Monthly Archives: February 2011

Poll time

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UND maintained its No. 1 ranking in both national polls and the INCH power rankings, but stayed second in the Pairwise Rankings. This week’s polls:

Pairwise Rankings

1. Yale
2. North Dakota
3. Boston College
4. Michigan
5. Denver
6. Union
7. Merrimack
8. Nebraska Omaha
9. Notre Dame
10. Miami
11. Minnesota Duluth
12. New Hampshire
13. RPI
14. Colorado College
15. Boston University
16. Maine
17. Dartmouth
18. Western Michigan
19. Minnesota
20. St. Cloud State
21. Wisconsin
22. Ferris State
23. Alaska
24. MSU-Mankato
25. Princeton

USCHO poll

 1 North Dakota        (42)  24- 8-3   989     1
 2 Boston College      ( 6)  24- 7-1   948     2
 3 Yale                ( 1)  23- 5-1   887     3
 4 Union               ( 1)  25- 7-4   837     5
 5 Denver                    20- 9-5   726     6
 5 Michigan                  23- 9-4   726    10
 7 New Hampshire             19- 7-6   659     9
 8 Miami                     19- 9-6   628    11
 9 Merrimack                 21- 7-4   620     4
10 Notre Dame                21-10-5   608     8
11 Minnesota-Duluth          19- 8-6   569     7
12 Nebraska-Omaha            20-12-2   457    12
13 Boston University         17- 9-8   365    15
14 Maine                     16-10-6   342    16
15 Western Michigan          16-10-10  248    17
16 Rensselaer                19-10-5   227    14
17 Colorado College          18-15-3   182    19
18 Wisconsin                 19-13-4   177    13
19 Minnesota                 15-12-5   148    20
20 Dartmouth                 16-10-3   114    18

USA Today poll

1University of North Dakota, 505 (30)124-8-321
2Boston College, 473 (4)224-7-121
3Yale University, 432323-5-121
4Union College, 401525-7-418
5University of Michigan, 3331023-9-421
6University of Denver, 331620-9-521
7Merrimack College, 264421-7-48
8University of New Hampshire, 263919-7-621
9University of Notre Dame, 253821-10-518
10Miami University, 2471119-9-621
11University of Minnesota Duluth, 214719-8-621
12University of Nebraska Omaha, 1531220-12-217
13Boston University, 741517-9-818
14University of Maine, 53NR16-10-618
15Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 371319-10-513

INCH power rankings

1. North Dakota
2. Boston College
3. Union
4. Yale
5. Miami
6. New Hampshire
7. Merrimack
8. Michigan
9. Denver
10. Notre Dame
11. Minnesota Duluth
12. Nebraska Omaha
13. Boston University
14. Western Michigan
15. RPI
16. Minnesota
17. Wisconsin
18. Maine
19. Colorado College
20. Dartmouth

Women’s Pairwise Rankings

1. Wisconsin
2. Cornell
3. Boston University
4. Minnesota
5t. Mercyhurst
5t. Minnesota Duluth
7. Boston College
8t. North Dakota
8t. Dartmouth
10. Harvard
11. Providence
12. Quinnipiac

Women’s USCHO poll

 1 Wisconsin           (15)  32-2-2   150     1
 2 Cornell                   28-2-1   133     2
 3 Minnesota                 25-8-2   106     3
 4 Mercyhurst                27-5-0   105     4
 5 Boston University         25-5-4    95     5
 6 Minnesota-Duluth          22-7-3    85     6
 7 Boston College            21-6-6    58     7
 8 North Dakota             20-12-3    44     8
 9 Dartmouth                21-10-0    24     9
10 Providence               22-11-1    22    10

Sunday afternoon rewind

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Get ready for a lot of Michigan Tech. UND will play the Huskies at least the next four games after clinching the No. 1 seed for the WCHA playoffs and at least a share of the MacNaughton Cup. Game stories:

Grand Forks Herald

Bemidji Pioneer

FightingSioux.com

USCHO

Dakota Student

Other notes:

  • UND has made the coaches and media look good. For the second straight year, we correctly picked the league champion before the season.
  • If UND sweeps Michigan Tech next weekend, it will finish with 43 points. No WCHA team in the last decade has finished with more than that. The last to eclipse 43 points is Wisconsin in 1999-2000 (46).
  • The celebration with the MacNaughton Cup is being planned for after the first-round series, just as it was two years ago when UND won it in Kohl Center.
  • The biggest concern has to be of the health of Carter Rowney, who was a big part of his line’s success this weekend. He left midway through the game and didn’t return. There was no immediate update after the game. Whatever the injury is, the Sioux aren’t in a position where they need to rush him back.
  • Matt Frattin continued his torrid goal-scoring pace. He’s at 27 now — only four shy of what Ryan Duncan did in his Hobey season. Frattin ranks second nationally behind Niagara’s Paul Zanette (29).
  • Corban Knight continues to play extremely well. Florida’s director of player development was in the house for the series. He had to like what he saw. FSN Florida also was there doing stories.
  • Jason Gregoire is on fire with 17 points in the last 10 games. Ever since returning from his injury, he has been playing at an extremely high level. Gregoire has locked up a spot on my all-WCHA ballot.
  • Once again, Bemidji State doesn’t get enough from their second, third and fourth lines. The top line was dangerous throughout, but the Beavers aren’t going anywhere without getting more production out of those other lines. The “other lines” had one goal this weekend and not many scoring chances.
  • The Beavers have wins against just about every WCHA team, but they have not been able to get over the UND hurdle. UND is 14-0-1 against the Beavers in the modern era.
  • The Sioux rank first in the WCHA in offense. This is shaping up to be the sixth straight year that UND has finished first or second in the league in offense.
  • UND ranks second in the country in fewest shots allowed per game with 24.03. Miami is first with 23.44.

Women’s rewind

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Years ago, Monique Lamoureux-Kolls learned to skate during open hours at Purpur Arena.

Do you think she ever imagined that one day, there would be a Sioux women’s hockey team, she would be wearing the crest in that same arena, scoring an end-to-end overtime goal in a decisive Game 3 of a playoff series to lift the program to its biggest win ever?

I don’t know if anyone could dream that one up. But, that’s what happened Sunday night. Game stories:

Grand Forks Herald

FightingSioux.com

Videos of the goals

Other notes:

  • Jocelyne Lamoureux was badly injured and wasn’t expected to play two hours before gametime. But, she convinced the training staff to let her go and she logged a lot of minutes. Read the Herald game story to see Brian Idalski’s comments on what Lamoureux pulled off Sunday night.
  • We had 1,200 people log in to the live chat for Game 3. Strangely enough, that was more than were in the building. It also was more than we had for either men’s live chat this weekend.
  • The fans were standing for much of the overtime in Purpur Arena. There was a lot of action both ways, lots of scoring chances and drama. The fans erupted pretty good when MLK slipped the winner in the net.
  • It was a rare two-point night for goalie Steph Ney. She can thank Monique for those points. And Monique can thank Ney for several great saves during a Beaver power play in OT that was set up by a Monique cross-checking penalty.
  • There was a feeling in the press box for a while that Holly Perkins would score the game-winner. She made several poised plays in overtime that led to scoring chances.
  • UND’s top defensemen logged a ton of minutes. The Sioux definitely could have used Jordan Slavin, who is out with a lower-body injury. It is unknown if Slavin will be able to return this season. If not, that would be a big blow. She’s been one of the WCHA’s top offensive defensemen.
  • UND right now is tied with Dartmouth for the pivotal eighth spot in the Pairwise. As long as there are no upsets in Hockey East, and as long as Cornell wins the ECAC, it will come down to those two for that final spot in the NCAAs. It will be interesting to see what the commitee does.
  • The Sioux will take on the Badgers for a fifth time this season at 4:07 p.m. Friday in Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.

Women’s gameday: UND 3, Bemidji St. 2, OT

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TO ENTER THE LIVE CHAT, click here. For mobile users, click here.

First period

No scoring.

Second period

Bemidji State 1, UND 0 — Marlee Wheelhouse (Sadie Lundquist, Emily Erickson) 1:06. The Beavers skated on a 2-on-1 and Lundquist tried to slide it across the crease to Erickson, but her pass was blocked down. She was able to gather it and hit the trailer for a goal.

Bemidji State 1, UND 1 — Mary Loken (Monique Lamouruex-Kolls, Steph Ney) 5:36 (pp). Monique skates coast to coast and gets a nice shot off. Loken finds the rebound.

UND 2, Bemidji State 1 — Jocelyne Lamoureux (Alyssa Wiebe) 9:54. Wiebe threw the puck in front of the net and Jocelyne found it and knocked it in with her backhand.

UND 2, Bemidji State 2 — Sadie Lundquist (Kim Lieder) 15:05. Lieder carried the puck from end to end and tried a slap shot. Ney made the stop, but Lundquist crashed the net and found the rebound.

Third period

No scoring.

Overtime

UND 3, Bemidji State 2 — Monique Lamoureux-Kolls (Stephanie Ney) 16:00. Monique picked up the puck behind the net and skated through the whole BSU team going coast-to-coast and scoring on a move on top of the crease.

UND’s lines

13 Alyssa Wiebe–17 Jocelyne Lamoureux–6 Allison Parizek
21 Kelsey Ketcher–22 Sara Dagenais–39 Steph Roy
5 Holly Perkins–2 Mary Loken–15 Megan Gilbert
19 Margot Miller

32 Candace Molle–18 Monique Lamoureux-Kolls
9 Kayla Berg–12 Ashley Holmes
91 Ashley Furia–3 Madison Kolls

29 Steph Ney
30 Jorid Dagfinrud

Bemidji State’s lines

13 Erin Cody–3 Abby Williams–10 Emily Erickson
8 Erin Johnson–17 Sadie Lundquist–9 Annie Bauerfeld
59 Danielle Williams–16 MacKenzie Thurston–22 Lauren Williams
23 Molly Arola–92 Emily McKnight–19 Tess Dusik

25 Montana Vichorek–29 Kim Lieder
15 Marlee Wheelhouse–14 Erika Wheelhouse
28 Allie Duellman–24 Alex Ehlert

88 Zuzana Tomcikova
31 Alana McElhinney
35 Jessica Havel

Gameday final: UND 5, Bemidji State 1

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TO ENTER THE LIVE CHAT, click here. For mobile users, click here.

Today’s TV: Midcontinent 322, FSSN, Midco Sports Network, FCS Atlantic, DirecTV 617.

First period

Bemidji State 1, UND 0 — Jordan George (Matt Read, Brad Hunt) 7:06 (pp). George snaps a shot from the right circle that appeared to hit Forbort and go in the corner of the net.

Second period

Bemidji State 1, UND 1 — Brad Malone (Matt Frattin, Dillon Simpson) 3:43 (pp). Frattin’s point shot goes off of Malone’s body and in to tie the game. It’s Frattin’s 100th career point.

UND 2, Bemidji State 1 – Jake Marto (Corban Knight, Aaron Dell) 11:14 (pp). Marto starts the play, dancing around a Beaver forechecker in the neutral zone before giving it off to Knight. Knight dishes it right back to Marto, who roofs a backhand from in tight.

UND 3, Bemidji State 1 — Matt Frattin (Jake Marto) 15:59. Marto sends a clear from the corner and hits Frattin as he’s coming out of the box. Frattin dekes Bakala and scores five-hole for his 27th.

UND 4, Bemidji State 1 — Jason Gregoire (Corban Knight, Jake Marto) 17:47. Knight makes a nice pass from the right wing to hit the trailer. Gregoire skates to the left wing and snipes the corner of the net.

Third period

UND 5, Bemidji State 1 — Evan Trupp (Brad Malone, Corban Knight) 13:20 (pp). UND with tons of possession on the power play and several great setups. Malone finds Trupp on the back door for the goal.

UND’s lines

19 Evan Trupp–22 Brad Malone–21 Matt Frattin
17 Jason Gregoire–10 Corban Knight–26 Brett Hextall
8 Mike Cichy–29 Brock Nelson–27 Carter Rowney
15 Brent Davidson–9 Mario Lamoureux–11 Derek Rodwell

2 Andrew MacWilliam–25 Jake Marto
4 Derek Forbort–24 Ben Blood
3 Derrick LaPoint–18 Dillon Simpson

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness

Bemidji State’s lines

28 Jordan George–19 Matt Read–22 Ian Lowe
16 Emil Billberg–14 Aaron McLeod–18 Radoslav Illo
17 Jamie MacQueen–11 Shea Walters–15 Ryan Cramer
12 Jeff Jubinville–13 Drew Fisher–6 Darcy Findlay

8 Jake Areshenko–29 Brad Hunt
5 Matt Carlson–3 Ryan Adams
4 Dan McIntyre–26 Kyle Brodie

33 Dan Bakala
35 Mathieu Dugas

Saturday night rewind

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Now, it becomes simple for the Sioux. Win one of their last three games and they will be MacNaughton Cup champions and the No. 1 seed for the WCHA playoffs. UND will have a chance to clinch a share of the title and that No. 1 seed at 3:37 this afternoon. The Sioux won the opener 5-2 behind two goals from Matt Frattin and Jason Gregoire. Game stories:

Grand Forks Herald

FightingSioux.com

Bemidji Pioneer

USCHO

Dakota Student

Other notes:

  • The Century Club watch: Frattin will hit 100 with his next point. Evan Trupp is at 97 points. Gregoire is at 96.
  • Despite the crowd of 12,000-plus, this game definitely had an afternoon feel to it. There wasn’t quite the buzz and atmosphere of night games. As someone mentioned on the chat, it felt a little like an NCAA regional game. If so, this was a good test for the team to pass.
  • Power plays were a huge part of this game. UND scored on 3 of its first 4 man advantages and that was the difference. Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore said his team needs to sustain more pressure in order to get more power-play opportunities.
  • UND’s third and fourth lines were difference-makers throughout the game. Mike Cichy re-entered the lineup and coach Dave Hakstol said he thought Cichy played pretty well. Considering that line’s success, my guess is that Cichy is back in again this afternoon.
  • Brock Nelson is really coming on strong at the end of the year. He’s a guy who could really blossom in the playoffs. Nelson, by the way, certainly is happy about the Warroad girls winning the state championship today, while the Warroad boys made the section final.
  • Dillon Simpson had a solid game on the blue line. It sounds like his father, Craig, is going to try to make it for the series finale. Craig is usually busy with Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts.
  • I thought Brett Hextall had another very good game. He nearly added a goal to his pair of assists, but his shot hit the inside of the post.
  • Both goals that Matt Read has scored against the Sioux have been big-time goals. He made a great play for the shorthander with 20 seconds left.
  • Eight of BSU’s 15 shots came from its top line.

Women’s final: Bemidji State 3, UND 0

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TO ENTER THE LIVE CHAT, click here. For mobile users, click here.

First period

No scoring.

Second period

Bemidji State 1, UND 0 — Erika Wheelhouse (Sadie Lundquist) 15:07 (pp). Crookston’s Wheelhouse scores her first career goal on a snap shot from the point with loads of traffic in front.

Third period

Bemidji State 2, UND 0 — Lauren Williams 11:41. Williams had the puck alone down low and scored her third of the year.

Bemidji State 3, UND 0 — Sadie Lundquist 15:35. Lundquist got the puck in the corner, skated to the side of the net and slipped it by Ney on the short side.

UND’s lines

13 Alyssa Wiebe–17 Jocelyne Lamoureux–19 Margot Miller
5 Holly Perkins–2 Mary Loken–6 Allison Parizek
21 Kelsey Ketcher–22 Sara Dagenais–39 Stephanie Roy
15 Megan Gilbert

32 Candace Molle–18 Monique-Lamoureux Kolls
9 Kayla Berg–91 Ashley Furia
3 Madison Kolls–12 Ashley Holmes
27 Francie Piche

29 Stephanie Ney
30 Jorid Dagfinrud

Bemidji State’s lines

13 Erin Cody–3 Abby Williams–10 Emily Erickson
8 Erin Johnson–17 Sadie Lundquist–9 Annie Bauerfeld
59 Danielle Williams–16 MacKenzie Thurston–22 Lauren Williams
23 Molly Arola–92 Emily McKnight–19 Tess Dusik

25 Montana Vichorek–29 Kim Lieder
15 Marlee Wheelhouse–14 Erika Wheelhouse
28 Allie Duellman–24 Alex Ehlert

88 Zuzana Tomcikova
31 Alana McElhinney
35 Jessica Havel

Gameday final: UND 5, Bemidji State 2

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TO ENTER THE LIVE CHAT, click here. For mobile users, click here.

Tonight’s TV: FSSN, Midco Sports Network, FCS Pacific, DirecTV 623.

First period

UND 1, Bemidji State 0 — Jason Gregoire (Brock Nelson, Brett Hextall) 9:14 (pp). Nelson makes a great play behind the net to set up Gregoire on the doorstep. Gregoire scores to extend his point streak to nine games.

UND 2, Bemidji State 0 — Brent Davidson (Derrick LaPoint, Mario Lamoureux) 17:10. Lamoureux wins a battle along the wall and gets the puck to LaPoint at the right point. Davidson tips his point shot past Bakala from the top of the crease.

Second period

UND 3, Bemidji State 0 — Matt Frattin (Evan Trupp, Corban Knight) 2:25 (pp). Trupp holds the puck in the corner and finds Frattin, who unloads a one-timer. Bakala has no chance.

UND 3, Bemidji State 1 — Ryan Cramer 6:11. A puck bounces over MacWilliam’s stick at the point and Cramer goes on a breakaway. He snaps a shot by Dell for BSU’s first goal.

UND 4, Bemidji State 1 — Matt Frattin (Brett Hextall, Brock Nelson) 18:12 (pp). Frattin gets the puck at the point, takes two steps in and rips a wrist shot. Bakala gets a piece of it, but the shot is powerful enough to get by him anyway.

Third period

UND 5, Bemidji State 1 — Jason Gregoire (Dillon Simpson, Derrick LaPoint) 9:17. Gregoire used his strength to get past an Areshenko check along the boards. Then, he tries to feed Knight cutting down the slot, but the puck goes off of George’s stick and in.

UND 5, Bemidji State 2 – Matt Read (Ian Lowe) 19:40 (sh). Lowe entered the zone and tried to shoot, but it was blocked down. Read picked up the loose puck, skated around a defender on the left side and tucked a shot just inside the post.

UND’s lines

19 Evan Trupp–22 Brad Malone–21 Matt Frattin
17 Jason Gregoire–10 Corban Knight–26 Brett Hextall
8 Mike Cichy–29 Brock Nelson–27 Carter Rowney
15 Brent Davidson–9 Mario Lamoureux–11 Derek Rodwell

2 Andrew MacWilliam–25 Jake Marto
4 Derek Forbort–24 Ben Blood
3 Derrick LaPoint–18 Dillon Simpson

32 Aaron Dell
31 Brad Eidsness

Bemidji State’s lines

28 Jordan George–19 Matt Read–22 Ian Lowe
16 Emil Billberg–14 Aaron McLeod–18 Radoslav Illo
17 Jamie MacQueen–11 Shea Walters–15 Ryan Cramer
7 Brance Orban–13 Drew Fisher–6 Darcy Findlay

8 Jake Areshenko–29 Brad Hunt
5 Matt Carlson–3 Ryan Adams
4 Dan McIntyre–26 Kyle Brodie

33 Dan Bakala
35 Mathieu Dugas