As I mentioned in my series preview, this series has all of the makings of being a trap series and a Pairwise Ranking’s killer. Lose a game or two this weekend and UND will drop in the Pairwise Rankings.
If UND wants to stay in in the conference race, they need to take six points from the Tigers this weekend.
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Moreover, if UND wants to be in the running for a number one seed in the NCAA playoffs, this is a team that they have to sweep.
Anything less is unacceptable.
Looking at the calendar, it’s late January and it’s crunch time. This is where teams start to establish themselves nationally while others start their implosion.
Sure, the hockey pundits have told us that C.C. is a much different hockey team than the one UND beat (3-2 W, 7-2 W) last October.
They’re probably right.
Even with the improvement, the Tigers are still a bad hockey team, the stats don’t lie.
Seriously, I am not trying to be obstinate, but how can you not conclude that the Tigers are a bad hockey team?
The Tigers are offensively challenged and scoring an average of 2.25 goals per game. On the defensive side of the ice, the Tigers are giving up 4.00 goals per game.
The first team to three wins.
The Tigers top forwards: Cody Bradley (8g-10a—19pts), Hunter Fejes (5g-9a—14pts), Scott Wamsqanz (5g-6a—11pts), Sam Rothstein (4g-7a—11pts).
The Tigers goalies have some horrendous numbers: Chase Perry (1-7-1, 3.64 GAA, .884 SV%), Tyler Marble (4-7-0, 3.95 GAA, .880 SV%). Both Tiger goalies’ are both giving up 3.5 goals per game.
Just for comparison sake, UND goalie Zane McIntyre is (16-5-2, 1.87 GAA, .933 SV%)
Looking at the Tigers schedule, they didn’t win their first NCHC game until January 16, 2015.
The Tigers beating Nebraska-Omaha last weekend should’ve served UND and the other teams in the NCHC notice. I am also not suggesting that C.C. can’t beat UND because they could. That being said, I am still predicting a series sweep for UND.
According to the Grand Forks Herald, The Tigers (5-14-1 overall, 1-9-1 NCHC) are hoping to use last weekend’s series as a springboard.
Finally, UND is 5-5-1 on Friday night’s and 11-0-1 on Saturday nights. UND five wins on Friday night were against C.C., Providence College, Wisconsin, Lake State and Niagara University. Their combined record is 30-72-8 (.309).
UND’s five losses on Friday night were to Bemidji State, Miami, St Cloud, Denver and Minnesota-Duluth. Their combined record is 58-46-8 (.553). All but Bemidji were conference opponents.
See you at the Ralph.
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