This weekend, the University of North Dakota hockey team takes on the Denver Pioneers in an important two-game conference series at Ralph Engelstad Arena. There are four weeks left in the regular season.
Series History
All-time, UND leads the series against the Pioneers 139-119-9 (.537). In Grand Forks, UND leads the series 81-42-6 (.651). In Denver, UND trails in the series 53-70-3 (.433).
At neutral sites, UND trails 5-7-0 (.417). Under head coach Dave Hakstol, UND trails in the series 16-18-1 (.471). In the last 10 games against the Pioneers, UND leads 5-4-1 (.550).
Tale of the tape
#2North Dakota (19-6-2, 10-5-1 NCHC) vs. #9 Denver Pioneers (16-9-3, 9-7-0 NCHC).
Date: February 13-14, 2015
Game Time: Friday 7:37 p.m. CT, Saturday 7:07 p.m. CT
Location: Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks ND.
Last time out: DU shut out C.C. 3-0 last Friday
Last time out: North Dakota was Idle last week
DU Offense: 18h Nationally
DU Defense: 9th Nationally
DU PWR: 9th
DU Last 10 games: 6-4 (.600)
UND Offense: 9th Nationally
UND Defense: 8th Nationally
UND PWR: 2nd
UND Last 10 games: 7-2-1 (.750)
TV: Friday: Midco Sports Network
Live Streaming: NCHC.TV
TV: Saturday: Midco Sports Network, FOX College Sports Central, DirecTV (608), DISH Network (452)
Live Streaming: NCHC.TV
Key Players to watch
North Dakota – Forwards: Drake Caggiula (11g-16a—27pts), Michael Parks (9g-18a—27pts), Mark MacMillan (15g-8a—23pts), Nick Schmaltz (3g-16a—19pts), Brendan O’Donnell (10g-5a—15pts), Luke Johnson (6g-8a—14pts), Defense: Jordan Schmaltz (3g-18a—21pts), Paul LaDue (3g-11a—14pts), Tucker Poolman (6g-4a—10pts), Nick Mattson (1g-8a—9pts), Gage Ausmus (2g-2a—4pts). Goalies: Zane McIntyre (19-6-2, 1.96 GAA, .931 SV%), Cam Johnson (0-0-0, 5.54 GAA, .765SV%).
UND Injuries: None reported.
Denver – Forwards: Danton Heinen (10g-19a—29pts), Trevor Moore (13g-13a—26pts), Daniel Doremus (7g-15a—22pts), Quentin Shore (8g-10a—18pts). Defense: Joey LaLeggia (9g-15a—24pts), Nolan Zajac (5g-14a—19pts), Will Butcher (2g-9a—11pts), Adam Plant (0g-7a—7pts). Goalies: Tanner Jaillet (9-4-0, 1.97 GAA and a .927 SV%), Evan Cowley (7-5-1, 2.05 GAA, and a .927 SV%).
Special teams
Denver University – The Pioneers penalty kill is ranked 8th in the nation (78/89, 87.6%). The Pioneers power play is ranked 6th in the nation (23/102 22.5%).
North Dakota – UND’s penalty kill is ranked 16th in the nation (95/112, 84.8%). UND’s power play is ranked 20th in the nation (24/105, 20.9%).
