The University of North Dakota hockey team finished off the sweep against the Nebraska-Omaha with a 7-3 win in game two. During their two-game series against the Mavericks, the Fighting Hawks outscored the Mavericks 16-4.
The last time that UND scored that many points in a series; March 4-5, 2011 when they swept Michigan Tech (6-1 W, 11-2) in Houghton, Michigan.
The Fighting Hawks have now won the last five games of the series by a combined score of 29-9 and are 14-7-1 all-time against the Mavericks. The two teams will play again at the end of the season.
Balanced Attack
Against the Mavericks, the Fighting Hawks received great forward play from all four lines. Everyone chipped in and did their job. The story of the weekend was the play of UND’s top-two forwards. Sophomore forward Brock Boeser returned from minor wrist surgery and had a great weekend. Freshman forward Tyson Jost returned from the World Junior Championship, with very little rest, also had a great weekend on the score sheet.
On Saturday, Boeser chipped in (1g-2a—3pts). Not to be outdone, his buddy Jost chipped in (2g-0a—2pts). Both Boeser (3g-2—5pts) and Jost (3g-1a—4pts) had big weekends. Here’s my question, will UND have two offensive players of the week?
Sophomore forward Shane Gersich extended his point streak to six games with an assist tonight (4g-2a—6pts). Gersich leads the team with (15g-12a—27pts).
Sophomore defenseman Christian Wolanin had a career night on Saturday (2g-1a—3pts). That was Wolanin’s first multiple-point game of his career. Finally, sophomore forward Joel Janatuinen has been getting better each week. On Saturday, Janatuinen quietly chipped in (0g-2a—2pts). Janatuinen now has three multi-point games on the season and two in a row. For the weekend, Espoo, Finland native was (1g-3a—4pts).
Goaltending the Difference
In my opinion, one of the major differences in this series was the goaltending. Both Maverick goaltenders struggled between the pipes. UNO’s goaltenders game up 16 goals on 72 shots. Breaking it down further, UND scored on 22 percent of their shots.
If you don’t believe me, look at the numbers, Omaha goaltending numbers weren’t pretty. Kris Oldham 0-0-0, 6.51 GAA and .815 save percentage. Evan Weninger 0-2-0, 8.53 GAA and .778 save percentage.
On the other side of the ice, Cam Johnson enjoyed a much better weekend, 2-0-0, 2.00 GAA, and .927 save percentage. For the season, Johnson is 12-6-3, 2.09 GAA and .916 save percentage.
National Statistics
Let’s take a look at the national statistics. Offensively, UND is ranked ninth in the nation averaging 3.52 goals per game. Defensively, UND is ranked 10th giving up 2.19 goals per game. Scoring margin, UND is tied for third 1.33.
Contrary to public belief, UND isn’t a bunch of goons, they’re ranked 44th in Penalty Minutes. There’s some good news, UND’s power play is on the rise. This past weekend, UND went 6/12 on the power play and is now ranked 13th in the nation 20/94 (21.3%). UND’s penalty kill still needs some work, they’re ranked 36th in the nation 77/94 (81.9%). The Hawks also had one shorthanded goal this weekend. (College Hockey Stats Net)
UND now sits all alone in third place in the NCHC standings with 17 points. UND enters their series against the Miami RedHawks on a three-game winning streak. (box score)
HIGHLIGHTS: @UNDmhockey offense continues to roll in 7-3 win at @OmahaHKY to complete sweep https://t.co/XRd0rADRbt #NCHCHockey #NCHCtv
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) January 8, 2017
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