On Saturday night, the University of North Dakota hockey team played in its first live action of the 2022-23 season. The home team didn’t disappoint. After a two-year hiatus, the University of Manitoba Bisons returned to play in the season-opening exhibition game. In the end, the game wasn’t very close. UND received balanced scoring; five different players scored goals as the Fighting Hawks crushed the Bisons 5-1.
Although the Bisons aren’t on the same level as the Fighting Hawks, the exhibition game gave the UND coaching staff a chance to see their players play in game action. Next week, the UND coaching staff will have some tough lineup decisions. This year’s Fighting Hawks team is deep, and you may have some talented players sitting in the stands. There’s going to be a lot of competition for playing time.
“Here at North Dakota, we play the guys that earn it each and every day,” UND head coach Brad Berry said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a draft pick or a free agent. If you’re bringing it, you’re going to earn it, you’re going to play. that’s going to be the body of work that we’re going to look at over the next few weeks.”
One of the guys that made a strong case for some increased playing time was Griffin Ness. During his first two seasons, Ness has been a healthy scratch more times than not. On Saturday night, he made an impact. After going goalless in his first two seasons, Ness scored the game’s first goal.
“Yeah, it feels good, Ness said, “It was a good play by (Chris) Jandric, and when you go to the heavy area in front of the net sometimes you get rewarded and I just happened to be there. Yeah, it’s it feels good, but I’m just looking forward to the next weekend.”
Ness’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the team.
“My hat’s off to Griffin,” Berry said. “He’s loved in the locker room; guys love him. He got the hard hat tonight. There are a number of guys that could have got the hard hat and he got it and that tells you what the locker room says about it.”
Ness crashing the net! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/fiOvf8ALmZ
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDmhockey) October 1, 2022
Take nothing for granted and work hard to stay in the lineup. It’s a team-first mentality.
“It’s a competition every day, but at the end of the day you just try your best, you work your hardest and you try to help your team win,” Ness said. “If that means you’re on the first line, you’re on the first line. If that means you’re the extra skater, and not playing that’s what it means. You just gotta be a team-first player, and try your hardest to do whatever you can to help the team.”
While it’s only one game, it appears that Ness may have taken another step forward. At first look, it appears that he had a pretty good off-season. Ness was asked if there were any changes to his exercise routine and diet.
“Yeah, the last few seasons, I’ve stayed here and worked out here so it’s been fun,” Ness said. “It’s not too far to go home so it’s nice way for me to do it. I like being here and working with Pooley and a couple of local guys that also stay here. So it was just nice staying here and getting the work done.
“I tried to eat as healthy as possible this summer. That was one of my big focuses is nutrition. Other than that, just stick to the workout plans you have here.”
Next weekend, the Fighting Hawks take on the Holy Cross Crusaders in a two-game non-conference series.
