date doesn't ring a bell, this probably will:

0.6.

Remember? Sorry. DDC just threw up in his mouth a little bit. Ok, he's better.

It has been over two years since the Green and White and the Maroon and Gold have met on the ice, but for fans and players alike, that sure won't diminish the hostility as No. 3 UND and No. 13 Minnesota faceoff in a non-conference series from Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis Friday and Saturday.

While the programs and fanbases sure know each other well, the two teams really do not. Just two players from the epic Frozen Four semifinal game in 2014 remain on UND's 2016-17 squad -- Seniors Gage Ausmus and Matt Hrynkiw -- and neither played in that matchup. On the other side of the ice, just four on the Gophers were there -- Justin Kloos, Taylor Cammarata, Vinni Lettieri and Connor Reilly. None of those four registered a point or penalty.

Unfamiliarity aside, there's no doubt this rivalry survives a couple years without playing. Make no mistake, these two teams want to win these games for multiple reasons, bragging rights included.

"It's on our walls all over the rink, UND head coach Brad Berry said to the media on Wednesday. "We haven't played them in a few years, but the history and the tradition resonate through this building and out program."

In a testament to that tradition, former Fighting Sioux greats and teammates T.J. Oshie and Taylor Chorney and current teammates of the Washington Capitals, drove six hours round trip to Grand Forks to speak to the Green and White about the importance of this rivalry during a day off in preparation for a game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Read about that story from the Grand Forks Herald's Brad Schlossman here:

http://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/4150871-no-und-players-have-ever-played-against-minnesota-they-are-reminded

This week's Through These Doors also includes comments from Chorney and Oshie, talking about this UND program and touches on the rivalry renewed.

While Minnesota's heart-wrenching goal was a true moment in this rivalry, UND has the chip that ultimately holds most importance -- the national title. For two programs that pride themselves on winning and tradition, this truly matters most.

Sorry, Gopher fans. As we've said for the longest time and now have added to it, 8 > 5. Taking it one step further, 8 really is > than 0.6. Don't deny it.

All rivalry gusto aside, these are two games that both of these squads want to win. UND got spanked last weekend in Duluth and needs to get back on track. Minnesota has started off the season well and wants a sweep against their bitter rival before they head into Big 10 play. As it always is, this weekend will be a fun one to watch.

Here's what to watch for as The Rivalry renews in DDC's "Who? What? How?" series preview.

Who?

Players to Watch

Sr. F, Justin Kloos
captains the No. 13 ranked
Minnesota Gophers

Minnesota

So. F, Tyler Sheehy, 3 goals, 5 assists -- 8 points; Jr. F, Leon Bristedt, 3g, 4a -- 7 pts; Sr. D, Jake Bischoff, 2g, 4a -- 6 pts; Sr. F, Justin Kloos, 2g, 3a -- 5 pts; Jr. F, Mike Szmatula 3g, 3a -- 6 pts; So. G, Eric Schierhorn, 3-2-1, 2.78 goals against average, .890 save percentage.

UND

So. F, Brock Boeser, 6g (T-6th in NCAA), 6a -- 12 pts (T-5th in NCAA); So. F, Shane Gersich, 4g, 6a -- 10 pts; Fr. F, Tyson Jost -- 2g, 5a -- 7 pts; Jr. D, Tucker Poolman, 1g, 5a -- 6 pts; So. F, Joel Janatuinen, 3g, 2a -- 5 pts; Jr. F, Austin Poganski, 2g, 2a -- 4 pts; Jr. G, Cam Johnson, 5-2-0, 2.31 GAA, .894 SV PCT.

What?

Standout Stats

Minnesota

The Gophers come into this weekend's series 12th in the NCAA in power play (20.8%)  but are just 43rd in penalty kill (80.6%).

Minnesota is No. 5 in the country in goals score per game with 4.17 and tied for 23rd in goals allowed at 2.83 goals per game.

Gophers Head Coach Don Lucia is one win away from his 700th career win. He would become just the seventh coach in NCAA history to reach that mark.

UND

The Green and White have struggled on special teams this year, slotting themselves tied for 32nd on the penalty kill (83.3%) and 40th in power play (13.5%) in the NCAA.

Despite giving up 63 shots on goal last weekend to Minnesota Duluth, UND still leads the NCAA in lowest shots on goal allowed with 21.71 shots per game and is eighth in putting shots on goal at 34.71.

UND sits at 3.57 goals per game and 2.43 goals allowed, which puts them tied for 16th and tied for 19th respectively.

How?

How'd they get here?

No. 1 UND (5-2-0) got swept for just the third time in 88 regular-season series last weekend in Duluth. The Bulldogs swept the Green and White for the first time since 1995 and first time since 1992 in Duluth.

UND is 3-6-1 in the last 10 against Minnesota after going 6-2-2 in the previous 10. UND hasn't beat Minnesota since the "Timeout" game in the WCHA Final Five Semifinals on March 16, 2012. Just in case you don't remember that one...

No. 13 Minnesota (3-2-1) got a win and a tie in two overtime contests out east. The Gophers trailed Clarkson 3-0 on Friday night, but stormed back and won in OT 4-3. On Saturday, Mike Szmatula scored with just 23 seconds left to lead Minnesota to a 2-2 tie.

The Pick

This rivalry produced DDC's favorite college hockey picture
of all time -- Matt Frattin's demolition of Kevin Wehrs in 2010.
(Photo: The great John Stennes, Grand Forks Herald)

Boy, this one is hard. Everything in DDC's homer blood wants to pick a sweep, expecting the Green and White to roll into Mariucci with a chip on its shoulder and dominate Minnesota. However, UND is coming off a weekend in Duluth in which they were beaten handily and it looked like they weren't ready for a big stage. And simply put, this is a very, very big stage. 

DDC had a conversation on Thursday with his father, Papa DDC, and the thought came up -- "Which team in Green and White will show up in Minneapolis?" Is it the team that played tenacious defense and held its opponents to very few shots and only a few Grade A chances per game in a 5-0 start or the team that got wholly blown out of AmsOil Arena and showed its youth in front of a hostile crowd last weekend in Duluth?

Much like UND, Minnesota has game-breaking skill in players like Justin Kloos and Tyler Sheehy. Also like UND, the Gophers seem to be a little leaky on the blue line and prefer to play an up-tempo game that features their skill and speed while doing their best to not let their opponent grind out games. 

One difference hasn't been expressed, thus far and that's the Olympic-sized ice sheet in Mariucci Arena. Minnesota has always been terrific using this extra space on the power play and they are going pretty strong with the extra man, so far. Slowing Minnesota's chances with the extra man, being responsible in the zone and clearing rebounds, will go a long way for UND taking points in Minneapolis. 

So, what's the game breaker this weekend? Minnesota isn't as solid defensively as Minnesota Duluth was last weekend and the Green and White must take advantage of this. Brock Boeser was held without a point last weekend and with the extra space on the Olympic ice and playing against a defense who isn't as strong, Boeser needs to produce. This extends to the blue line, as well. DDC foresees Tucker Poolman and Christian Wolanin, UND's best two playmaking defenseman, having opportunities to make plays. If big-bodied players like Rhett Gardner and Austin Poganski can take away the eyes of Minnesota's solid netminder, Eric Shierhorn, Poolman and Wolanin can go to work.

While these two teams don't know each other very well, the programs do. UND and Minnesota are very aware of what this series means to their fanbases and this will be a fun series to watch. DDC was in the house for UND's destruction of Minnesota in a 5-3, 7-3 sweep in 2007 featuring one of DDC's favorite all-time plays in "The Rivalry" -- Robbie Bina's full-length goal. Just for funsies, let's see that one again. 

Sorry, not sorry. DDC had to.

This was the last time UND swept Minnesota in Mariucci Arena. Again, everything in DDC's homer body wants to pick a sweep, but it's just too hard to do with last week looming over UND's head. However, with this adversity, you can take a bit of the homer out of the DDC, but you certainly cannot take all of it. The Green and White, after learning how to play in big stage last week in Duluth, doesn't lose in Mariucci, this weekend. DDC will be in the house on Friday, so he goes with a win there.

UND GETS A WIN AND A TIE, SHOWING THAT 8 IS TRULY > THAN 0.6, 5-2, 3-3

There it is. It's exciting to this blogger that The Rivalry is back starting this weekend for the next seven year. This is a series that college hockey world needs to see every year and DDC is pumped that it's back. Check back later to see how it all went down. 

Just because he can, here's some of DDC's favorite moments from the best rivalry in college hockey. Hopefully this gets you all in the mood for some great hockey.

Thanks for reading!

DDC's Top 10 Moments in the UND/Minnesota Rivalry -- No. 4 -- "A Bouncing Puck for a Goal!" -- Mariucci Arena, Minneapolis, January 27, 2007.

Thanks for coming back to DDC's Top 10 moments in the UND/Minnesota rivalry.

No. 4 is very near and dear to DDC's heart as it piggy backed one of his favorite weekends his college career.

After a comeback 5-3 win on Friday night on the heels of a two-goal night by Ryan Duncan, UND had a chance for the sweep.

However, after a 2-0 lead under eight minutes into the game, Minnesota rattled off three straight to take a 3-2 lead after a Mike Howe power play goal at 15:58 of the first.

Then, it happened.

Full disclaimer here: DDC did not actually witness this play as it occurred, due to an argument with a jawing Gopher fan, but he was in house with 10 or so of his fraternity brothers.

No. 4 -- "A Bouncing Puck for a Goal!" -- Mariucci Arena, Minneapolis, January 27, 2007.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXMnye_8wfg

Bina's 178-foot shorthanded goal through the wickets of Gopher goalie Jeff Frazee knotted the game at three and set the tone for a 7-3 rout and a sweep at Mariucci for the Sioux.

As the clock ticked to zero and the Gopher student section emptied out, DDC's group of friends made the bold move of sitting in the vacated seats. Water bottles, pretzels, etc., showered down on these brave Sioux fans, but the memory was well worth it.

"A bouncing puck for a goal."

Frank Mazzacco's call for FSN still replays in many Sioux fans, and more than likely, many Gopher fans heads every time they see a bouncing clear near the goal. DDC still to this day says "Robbie Bina" every time a goaltender has to play a puck like this.

Well, hockey fans, we're down to the Top 3. Come back tomorrow for No. 3 to remember that left Minnesota fans green with envy.