Grand Forks, ND – Originally, Mark Senden wasn’t supposed to be a member of the 2018-19 University of North Dakota hockey team. He was slated to play junior hockey and be the captain of the Fargo Force. Then, last summer, incoming freshman forward Carter Huber decommited and stayed home for personal reasons. Huber’s absence meant that Mark Senden was the next man up. Senden has made the most of his opportunity.
“I’m fortunate to be here, “Senden said. “I just give it my best every single day and don’t look back on it too much. I just keep looking to the future and keep progressing every single day.”
Since arriving at UND, Senden has progressed nicely. Currently, he’s tied for seventh on the team in points (6g-6a—12pts), he’s also a plus-15. Senden has four multi-point games, two of them coming in the last three games. Friday, against the UMD, Senden had a goal and an assist, pacing UND past the third-ranked UMD.
Quick Strike Senden
Senden has also scored the first goal of the game in two of the last three games. UND has won both of those games. Four of Senden’s six goals have come during the first period.
On Friday night, Senden scored 44 seconds in to give UND an early lead. Forty-one second later, UMD would answer with a goal from Nick Swaney. At the 12:11 mark of the first period, UND would take the lead for good with a goal from Hayden Shaw. The Hawks would add two more goals to give UND a 4-1 win over the Bulldogs.
With the win, UND again is tied with the Denver Pioneers in the NCHC standings. Denver has a game in hand, due to a postponement back on January 18, 2019.
VIDEO: Watch the game highlights as @UNDmhockey takes down #3 Minnesota Duluth 4-1 on Friday at the Ralph.#UNDproud @TheNCHC pic.twitter.com/2F2AvEIad5
— UND Insider (@UNDinsider) February 23, 2019
Peter Thome Takes the Net
UND goalie Peter Thome took to the ice for the first time in two months to defeat the UMD Bulldogs, 4-1. (Photo Credit: Eric J. Burton, Inside Hockey).
Sophomore goaltender Peter Thome hadn’t played in a regulation game since November 30th against the Bulldogs. It wasn’t a memorable performace, Thome gave up five goals on 23 shots and was pulled after 33:45. Thome hasn’t played in 15 games, due to injury and Adam Scheel’s performance. Last weekend, Scheel was hurt in game two against Western Michigan Broncos. Enter Thome, the next man up. The Minneapolis, Minnesota native stopped 21-of-22 shots backing stopping UND to victory.
In the third period, while the Bulldogs were pressing, Thome stopped 11 shots to preserved the victory.
“There was definitely some nerves before the game,” A confident Thome said. “I hadn’t actually started in a real game for so long.”
With the win, Thome improves to (2-3-0, 3.23 GAA and a .860 save percentage). Postgame, head coach Brad Berry was pleased with his starter’s play.
“I think he was probably a little bit nervous going back in after not being in there while,” Berry said. “I thought he settled in. In the second period, he had some power plays he was looking at, he made some good saves. And then in the third, he made a couple saves there to preserve the win. So, yeah, I think he felt more comfortable as the game went on. I think it’s only natural he had a few nerves and start with.”
The same two teams conclude their series tonight at 07:07 pm ct. With the win, UND improves to 15-13-2, 9-9-1 NCHC. With the loss, UMD drops to 18-9-2, 11-7-1 NCHC. With WMU’s 5-4 win, UMD is now tied for second place with Broncos.
