Last night, the University of North Dakota were battered 5-2 by the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs. Against the Bulldogs, the Fighting Hawks looked rattled, disjointed and a step slow. I also thought the freshmen looked like deer in the headlights. That being said, I don’t think it’s time to panic, there is roughly another 30-34 games left in the season. Last season, UND lost 6 games, realistically speaking, I don’t see UND losing only six games this season.
Also, you have to give credit where credit is due. No matter how you spin it, UMD is a good hockey team that has great forwards up front. They’re top line was fabulous last night. I do think UND wasted an opportunity against their freshman goalie Hunter Miska. While Miska is 3-0-0, his numbers aren’t that great (2.53 GAA and a .892 save percentage) he also left a lot of juicy rebounds that UND failed to capitalize on.
At times, last night, the Hawks were caught flatfooted and appeared to be watching the Dogs make plays. I can predict with great confidence that the Hawks will make adjustments.
In six games this season, UND, 5-1-0 the opposition has scored the first goal in five-of-six games. UND is 4-1-0 in those five games. Last night, was the first time this season that the Fighting Hawks failed to regain the lead.
Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad E. Schlossman predicted correctly that UND was going to lose 5-2 to the Bulldogs. I also agree with him, you could see this one coming. Now, the coaching staff should have their teams full attention after this loss. It takes a full 60-minute effort to win games in NCHC play. Last night, they played great for 20 minutes.
In six starts versus the Bulldogs, UND goalie Cam Johnson is 4-2, 1.68 GAA and a .950 save percentage. In his last two games against the Bulldogs Johnson is 0-2 and his team has been outscored 8-4. Maybe Sandie is right, they’ve found something in his game. Or it could just be a blip on the radar. With the start last night, Johnson has now started 37 games in a row.
After six games, the UND is giving up the fewest shots against per game with 21 shots on goal per game. However, UND is ranked 16th nationally in goals against.
According to the UND SID, last night’s loss was just the fifth of Johnson’s career (29-5-2) and that snapped a career-long nine-game winning streak. So far this season, Johnson 5-1-0, 2.19 GAA and .897 save percentage.
For only the second time in the past 19 games, sophomore forward Brock Boeser was held pointless. During those 19 games, Boeser scored (14g-25—39pts). Expect a better effort from Boeser tonight.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
