Michael Weisman • O: 719-694-9924 • C: 513-310-4869 • [email protected] • @TheNCHC
1631 Mesa Avenue, Suite C Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Phone: 719-203-6818 Fax: 719-645-8206 www.NCHCHockey.com
2021-22 NCHC WEEKLY RELEASE
Week of Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2021 Volume 9, Issue 10
2021-22 NCHC S taNdiNgS
Conference Overall
Pts. GP W L T OW OL SW Win % GF GA GP W L T Win % GF GA 1. North Dakota 15 6 5 1 0 0 0 0 .833 19 12 15 10 5 0 .667 49 40 2. Denver 12 6 4 2 0 0 0 0 .667 23 14 12 8 4 0 .667 53 32 3. Minnesota Duluth 11 6 3 2 1 0 0 1 .583 16 7 14 10 3 1 .750 39 22 4. Western Michigan 9 6 3 3 0 0 0 0 .500 19 18 14 10 4 0 .714 55 35 St. Cloud State 9 6 3 3 0 1 1 0 .500 16 17 14 9 5 0 .643 47 28 6. Omaha 5 4 2 2 0 1 0 0 .500 11 12 14 11 3 0 .786 56 28 7. Miami 3 6 1 5 0 0 0 0 .167 12 27 14 3 10 1 .250 38 56 8. Colorado College 2 4 0 3 1 0 1 0 .125 3 12 12 2 7 3 .292 26 30
Teams are awarded three (3) points for each conference win in regulation, two (2) points for an overtime or shootout win, and one (1) point for an overtime or shootout loss. Overtime wins and losses appear in both the W and L columns, as well as the OTW and OTL columns in a team’s conference record. Shootouts will only occur if a conference game remains tied after the lone overtime, which is played 3-on-3, with the shootout winner earning two points and the loser getting one point, the same as an overtime win and loss.
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Friday, Dec. 3
No. 1/1 Minnesota Duluth at Northern Michigan, 6:37 p.m. ET
*No. 6/5 Western Michigan at Miami, 7:05 p.m. ET
*Colorado College at No. 10/10 Omaha, 7:07 p.m. CT
*No. 7/7 North Dakota at No. 5/6 St. Cloud State, 7:30 p.m. CT No. 12/11 Denver at Arizona State, 7:05 p.m. MT
Saturday, Dec. 4
*No. 6/5 Western Michigan at Miami, 5:05 p.m. ET
No. 1/1 Minnesota Duluth at Northern Michigan, 6:37 p.m. ET
*No. 7/7 North Dakota at No. 5/6 St. Cloud State, 6:00 p.m. CT
*Colorado College at No. 10/10 Omaha, 7:07 p.m. CT No. 12/11 Denver at Arizona State, 7:05 p.m. MT
L aSt W eek ’ S R eSuLtS
Friday, Nov. 26 Long Island 7, at Miami 4
No. 7/7 Western Michigan 8, at St. Lawrence 2 No. 11/12 Minnesota 5, at No. 6/5 North Dakota 1 at No. 2/2 Minnesota Duluth 5, Alaska 1
Saturday, Nov. 27 at Miami 4, Long Island 1
No. 7/7 Western Michigan 5, at St. Lawrence 1 at No. 6/5 North Dakota 3, No. 11/12 Minnesota 2 at No. 2/2 Minnesota Duluth 1, Alaska 0 (OT)
*Conference game
National Collegiate Hockey Conference
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NowMinnesota Duluth junior goaltender Ryan Fanti recorded four shutouts in the month of November, blanking the opponent in half of his starts last month. In doing so, he earned NCHC Goaltender of the Month and Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) National Goaltender of the Month honors for November after posting a 1.00 GAA and a .957 save percentage in the month.
However, UMD has announced he will miss this weekend’s series at Northern Michigan due to COVID-19 protocols.
Denver leads the country averaging 4.42 goals per game this season. The Pioneers have 53 goals in just 12 games.
St. Cloud State is tied for the men’s NCAA hockey lead with five short-handed goals this season, along with Ferris State.
Eight NCHC players were named to the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster this week. Four teams are represented with three from Minnesota Duluth, two each from Denver and North Dakota and one from Miami.
Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank leads men’s NCAA hockey with 15 goals this season, as do his 1.07 goals per game. Omaha senior forward Taylor Ward is tied for third nationally with 12 goals, while DU sophomore Carter Savoie is fifth with 11.
Omaha leads D-I men’s hockey with 22 power-play goals this season. St. Cloud State is second with 20 PPGs on the year.
Western Michigan senior forward Drew Worrad leads all of men’s NCAA hockey with 25 points this season, as do his 1.79 points per game. His 20 assists this season tie for the NCAA lead.
Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank tallied three goals last weekend to join the Century Club with 100 career points. He now has 101 career points (59g/42a) in 134 games.
He joins St. Cloud State fifth-year senior Easton Brodzinski as active 100-point scorers with all points in the NCHC. Omaha senior forward Taylor Ward is next in line to reach the club with 97 career points.
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NCHC.tv
Watch six games this weekend on NCHC.tv, with three Friday and three more on Saturday. See the full schedule on page 14.
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SID/S chool D Irectory
Colorado College
Website: ...CCTigers.com Hockey SID: ... Jerry Cross Office: ... 719-389-6755 Cell: ... 719-205-4432 Email: ... [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... TBA Hockey Twitter: ... @CCTigerHKY Hockey Facebook: ... /ColoradoCollegeHockey Hockey Instagram:...@coloradocollegetigerhockey Address:...14 East Cache La Poudre Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
University of Denver
Website: ... DenverPioneers.com Hockey SID: ...Ron Knabenbauer Office: ... 303-871-2390 Cell: ... 720-987-9512 Email: [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... 303-871-3922 Hockey Twitter: ... @DU_Hockey Hockey Facebook: .../DenverHockey Hockey Instagram:...@du_hockey Address:... 2201 East Asbury Ave.
Denver, CO 80208
Miami University
Website: ...MiamiRedHawks.com Hockey SID: ...Tim Cary Office: ...General Athletics: 513-529-0402 Cell: ... 937-215-0106 Email: [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... 513-529-1427 Hockey Twitter: ... @MiamiOH_Hockey Hockey Facebook: ... /MiamiOHHockey Hockey Instagram:...@miamioh_hockey Address:... 230 Millett Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
University of Minnesota Duluth
Website: ...UMDBulldogs.com Hockey SID: ... Chris Popovich Office: ... 218-726-8514 Cell: ... 586-808-6041 Email: ... [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... 218-623-1391 Hockey Twitter: ... @UMDMensHockey Hockey Facebook: ... /UMDHockey Hockey Instagram:...@umd_mens_hockey Address:...170 Sports & Health Center
1216 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812University of Nebraska Omaha
Website: ...OMavs.com Hockey SID: ...Tony Boone Office: ... N/A Cell: ... 402-618-0520 Email: ... [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... 402-554-6195 Hockey Twitter: ...@OmahaHKY Athletics Facebook: .../omavs Hockey Instagram:... @omahahky Address:... 6001 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE 68182
University of North Dakota
Website: ... FightingHawks.com Hockey SID: ...Alec Johnson Office: ... 701-777-2986 Cell: ... 701-412-6169 Email: ... [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... 701-777-3571 Hockey Twitter: ... @UNDmhockey Hockey Facebook: .../UNDMHockey Hockey Instagram:... @undmhockey Address:...Hyslop Sports Center Room 120
2751 2nd Ave. N. Stop 9013, Grand Forks, ND 58202St. Cloud State University
Website: ... SCSUHuskies.com Hockey SID: ...Andrew Melroe Office: ... 320-308-5400 Cell: ... 651-343-3272 Email: ... [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... 320-308-5227 Hockey Twitter: ... @SCSUHUSKIES_MH Hockey Facebook: ... /SCSUMensHockey Hockey Instagram:...@scsumhockey Address:... 720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498Western Michigan University
Website: ... WMUBroncos.com Hockey SID: ...Adam Bodnar Office: ... 269-387-4122 Cell: ... 269-760-5133 Email: [email protected] Press Box Phone: ... 269-760-5133 Hockey Twitter: ...@WMUHockey Hockey Facebook: .../WMUHockey Hockey Instagram:...@wmu_hockey Address:... 1903 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Associate Commissioner: ..Michael Weisman
Office: ...719-694-9924 Cell: ...513-310-4869 Email: [email protected] Website: ...NCHCHockey.com
Digital Content Coordinator: ...Sam Kuhne
Office: ...719-418-2795Cell: ...814-691-8416 Email: [email protected] Digital Network: ... NCHC.tv
Twitter: ...@TheNCHC Instagram: ...@TheNCHC Facebook: ... /TheNCHC Address:...1631 Mesa Avenue, Suite C
Colorado Springs, CO 80906National Collegiate Hockey Conference
NCHC N
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otesPURSUIT OF THE PENROSE RETURNS: After only non-conference play last weekend, six NCHC teams resume their pursuit of the Penrose Cup with conference games this weekend. It’s a top-10 tilt in St. Cloud with No. 7/7 North Dakota visiting No. 5/6 St. Cloud State, while rivals collide in Oxford as No. 6/5 Western Michigan tangles with Miami. Elsewhere, Colorado College and No. 10/10 Omaha both return from bye weeks to face off at Baxter Arena.
Top-ranked Minnesota Duluth and No. 12/11 Denver both hit the road this weekend for non-conference action. UMD heads to the U.P. to face CCHA foe Northern Michigan, while the Pioneers make a return trip to Tempe, Ariz. for two games at Arizona State, who they already swept in Denver.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS: NCHC teams went 6-2-0 in non- conference play over Thanksgiving weekend. NCHC teams have now combined for a .669 win percentage in non-conference play this season, second-best among the six Division I men’s hockey conferences (Big Ten at .685). NCHC teams have gone 42-20-3 in non-conference play to date in non-conference play, with the 42 wins the most among all conferences. (full breakdown on page 12)
Although the NCHC did not play non-conference games last season, the NCHC has posted the best combined non-conference record among conferences in five of the six seasons prior to last year (from 2014- 15 through 2019-20). Over the NCHC’s first seven seasons of non- conference play, NCHC teams average a combined .635 win percentage.
POLL POSITIONS: The NCHC leads all conferences with six teams ranked in the USCHO.com Poll for the eighth straight week, including five teams in the top 10. Six NCHC teams are also once again ranked in the USA Hockey Magazine Poll, also the most of any conference.
Minnesota Duluth captured the top spot in both polls for the first time this season on Monday, becoming the second NCHC team to be ranked No. 1 this season along with St. Cloud State. All six NCHC teams rank in the top 12 of both polls. (polls on Page 12)
AGAIN SO SOON?: Omaha completed a four-game, regular-season sweep of Alaska on Nov. 19-20 with 5-2 and 4-2 wins in Fairbanks.
Omaha had already swept Alaska a month earlier at Baxter Arena in Omaha with a 3-2 overtime win on Oct. 15 and a 5-1 win on Oct. 17.
Denver will be looking to do the same at Arizona State this weekend after sweeping the Sun Devils in Denver on Oct. 8-9 by scores of 8-3 in the opener and 4-3 a night later.
Two other NCHC teams already played the same opponent this regular season that they played in an exhibition game. North Dakota split with Bemidji State Oct. 15-16 in regular-season play, after UND edged BSU, 2-1, in an exhibition game on Oct. 2 in Grand Forks. Colorado College, meanwhile, split with cross-town rival Air Force on Oct. 29-30 in regular-season play, after CC fell to Air Force, 2-1, on Oct. 2 in an exhibition game at CC’s Robson Arena.
CENTURY CLUBBIN’: Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank tallied three goals last weekend at St. Lawrence to become a member of the Century Club with 100 career points. He now has 101 career points (59g/42a) in 134 games. Frank joins St. Cloud State fifth- year senior Easton Brodzinski as active 100-point scorers with all points scored while playing in the NCHC.
Omaha senior forward Taylor Ward is next in line to join the club with 97 career points (50g/47a) in 107 career games with the Mavericks.
Brodzinski reached the mark in SCSU’s season-opening win over St.
Thomas on Oct. 2. He scored two goals and added an assist against the
Tommies, as he now has 107 career points, including 61 goals and 46 assists in 153 career games.
The only other active NCHC players with 100 career points are fifth-year transfers into the conference. Connor Ford (125 points) plays at North Dakota this year, while Cameron Wright (110 points) plays at Denver after both played at Bowling Green for four years.
THE GREAT EIGHT: Eight NCHC players were named to the 2022 U.S.
National Junior Team preliminary roster on Tuesday. Four teams are represented with three players from Minnesota Duluth, two each from Denver and North Dakota and one from Miami. Half of the eight are sophomores and the other half freshmen, while five are defensemen and three are forwards.
Two of the eight NCHC players are returning members of last year’s U.S. National Junior Team that took gold at the 2021 World Junior Championship in North Dakota sophomore defensemen Tyler Kleven and Jake Sanderson. The eight players selected for 2022 are:
• Sean Behrens, Fr., D, Denver (Colorado Avalanche)
• Dominic James, Fr., F, UMD (draft-eligible)
• Wyatt Kaiser, So., D, UMD (Chicago Blackhawks)
• Connor Kelley, So., D, UMD (Chicago Blackhawks)
• Tyler Kleven, So., D, UND (Ottawa Senators)
• Carter Mazur, Fr., F, Denver (Detroit Red Wings)
• Jake Sanderson, So., D, UND (Ottawa Senators)
• Red Savage, Fr., F, Miami (Detroit Red Wings)
FANTASTIC FANTI: Minnesota Duluth junior goaltender Ryan Fanti recorded four shutouts in the month of November, blanking the opponent in half of his starts last month. In doing so, he earned NCHC Goaltender of the Month and Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) National Goaltender of the Month honors for November after posting a 1.00 GAA and a .957 save percentage in the month. He also earned NCHC Goalie of the Week for the second time in November on Monday.
He ranks third nationally with a 1.25 GAA, a .946 save percentage and his four shutouts. However, UMD has announced he will miss this weekend’s series at Northern Michigan due to COVID-19 protocols.
TOP GUNS: The NCHC is home to three of the top seven goal-scorers in D-I men’s NCAA hockey and four of the top six point-per-game scorers in the country. Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank is first nationally with 15 goals, while Omaha senior forward Taylor Ward is tied for third with 12 and Denver sophomore forward Carter Savoie is tied for fifth with 11. Frank’s 1.07 gpg are also tops nationally by himself.
In addition, WMU senior forward Drew Worrad leads the NCAA with 25 points and 1.79 points per game. Savoie is second at 1.58 ppg, while Frank ties for third at 1.57 ppg and Ward is tied for fifth at 1.50 ppg.
LIGHTING THE LAMP: The NCHC is home to three of the top seven scoring teams in men’s NCAA hockey. Denver is first nationally, averaging 4.42 goals per game, while Omaha is sixth at 4.00 gpg. Western Michigan is right behind in seventh averaging 3.93 goals per game.
FRESHMAN PHENOMS: Denver forwards Carter Mazur and Massimo Rizzo are two of five freshmen in men’s NCAA hockey with seven goals this season, which ties for the most goals by any men’s rookie nationally.
Mazur was the NCHC Rookie of the Month for November, while Rizzo earned it for October. Rizzo’s 16 points (7g/9a) are second nationally among rookies this season.
POWERFUL POWER PLAY: Four of the most potent power-play units in the country play in the NCHC, led by St. Cloud State, which is tops in D-I men’s hockey with a 33.9 percent success rate (20/59) on the man advantage. Omaha is sixth at 29.3 percent (22/75), while Western Michigan ranks 11th at 25.4 percent (17/67). Denver is tied for 12th
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nationally at 25.0 percent (13/52). Omaha’s 22 power play goals are the most in the country, while SCSU’s 20 are second-most.
SERVING UP BAGELS: Seven different NCHC netminders have already recorded a shutout this season, including four with their first career shutout. Minnesota Duluth junior Ryan Fanti, who earned his first career shutout Nov. 6 at Western Michigan, pitched three straight whitewashes from Nov. 6-13, but saw his 189-minute shutout streak snapped on Nov.
19 at North Dakota. Fanti added a fourth clean sheet Nov. 27 vs. Alaska as he is tied for third nationally with four shutouts. He became the first UMD and NCHC netminder to record three straight shutouts since fellow Bulldog Hunter Shepard in the 2017-18 season.
Western Michigan junior Brandon Bussi, who earned his first career clean sheet Oct. 8 against Ferris State, now has two on the season after blanking St. Cloud State Nov. 20. Omaha junior Isaiah Saville also has two whitewashes so far. Along with Fanti and Bussi, Colorado College junior Matt Vernon earned his first career shutout on Nov. 13 at UMD, while Denver freshman Matt Davis recorded his first whitewash on Oct.
16 vs. Air Force.
SCSU grad student goalie David Hrenak notched his 12th career shutout on Oct. 3 against St. Thomas, which ties him for second in NCHC history with former North Dakota goalie Cam Johnson (2014-18). Former Minnesota Duluth netminder Hunter Shepard holds the NCHC record with 17 career shutouts (2016-20).
North Dakota senior Zach Driscoll logged his first shutout for UND and 11th of his career Oct. 9 against Niagara.
WHOA-VERTIME: Of the 12 non-conference contests involving an NCHC team to require extra time this season, NCHC teams have won only three overtime games, most recently Minnesota Duluth, 1-0, over Alaska on Nov. 27. NCHC teams are 3-6-3 in overtime in non-conference games this season (.375), with the six losses making up 30 percent of the NCHC’s total non-conference losses this season (6 of 20).
FOUR SCORE: Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank tied an NCHC record with four goals and tallied a career-high five points in WMU’s 6-2 win over St. Cloud State on Nov. 19. Frank became the fourth player ever to score four goals in an NCHC conference game, with current SCSU senior Nolan Walker the last to do it on Jan. 23, 2021 against Miami. Frank is the fourth NCHC player to tally a hat trick this season (his was a natural hat trick) and the second Bronco to do so.
Two different NCHC players recorded a hat trick on Halloween weekend (Oct. 29-30) in WMU junior defenseman Ronnie Attard on Oct. 29 at Colgate and Omaha senior forward Taylor Ward on Oct. 30 against Long Island. Attard is only the second NCHC defenseman ever to record a hat trick, joining current senior blue liner and teammate Michael Joyaux, who achieved a hat trick last season. Attard is also one of only two men’s NCAA defensemen with a hat trick this season (Merrimack’s Zach Vinnell). Denver sophomore forward Carter Savoie was the first NCHC player with a hat trick this season on Oct. 16 against Air Force.
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL: A total of 37 NCHC alumni earned a spot on NHL opening-day rosters announced Oct. 12, while 56 alumni of NCHC teams start the season in the NHL. All eight NCHC teams had at least two alums make an NHL roster, while 22 NHL teams had at least one NCHC alumnus on its roster and 25 had an alum of an NCHC team.
North Dakota led all NCHC teams with 16 alumni on rosters, 10 of which played in the NCHC.
Six former NCHC players have made their NHL debut so far this season, including five in the last month+: Jon Lizotte (SCSU) with Minnesota on Oct. 28, Riley Tufte (UMD) with Dallas Nov. 13, Scott Perunovich (UMD) with St. Louis Nov. 16, Grant Hutton (Miami) with the New York Islanders
on Nov. 20 and Josiah Slavin (CC) most recently with Chicago on Dec. 2.
CAN WE GET SOME GOALS PLEASE?: Colorado College and Minnesota Duluth played the first-ever scoreless conference game in NCHC history on Saturday, Nov. 13, with UMD earning the extra point in a shootout after the 0-0 overtime tie. The only other game involving an NCHC team to end in a 0-0 tie also involved the Bulldogs. On Oct. 14, 2017, UMD tied Bemidji State, 0-0, after overtime in Duluth. Last season on Jan. 9, 2021, St. Cloud State and UMD played a scoreless game in regulation, but SCSU tallied in overtime.
WARD’S AWARDS: Omaha senior forward Taylor Ward had a week to remember to open November, garnering three awards in three days, capped by earning Hockey Commissioners’ Association (HCA) Men’s National Player of the Month for October. Ward led men’s NCAA hockey with 10 goals and eight power play goals in the first month of the season, while tying for second with 16 points. Ward also earned NCHC Player of the Month for October and was tabbed NCHC Forward of the Week for the final week of October.
POWER PLAYER: St. Cloud State fifth-year senior forward Easton Brodzinski scored two power play goals against Wisconsin Oct. 22-23, giving him 24 power play goals in his career, which sets an NCHC career record. He breaks the previous mark of 23 power play goals, held by former Denver forward Jarid Lukosevicius (2015-19). Easton now has four more PPGs than his brother, Jonny, who played at SCSU from 2013-15.
NEW BENCH BOSSES: There are two new head coaches in the NCHC.
Colorado College welcomes Kris Mayotte as its new bench boss, while Western Michigan promoted Pat Ferschweiler to its head coach.
Mayotte was an assistant coach at Michigan the last two seasons, while Ferschweiler served as associate head coach for the Broncos.
Ferschweiler earned his first win as head coach Oct. 8 against Ferris State, while Mayotte collected his first win as bench boss on Oct. 22 at then-No. 10 Boston College.
SAVOIE’S SIX-PACK: Denver sophomore forward Carter Savoie set an NCHC record with six points (3g/3a) in DU’s 8-0 win over Air Force on Oct. 16. All six of his points came on DU’s first six goals, as he recorded his first career hat trick on DU’s fifth goal. An NCHC player had recorded five points in a game 20 times previously in NCHC history.
A DIRTY DOZEN: St. Cloud State set an NCHC record for goals in a game with 12 in its 12-2 season-opening win over Division I newcomer St. Thomas on Oct. 2 in St. Cloud. The 12 goals tied the SCSU program record. The Huskies also had a share of the previous NCHC record of 11, set on Nov. 14, 2015 at Western Michigan. Omaha also scored 11 goals against Miami in January of 2018.
SCSU’s 10-goal margin of victory vs. the Tommies tied an NCHC record, already set by SCSU twice. The Huskies topped WMU, 11-1, on Nov. 14, 2015 and won at Alabama-Huntsville, 10-0, on Nov. 15, 2013, 10-0.
FEELING A DRAFT: Eight current or incoming NCHC players heard their name called at the 2021 NHL Draft in July. Incoming Denver defenseman Shai Buium was first off the board among NCHC players, going 36th overall to Detroit in round 2. Minnesota Duluth rising sophomore blue liner Connor Kelley was the lone current NCHC player selected over the summer, going to Chicago in round 7. Six NCHC teams saw a player selected in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Overall, the NCHC will have 42 NHL draft picks playing in the conference this season, led by 12 at Denver. North Dakota has nine and Minnesota Duluth has seven. All eight NCHC teams have at least one draft pick on their roster this season: St. Cloud State (5), Omaha (4), Miami (2), Western Michigan (2) and Colorado College (1).
A FOREIGN AFFAIR: While the majority of student-athletes in the NCHC come from the United States, five other countries are also represented, including four in Europe: Canada (52), Sweden (6), Finland (3), Czech Republic (1) and Switzerland (1).
RISE UP: The NCHC has teamed up with RISE for the 2021- 22 season to help advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the conference and its member teams.
RISE is a national non-profit organization that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations. Through partnerships and programs, RISE aims to
inspire leaders in sports to create positive change on matters of race and equality.
Throughout the partnership, RISE will organize and operate a range of activities and educational programming for NCHC staff and member school men’s hockey student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators.
The programming will focus on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as topics such as identity, leadership and perspective taking.
NCHC t
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aptaiNs• Colorado College: Bryan Yoon, Sr., D – Parker, Colo.
Brian Hawkinson, Sr., F - Centennial, Colo.
• Denver: Cole Guttman, Sr., F – Los Angeles, Calif.
• Miami: Derek Daschke, Sr., D – Troy, Mich.
• Minnesota Duluth: Noah Cates, Sr., F - Stillwater, Minn.
• North Dakota: Mark Senden, Sr., F – Medina, Minn.
• Omaha: Kevin Conley, Gr., F – Wausau, Wis.
• St. Cloud State: Spencer Meier, Sr., D – Sartell, Minn.
• Western Michigan: Paul Washe, Gr., F – Clarkston, Mich.
Noah Cates, Kevin Conley, Spencer Meier and Paul Washe are all serving as team captain for the second straight season.
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warded to the NCHC regular season champion, the Julie and Spencer Penrose Memorial Cup (right) serves as the league’s crowning achievement. The Cup is named after Julie and Spencer Penrose, who were tremendously successful in the business world and did much of it in Colorado Springs in the early 1900s. The couple made much of their money in the copper industry, which is why the trophy includes copper stars on it. The Penroses also set up the El Pomar Foundation, which still today helps pay for amateur sports and other non-profits, including the NCHC office located in the Copper Building next to the Penrose House on the grounds of the Penrose compound inColorado Springs. The El Pomar Foundation has also issued grants for the Penrose Cup, medallions for each individual champion and the NCHC’s annual Post-Graduate Scholarship. North Dakota has now won back-to- back Penrose Cups (2019-20 and 2020-21), winning it for the fourth time (2014-15, 2015-16). St. Cloud State has won the Penrose Cup three times (2013-14, 2017-18, 2018-19), while Denver is the only other team to win the Penrose Cup, claiming it in 2016-17.
Website: ...NCHCHockey.com Digital Network: ... NCHC.tv Headquarters: ... The Copper Building 1631 Mesa Ave., Suite C Colorado Springs, CO 80906 General Email: [email protected] Founded: ... July 13, 2011 Inaugural Season: ...2013-14 Commissioner: ...Josh Fenton Office Phone: ...719-418-2427 Email:... [email protected] Associate Commissioner: ... Michael Weisman Office Phone: ... 719-694-9924 Email:... [email protected] Digital Content & Creative Services Coordinator: ... Sam Kuhne Office Phone: ...719-418-2795 Email:... [email protected] Business Operations Manager: ...Verna Toller Office Phone: ... 719-203-6818 Email:... [email protected] Director of Officiating: ...Don Adam Office Phone: ... 719-203-6818 Email:[email protected] Regular-Season Trophy: ... Julie and Spencer Penrose Memorial Cup 2020-21 Regular-Season Champion: ...North Dakota 2021 Tournament Champion: ...North Dakota Tournament Championship: ... Frozen Faceoff 2022 Championship Site:... Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, Minn.
Championship Dates: ... March 18-19, 2022 Tickets: ...www.ticketmaster.com
2021 NCAA Tournament Teams: ... 4
NCAA Tournament Teams in NCHC History: ...27
2021 NCAA Frozen Four Participants: ... 2
NCAA Frozen Four Teams in NCHC History: ... 12
National Champions: ... 4 (North Dakota, 2016; Denver, 2017; Minnesota Duluth, 2018 & 2019)
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fter moving to a single-elimination format in 2021 and altering the location, the NCHC Tournament will return to its normal format, consisting of four quarterfinal series on the first weekend following regular-season play (March 11-13, 2022). The four higher seeds will host the four lower seeds in a best two-out-of- three format. Seed #1 will host Seed #8, Seed #2 will host Seed #7, Seed #3 willhost Seed #6, and Seed #4 will host Seed #5. The winners of the four quarterfinal series will advance to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn.
for the two semifinal games on Friday, March 18.
Semifinal games will be reseeded based on the final regular-season standings. The winners of the two semifinal games will then meet in the Championship Game (7:38 p.m. CT) on Saturday, March 19 for an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The 2018 NCHC Frozen Faceoff was named Visit Saint Paul’s Event of the Year for 2017-18. North Dakota won its first Frozen Faceoff last season on home ice, while Denver (2014 & 2018) and Minnesota Duluth have each won it twice (2017 & 2019).
2020-21 F iNaL NCHC S taNdiNgS
Conference Overall
Pts./GP Pts. GP W L T OW OL SW GF GA GP W L T Win % GF GA 1. North Dakota 2.25 54 24 18 5 1 2 1 0 94 47 29 22 6 1 .776 114 57 2. St. Cloud State 1.88 45 24 15 9 0 3 3 0 78 64 31 20 11 0 .645 101 84 3. Minnesota Duluth 1.79 43 24 13 9 2 1 2 1 72 54 28 15 11 2 .571 84 66 4. Omaha 1.67 40 24 14 9 1 4 0 1 79 69 26 14 11 1 .558 85 81 5. Denver 1.41 31 22 9 12 1 0 2 1 61 60 24 10 13 1 .438 67 66 6. Western Michigan 1.38 33 24 10 11 3 1 0 1 73 84 25 10 12 3 .460 77 89 7. Colorado College 0.82 18 22 4 16 2 0 2 2 35 77 23 4 17 2 .217 36 79 8. Miami 0.75 18 24 5 17 2 0 1 0 46 83 25 5 18 2 .240 48 89
Due to two teams not completing all 24 games, points-per-game (points/games played) were used to determine the order of the final standings.
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Colorado College Tigers (NR/NR)
Head Coach: Kris Mayotte (1st year) Record at CC: 2-7-3 2020-21 Record: 4-17-2 (4-16-2, 7th)
2021-22 Record: 2-7-3 (0-3-1, 0-1-0 NCHC, 8th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 21/8
• Colorado College earned one point at then-No. 4/4 Minnesota Duluth in its last games, falling in the series opener Nov. 12, 5-0, before playing to a 0-0 overtime tie on Nov. 13. The Tigers lost the shootout to UMD, 1-0, settling for a point. The Nov. 13 0-0 tie was the first scoreless con- test in Colorado College’s 83-year hockey history. CC has now played five overtime games this season, tops in the NCHC, going 0-2-3 in OT.
• Junior goaltender Matt Vernon made his first start of the season on Nov. 13 at UMD and recorded his first career shutout, stopping all 30 shots he faced in regulation and overtime. It was CC’s first shutout of the season, as well. Vernon saw his first action of the regular season a night earlier, entering in relief and allowing one goal in the final 29:54 of the 5-0 loss to the Bulldogs. On the weekend, Vernon posted a .974 save percentage and a 0.63 GAA against UMD.
• All but one of CC’s 26 goals this season have been scored by freshmen or sophomores. Junior Patrick Cozzi is the only upperclassmen to score for the Tigers. Sophomores have scored 17 of the team’s last 20 goals.
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 at No. 10/10 Omaha (11-3-0, 2-2-0 NCHC) - 6:07 p.m. MT Baxter Arena - Omaha, Neb. Stream: NCHC.tv Sat., Dec. 4 at No. 10/10 Omaha (11-3-0, 2-2-0 NCHC) - 6:07 p.m. MT Baxter Arena - Omaha, Neb. Stream: NCHC.tv Game Fact: After two weekends off, CC finally returns to action following a 19-day layoff with a pair of NCHC contests at Omaha. The Tigers and Mavericks met six times last season, with Omaha winning all six games (four at Baxter Arena), including one in overtime. CC’s last win over Oma- ha was Feb. 22, 2020 at Omaha, a 3-2 win.
Sat., Oct. 2 Air Force (Exh.) L, 1-2
Fri., Oct. 8 St. Lawrence L, 1-2
Sat., Oct. 9 St. Lawrence T, 1-1 (OT)
Fri., Oct. 15 at Union L, 1-2
Sat., Oct. 16 at Union T, 3-3 (OT)
Fri., Oct. 22 at No. 10/10 Boston College W, 5-3 Sat., Oct. 23 at No. 20 Northeastern L, 0-1
Fri., Oct. 29 at Air Force L, 4-5 (OT)
Sat., Oct. 30 Air Force W, 8-1
Fri., Nov. 5 No. 1/1 St. Cloud State* L, 2-3 (OT) Sat., Nov. 6 No. 1/1 St. Cloud State* L, 1-4 Fri., Nov. 12 at No. 4/4 Minnesota Duluth* L, 0-5 Sat., Nov. 13 at No. 4/4 Minnesota Duluth* T, 0-0 (OT/SOL) Fri., Dec. 3 at No. 10/10 Omaha* 6:07 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 at No. 10/10 Omaha* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10 North Dakota* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11 North Dakota* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 17 Arizona State 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 18 Arizona State 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 at Miami* 5:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 at Miami* 3:05 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 Western Michigan* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 Western Michigan* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 at Denver* 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 Denver* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 Omaha* 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 Omaha* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 4 at North Dakota* 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 5 at North Dakota* 5:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 Miami* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 Miami* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 at St. Cloud State* 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 at St. Cloud State* 5:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 Denver* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 at Denver* 7:00 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; * NCHC game; All times are MT and subject to change
Denver Pioneers (No. 12/11)
Head Coach: David Carle (4th year) Record at DU: 63-38-12 2020-21 Record: 10-13-1 (9-12-1, 5th)
2021-22 Record: 8-4-0 (4-2-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, 2nd) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 18/10
• Denver ran its win streak to four games, downing Miami by a com- bined score of 11-2 in its last games on Nov. 19-20. On Friday, Nov. 20 DU pulled away for a 4-1 win, while on Saturday the Pioneers erupted in the second period to cruise past the RedHawks, 7-1. With the wins, Denver remained perfect at home this season, improving to 7-0-0.
• Freshman forward Carter Mazur scored three goals in the sweep of Miami, including two on Saturday. He’s now riding a four-game goal streak with five goals in that span, after only two goals in his first eight games this season. Mazur was named NCHC Rookie of the Month for November after a 7-point month (5g/2a). He and fellow forward Massi- mo Rizzo tie for the NCAA rookie lead with seven goals this season.
• Sophomore forward Carter Savoie tallied a goal and an assist against Miami, stretching his point streak to four games. He ranks second in the NCAA averaging 1.58 points per game (19 points total), while his 11 goals tie for fourth nationally.
• DU is home to three of the top-scoring freshmen in the country. For- ward Massimo Rizzo is second in the NCAA with 16 points (1.33 ppg), while defenseman Sean Behrens is tied for eighth (11 points) and Carter Mazur is tied for 13th among NCAA rookies (10 points).
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 at Arizona State (7-7-0) - 7:05 p.m. MT
Oceanside Ice Arena - Tempe, Ariz. Stream: Pac-12.com Sat., Dec. 4 at Arizona State (7-7-0) - 7:05 p.m. MT
Oceanside Ice Arena - Tempe, Ariz. Stream: Pac-12.com Game Fact: Denver faces Arizona State for a second series this season.
DU downed ASU by scores of 8-3 and 4-3 in Denver back on Oct. 8-9.
Sat., Oct. 2 Lindenwood (Exh.) W, 9-1
Fri., Oct. 8 Arizona State W, 8-3
Sat., Oct. 9 Arizona State W, 4-3
Fri., Oct. 15 at Air Force W, 4-1
Sat., Oct. 16 Air Force W, 8-0
Fri., Oct. 22 at No. 12/14 Providence L, 5-6 Sat., Oct. 23 at No. 10/10 Boston College L, 1-5 Fri., Nov. 5 at No. 8/10 North Dakota* L, 1-3 Sat., Nov. 6 at No. 8/10 North Dakota* L, 1-4 Fri., Nov. 12 No. 9/10 Western Michigan* W, 5-3 Sat., Nov. 13 No. 9/10 Western Michigan* W, 5-2
Fri., Nov. 19 Miami* W, 4-1
Sat., Nov. 20 Miami* W, 7-1
Fri., Dec. 3 at Arizona State 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 at Arizona State 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10 at Minnesota Duluth* 6:07 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11 at Minnesota Duluth* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 31 Alaska 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 1 Alaska 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 at Omaha* 6:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 at Omaha* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 St. Cloud State* 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 St. Cloud State* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 Colorado College* 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 at Colorado College* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 at Miami* 5:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 at Miami* 3:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 11 Minnesota Duluth* 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 12 Minnesota Duluth* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 at Western Michigan* 5:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 at Western Michigan* 5:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 Omaha* 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 Omaha* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 at Colorado College* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 Colorado College* 7:00 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; * NCHC game; All times are MT and subject to change
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Miami RedHawks (NR/NR)
Head Coach: Chris Bergeron (3rd year) Record at MU: 16-49-8 2020-21 Record: 5-18-2 (5-17-2, 8th)
2021-22 Record: 3-10-1 (1-5-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, 7th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 20/7
• Miami split with Long Island last weekend in its first-ever meetings with the Sharks. The RedHawks lost the series opener, 7-4, on Friday, surrendering seven goals for a second straight game. Miami bounced back on Saturday, however, for a 4-1 win to snap a six-game losing streak. It was Miami’s first home win of the season.
• Sophomore defenseman Dylan Moulton dished out an assist each night against LIU. He now has points in five of his last six games, including two goals, after no points in his first eight games this season.
His five points this season (2g/3a) already top his freshman year total of two points last season (1g/1a).
• Junior Ryan Savage recorded his second multi-goal game of the season Friday, scoring the RedHawks’ first and last goals of the night vs.
LIU. Savage also lit the lamp twice in the season opener at Ferris State.
On Saturday, his freshman brother, Red Savage, scored his first career goal on a short-handed breakaway, which served as the game-winner.
The younger Savage was named NCHC Rookie of the Week for the second time this season for his efforts.
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 vs. No. 6/5 Western Michigan (10-4-0, 3-3-0 NCHC) - 7:05 p.m. ET Steve Cady Arena - Oxford, Ohio Stream: NCHC.tv Sat., Dec. 4 vs. No. 6/5 Western Michigan (10-4-0, 3-3-0 NCHC) - 5:05 p.m. ET Steve Cady Arena - Oxford, Ohio Stream: NCHC.tv Game Fact: Miami went 2-3-1 against Western Michigan last season, including 0-2-1 in Oxford with a shootout loss.
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (No. 1/1)
Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (22nd year) Record at UMD: 416-335-92 2020-21 Record: 15-11-2 (13-9-2, 3rd)
2021-22 Record: 10-3-1 (3-2-1, 0-0-1 NCHC, 3rd) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 21/4
• Minnesota Duluth swept Alaska last weekend at home, allowing only one goal all weekend. UMD took down the Nanooks, 5-1, on Friday, before battling for a 1-0 win in overtime Saturday, after a scoreless regulation. UMD has allowed only two goals in its last five home games, going 4-0-1 in that stretch.
• Junior goaltender Ryan Fanti recorded his fourth shutout of Novem- ber, the season and his career on Saturday against Alaska. He allowed only eight goals in eight November games to earn HCA National Goaltender of the Month honors. Fanti’s .946 save percentage and 1.25 goals-against average both rank third nationally.
• Senior captain Noah Cates scored both game-winning goals this past weekend against the Nanooks, including Saturday’s overtime winner.
On the season, Cates has five goals and six assists for 11 points in 14 games. His 11 points tie him with sophomore forward Blake Biondi for the team lead.
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 at Northern Michigan (8-6-1, 6-5-1 CCHA) - 5:37 p.m. CT Berry Events Center - Marquette, Mich. Stream: FloHockey Sat., Dec. 4 at Northern Michigan (8-6-1, 6-5-1 CCHA) - 5:37 p.m. CT Berry Events Center - Marquette, Mich. Stream: FloHockey Game Fact: UMD remains in non-conference play this weekend at Northern Michigan. The teams last met in January of 2016, splitting in Marquette. UMD has won four of its last five meetings with the Wildcats and leads the all-time series with NMU, 36-34-4.
Sat., Oct. 2 at Ferris State W, 7-4
Sun., Oct. 3 at Ferris State L, 3-4 (OT)
Fri., Oct. 15 at Michigan State L, 1-3
Sat., Oct. 16 at Michigan State L, 1-2
Fri., Oct. 22 Bowling Green T, 2-2 (OT)
Sat., Oct. 23 at Bowling Green L, 4-6
Fri., Nov. 5 at No. 9/7 Omaha* W, 4-3
Sat., Nov. 6 at No. 9/7 Omaha* L, 1-4
Fri., Nov. 12 No. 7/7 North Dakota* L, 1-4 Sat., Nov. 13 No. 7/7 North Dakota* L, 4-5 Fri., Nov. 19 at No. 11/12 Denver* L, 1-4 Sat., Nov. 20 at No. 11/12 Denver* L, 1-7
Fri., Nov. 26 Long Island L, 4-7
Sat., Nov. 27 Long Island W, 4-1
Fri., Dec. 3 No. 6/5 Western Michigan* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 No. 6/5 Western Michigan* 5:05 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 12 at Mercyhurst 3:05 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 4 Mercyhurst 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 Colorado College* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 Colorado College* 5:05 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 at Minnesota Duluth* 8:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 at Minnesota Duluth* 8:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 at St. Cloud State* 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 at St. Cloud State* 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 Denver* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 Denver* 5:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 11 Omaha* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 12 Omaha* 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 at Colorado College* 9:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 at Colorado College* 8:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 Minnesota Duluth* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 Minnesota Duluth* 5:05 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 at Western Michigan* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 at Western Michigan* 7:05 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; * NCHC game; All times are ET and subject to change
Sun., Oct. 3 vs. No. 11/12 Wisconsin& (Exh.) W, 4-2 Fri., Oct. 8 at No. 15 Bemidji State W, 4-2 Sat., Oct. 9 No. 15 Bemidji State W, 2-1 Fri., Oct. 15 No. 3/3 Michigan% L, 1-5 Sat., Oct. 16 No. 10/10 Providence% W, 3-2 Fri., Oct. 22 at No. 4/4 Minnesota W, 5-3 Sat., Oct. 23 No. 4/4 Minnesota W, 2-1 Fri., Nov. 5 at No. 10/11 Western Michigan* L, 3-4 Sat., Nov. 6 at No. 10/11 Western Michigan* W, 3-0 Fri., Nov. 12 Colorado College* W, 5-0 Sat., Nov. 13 Colorado College* T, 0-0 (OT/SOW) Fri., Nov. 19 at No. 6/6 North Dakota* W, 4-1 Sat., Nov. 20 at No. 6/6 North Dakota* L, 1-2 Fri., Nov. 26 Alaska Fairbanks W, 5-1 Sat., Nov. 27 Alaska Fairbanks W, 1-0 (OT) Fri., Dec. 3 at Northern Michigan 5:37 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 at Northern Michigan 5:37 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10 Denver* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11 Denver* 7:07 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 30 at Minnesota State 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 1 Minnesota State 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 at St. Cloud State* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 at St. Cloud State* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 Miami* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 Miami* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 at Omaha* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 at Omaha* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 Western Michigan* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 Western Michigan* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 11 at Denver* 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 12 at Denver* 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 North Dakota* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 North Dakota* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 at Miami* 6:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 at Miami* 4:05 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 St. Cloud State* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 St. Cloud State* 7:07 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; * NCHC game; & exhibition in Chippewa Falls, WI;
% Ice Breaker Tournament (Duluth, MN); All times CT and subject to change
North Dakota Fighting Hawks (No. 7/7)
Head Coach: Brad Berry (7th year) Record at UND: 148-68-24 2020-21 Record: 22-6-1 (18-5-1, 1st)
2021-22 Record: 10-5-0 (5-1-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, 1st) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 13/13
• North Dakota split its second straight series at home last weekend, dropping a 5-1 decision to rival Minnesota in Friday’s opener, before bouncing back for a 3-2 win on Saturday. With the win, UND made it 22 straight home series without being swept. It also kept its success going against its rival, moving to 5-1-0 in the last six games vs. Minnesota.
UND has not been swept by the Gophers since 2011.
• After UND suffered its worst non-conference loss at home since 2014, senior captain Mark Senden took it upon himself on Saturday, scoring a pair of goals and adding an assist in the 3-2 win. It was his first collegiate multi-goal game and first since he was a high school player in 2015.
• Center Connor Ford dominated the dots last weekend vs. the Gophers, winning 13-of-23 on Friday night before a whopping 19-for-23 perfor- mance in the finale. The senior leads the nation with 214 wins and his 63.9 winning percentage is sixth among players with at least 20 victories.
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 at No. 5/6 St. Cloud State (9-5-0, 3-3-0 NCHC) - 7:30 p.m. CT Herb Brooks National Hockey Center - St. Cloud, Minn. TV: Midco Sports Sat., Dec. 4 at No. 5/6 St. Cloud State (9-5-0, 3-3-0 NCHC) - 6:00 p.m. CT Herb Brooks National Hockey Center - St. Cloud, Minn. TV: Midco Sports Game Fact: UND resumes conference play at St. Cloud State in a top-10 tilt. The teams met three times last season, with UND winning twice, first in OT in the Pod and then in the Frozen Faceoff championship game.
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Omaha Mavericks (No. 10/10)
Head Coach: Mike Gabinet (5th year) Record at UNO: 65-72-11 2020-21 Record: 14-11-1 (14-9-1, 4th)
2021-22 Record: 11-3-0 (2-2-0, 1-0-0 NCHC, 6th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 21/8
• Omaha earned its first road sweep of the season in its last games on Nov. 19-20, taking down Alaska twice in Fairbanks by scores of 5-2 and 4-2. With the wins, UNO completes a four-game season sweep of the Nanooks after also knocking off UAF in Omaha on Oct. 15 and 17.
Omaha is now 9-1-0 in non-conference play this season.
• Freshman forward Cameron Berg tallied four points at Alaska on three goals and an assist. He scored two goals on Friday, Nov. 19 for his first career multi-goal game, then had two more points Saturday for his first two multi-point games as a Maverick. Berg now has nine points on the season (6g/3a) to lead all UNO freshmen.
• Senior Taylor Ward notched an assist in the series finale at Alaska.
He ranks fifth nationally averaging 1.50 points per game. Despite not scoring a goal at Alaska, Ward is still tied for third in the NCAA with 12 goals this season. He also sits on 97 career points (50g/47a), needing three more to join the Century Club.
• The Mavericks rank sixth nationally on the power play at 29.3% (22- for-75), with the 22 power-play goals tops in the NCAA.
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 vs. Colorado College (2-7-3, 0-3-1 NCHC) - 7:07 p.m. CT Baxter Arena - Omaha, Neb. Stream: NCHC.tv Sat., Dec. 4 vs. Colorado College (2-7-3, 0-3-1 NCHC) - 7:07 p.m. CT Baxter Arena - Omaha, Neb. Stream: NCHC.tv Game Fact: Omaha returns to action this weekend, hosting Colorado College. The Mavericks went 6-0-0 against CC last season.
Sat., Oct. 2 Lake Superior State L, 3-4 (OT) Sun., Oct. 3 Lake Superior State W, 3-0
Fri., Oct. 8 Maine W, 4-1
Sat., Oct. 9 Maine W, 5-3
Fri., Oct. 15 Alaska W, 3-2 (OT)
Sun., Oct. 17 Alaska W, 5-1
Fri., Oct. 29 Long Island W, 6-0
Sat., Oct. 30 Long Island W, 7-1
Fri., Nov. 5 Miami* L, 3-4
Sat., Nov. 6 Miami* W, 4-1
Fri., Nov. 12 at No. 1/1 St. Cloud State* L, 1-5 Sat., Nov. 13 at No. 1/1 St. Cloud State* W, 3-2 (OT)
Fri., Nov. 19 at Alaska W, 5-2
Sat., Nov. 20 at Alaska W, 4-2
Fri., Dec. 3 Colorado College* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 Colorado College* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10 at Western Michigan* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11 at Western Michigan* 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 31 at St. Lawrence 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 1 at St. Lawrence 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 Denver* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 Denver* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 at North Dakota* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 at North Dakota* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 at Colorado College* 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 at Colorado College* 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 11 at Miami* 6:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 12 at Miami* 6:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 St. Cloud State* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 St. Cloud State* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 at Denver* 8:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 at Denver* 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 North Dakota* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 North Dakota* 7:07 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; * NCHC game; All times are CT and subject to change Sat., Oct. 2 No. 14/15 Bemidji State (Exh.) W, 2-1
Fri., Oct. 8 Niagara W, 6-2
Sat., Oct. 9 Niagara W, 4-0
Fri., Oct. 15 at No. 20 Bemidji State W, 4-3 Sat., Oct. 16 No. 20 Bemidji State L, 3-4 (OT) Fri., Oct. 22 at No. 7/7 Quinnipiac L, 2-5 Sat., Oct. 23 at No. 7/7 Quinnipiac W, 3-1
Sat., Oct. 30 vs. Penn State% L, 4-6
Fri., Nov. 5 No. 11/13 Denver* W, 3-1 Sat., Nov. 6 No. 11/13 Denver* W, 4-1
Fri., Nov. 12 at Miami* W, 4-1
Sat., Nov. 13 at Miami* W, 5-4
Fri., Nov. 19 No. 4/4 Minnesota Duluth* L, 1-4 Sat., Nov. 20 No. 4/4 Minnesota Duluth* W, 2-1 Fri., Nov. 26 No. 11/12 Minnesota L, 1-5 Sat., Nov. 27 No. 11/12 Minnesota W, 3-2 Fri., Dec. 3 at No. 5/6 St. Cloud State* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 at No. 5/6 St. Cloud State* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10 at Colorado College* 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11 at Colorado College* 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 1 U.S. Under-18 Team (Exh.) 2:37 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 Cornell 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 Cornell 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 Omaha* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 Omaha* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 at Western Michigan* 6:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 at Western Michigan* 6:05 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 St. Cloud State* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 St. Cloud State* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 4 Colorado College* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 5 Colorado College* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 Western Michigan* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 Western Michigan* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 at Omaha* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 at Omaha* 6:07 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; % U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game (Nashville, TN);
* NCHC game; All times CT and subject to change
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St. Cloud State Huskies (No. 5/6)
Head Coach: Brett Larson (4th year) Record at SCSU: 72-37-9 2020-21 Record: 20-11-0 (15-9-0, 2nd)
2021-22 Record: 9-5-0 (3-3-0, 1-1-0 NCHC, t-4th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 23/4
• St. Cloud State was swept for the first time this season in its last games, dropping both games at Western Michigan on Nov. 19-20. SCSU fell, 6-2, on Friday, Nov. 19, then was shut out for the second time this season on Saturday, 4-0. The Huskies have now been swept by WMU in Kalamazoo each of the last three seasons.
• The Huskies scored on the power play in the opener at WMU and are second nationally (behind Omaha) with 20 power-play goals this season.
SCSU’s 33.9% success rate (20-for-59) on the power play is tops in the NCAA. Ten different Huskies have scored a power-play goal so far, led by senior forward Kevin Fitzgerald and junior forward Zach Okabe, who have four PPGs each, a mark which ties for ninthh in the nation. Okabe scored SCSU’s power-play goal at WMU on Nov. 19.
• SCSU is tied for the NCAA lead with Ferris State with five short-hand- ed goals on the season. Senior forward Micah Miller has two
short-handed goals this year, tying for first in the NCAA, while he also has a short-handed assist.
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 vs. No. 7/7 North Dakota (10-5-0, 5-1-0 NCHC) - 7:30 p.m. CT Herb Brooks National Hockey Center - St. Cloud, Minn. TV: FOX9+
Sat., Dec. 4 vs. No. 7/7 North Dakota (10-5-0, 5-1-0 NCHC) - 6:00 p.m. CT Herb Brooks National Hockey Center - St. Cloud, Minn. TV: FOX9+
Game Fact: SCSU returns to action hosting North Dakota for a top- 10 tilt in St. Cloud. The teams met three times last season, with the Huskies going 1-2-0 against UND, including an overtime loss in the Pod in Omaha, Neb. and a loss in the Frozen Faceoff title game. SCSU won and tied against UND in their last home meetings on Feb. 21-22, 2020.
Western Michigan Broncos (No. 6/5)
Head Coach: Pat Ferschweiler (1st year) Record at WMU: 10-4-0 2020-21 Record: 10-12-3 (10-11-3, 6th)
2021-22 Record: 10-4-0 (3-3-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, t-4th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 22/5
• Western Michigan stretched its win streak to four games with a sweep at St. Lawrence last weekend. The Broncos scored a season-high eight goals in an 8-2 win on Friday, before rolling to a 5-1 win on Saturday.
The eight goals were WMU’s most since potting eight on March 7, 2020 at Miami to close the regular season.
• Grad student forward Ethen Frank scored three goals at St. Lawrence and now leads the country with 15 goals and 1.07 goals per game. He tallied nine goals in November to earn NCHC Player of the Month hon- ors, and also topped 100 points for his career with his second goal at SLU Saturday (now has 101 career points).
• Senior forward Drew Worrad tallied six points (1g/5a) at St. Lawrence.
He now leads the country with both 25 points (5g/20a) this season and a 1.79 points per game average. Worrad’s 20 assists tie for the NCAA lead on the season, while his 1.43 assists per game lead the way.
This Week’s Games:
Fri., Dec. 3 at Miami (3-10-1, 1-5-0 NCHC) - 7:05 p.m. ET Steve Cady Arena - Oxford, Ohio Stream: NCHC.tv Sat., Dec. 4 at Miami (3-10-1, 1-5-0 NCHC) - 5:05 p.m. ET Steve Cady Arena - Oxford, Ohio Stream: NCHC.tv Game Fact: Western Michigan remains on the road this weekend for two games at rival Miami. The Broncos went 2-0-1 in Oxford last season, claiming eight of nine possible points. WMU leads the all-time series with Miami, 73-70-13, including 11-2-2 in their last 15 meetings.
Sat., Oct. 2 St. Thomas W, 12-2
Sun., Oct. 3 vs. St. Thomas% W, 2-0
Fri., Oct. 8 at No. 1/2 Minnesota State L, 0-1 Sat., Oct. 9 at No. 1/2 Minnesota State W, 3-1 Fri., Oct. 15 at No. 4/4 Minnesota W, 2-1 Sat., Oct. 16 No. 4/4 Minnesota L, 3-4 (OT)
Fri., Oct. 22 Wisconsin W, 5-1
Sat., Oct. 23 Wisconsin W, 4-1
Fri., Nov. 5 at Colorado College* W, 3-2 (OT)
Sat., Nov. 6 at Colorado College* W, 4-1
Fri., Nov. 12 No. 11/11 Omaha* W, 5-1 Sat., Nov. 13 No. 11/11 Omaha* L, 2-3 (OT) Fri., Nov. 19 at No. 13/13 Western Michigan* L, 2-6 Sat., Nov. 20 at No. 13/13 Western Michigan* L, 0-4 Fri., Dec. 3 No. 7/7 North Dakota* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 No. 7/7 North Dakota* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 31 at Bemidji State 6:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 1 Bemidji State 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 7 Minnesota Duluth 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 8 Minnesota Duluth 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 14 at Denver* 9:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 at Denver* 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 Miami* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 Miami* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 at North Dakota* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 at North Dakota* 6:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 4 Western Michigan* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 5 Western Michigan* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 at Omaha* 7:07 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 at Omaha* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 Colorado College* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 Colorado College* 6:00 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 at Minnesota Duluth* 7:07 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; * NCHC game; All times are CT and subject to change;
% game at Xcel Energy Center (St. Paul, MN)
Sat., Oct. 2 at Ohio State (Exhib.) W, 3-1
Fri., Oct. 8 Ferris State W, 4-0
Sat., Oct. 9 at Ferris State W, 4-3
Fri., Oct. 22 at No. 1/1 Michigan W, 5-2 Sat., Oct. 23 No. 1/1 Michigan L, 2-3 (OT)
Fri., Oct. 29 at Colgate W, 6-5
Sat., Oct. 30 at Colgate W, 2-1 (OT)
Fri., Nov. 5 No. 4/3 Minnesota Duluth* W, 4-3 Sat., Nov. 6 No. 4/3 Minnesota Duluth* L, 0-3
Fri., Nov. 12 at No. 14 Denver* L, 3-5
Sat., Nov. 13 at No. 14 Denver* L, 2-5
Fri., Nov. 19 No. 2/2 St. Cloud State* W, 6-2 Sat., Nov. 20 No. 2/2 St. Cloud State* W, 4-0
Fri., Nov. 26 at St. Lawrence W, 8-2
Sat., Nov. 27 at St. Lawrence W, 5-1
Fri., Dec. 3 at Miami* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 4 at Miami* 5:05 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 10 Omaha* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 11 Omaha* 7:05 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 29 at Michigan State% TBA
Thu., Dec. 30 at Michigan% TBA
Fri., Jan. 14 at Colorado College* 9:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 15 at Colorado College* 8:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 21 North Dakota* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 22 North Dakota* 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 28 at Minnesota Duluth* 8:07 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 29 at Minnesota Duluth* 8:07 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 4 at St. Cloud State* 8:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 5 at St. Cloud State* 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 18 Denver* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 19 Denver* 7:05 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 25 at North Dakota* 8:07 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 26 at North Dakota* 7:07 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 4 Miami* 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 5 Miami* 7:05 p.m.
March 11-13 NCHC Quarterfinals (campus sites) TBA March 18-19 NCHC Frozen Faceoff (St. Paul, MN) TBA Home Games in Bold; * NCHC game; % Great Lakes Invitational
All times are ET and subject to change
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WEEK OF FORWARD DEFENSEMAN GOALTENDER ROOKIE
Oct. 2-3 Zach Okabe, Jr., SCSU Derek Daschke, Sr., Miami Isaiah Saville, Jr., Omaha Mason Salquist, F, SCSU
Oct. 4-10 Ethen Frank, Gr., WMU Jake Sanderson, So., UND Dávid Hrenák, Gr., SCSU Massimo Rizzo, F, DU/Jake Schmaltz, F, UND Oct. 11-17 Carter Savoie, So., Denver Sean Behrens, Fr., Denver Isaiah Saville, Jr.,. Omaha Jack Peart, D, SCSU
Oct. 18-24 Blake Biondi, So., UMD Michael Joyaux, Sr., WMU Dominic Basse, So., CC Red Savage, F, Miami Oct. 25-31 Taylor Ward, Sr., Omaha Ronnie Attard, Jr., WMU Isaiah Saville, Jr., Omaha Brett Chorske, F, CC Nov. 1-7 Tanner Laderoute, Sr., UMD Seamus Donohue, Gr., SCSU Zach Driscoll, Sr., UND Matteo Costantini, F, UND Nov. 8-14 Carter Savoie, So., Denver Jake Sanderson, So., UND Ryan Fanti, Jr., UMD Carter Mazur, F, Denver Nov. 15-21 Ethen Frank, Gr., WMU Mike Benning, So., DU (co) Brandon Bussi, Jr., WMU Cameron Berg, F, Omaha
Michael Joyaux, Sr., WMU (co)
Nov. 22-28 Drew Worrad, Sr., WMU Aidan Fulp, So., WMU Ryan Fanti, Jr., UMD Red Savage, F, Miami
NCHC p
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Forward of the Week Co-Defenseman of the Week Goaltender of the Week Rookie of the Week
1G, 5A, 6 SOG, +3 Worrad continued his stellar senior campaign by racking up six points in a sweep at St. Lawrence over the weekend. On Friday, he tallied a season-high four points in an 8-2 victory. He dished out three assists, including on the game-winning goal, and scored WMU’s fifth goal of the game. A night later in a 5-1 win, Worrad handed out two more help- ers, again setting up the game-win- ner and assisting on WMU’s final goal of the night.
Worrad finished the series with a goal, five assists, six shots on goal and a +3 plus/minus. On the season, he leads the country with both 25 points (in 14 games) and 1.79 points per game, while his 20 assists this year tie for the NCAA lead.
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1G, 2A, 3 SOG, +3, 10/11 PK Fulp chipped in three points and played a key role on WMU’s blue line in the Broncos’ sweep at St.
Lawrence last weekend. Offen- sively, Fulp dished out an assist in Friday’s 8-2 thrashing, then set up the game’s first goal Saturday and scored WMU’s fourth goal in a 5-1 victory for his first multi-point game of the season. Defensive- ly, he helped limit the Saints to only three goals all weekend and logged big minutes on a penalty kill unit that finished the series 10-for-11, including 6-for-7 Friday and 4-for-4 on Saturday.
The sophomore doubled his goal total on the season and quadru- pled his point total as he now has four points this year (2g/2a).
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ulp Western MichiganSophomore Defenseman Westfield, Ind.
2-0-0, 0.50 GAA, .966 SV%, 29 SVs Fanti was nearly perfect against Alaska, backstopping UMD to a sweep of the Nanooks while allowing only one goal on the weekend and none even strength.
On Friday, he made 10 saves and allowed only a power-play goal in a 5-1 victory. A night later, Fanti stopped all 19 shots he faced in a 1-0 overtime win for his fourth career shutout, all of which have come in the last month.
Fanti finished the series with a 2-0-0 record, totaling 29 saves on 30 shots for a .966 save percentage, while posting a 0.50 goals-against average.
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anti Minnesota DuluthJunior Goaltender Thunder Bay, Ont.
1G, 1 SOG, 2 BLKs, E, 11-9 FOs Savage scored his first collegiate goal to power Miami to a win and split against Long Island over the weekend. After being held off the board Friday, the Detroit Red Wings draft pick tallied his first goal as a RedHawk Saturday with a short-handed, breakaway goal in the first period. It doubled Miami’s lead to 2-0 in an eventual 4-1 win, with Savage’s tally serving as the game-winner.
Savage scored his goal on his only shot on goal of the weekend, while also blocking two shots, with one block each game. The centerman was also strong in the faceoff circle, going 11-9 on his 20 draws for a .550 win percentage.
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Forward of the Week
Noah Cates, Sr., UMD Ryan Savage, Jr., Miami Mark Senden, Sr., UND
Defenseman of the Week
Connor Kelley, So., UMD Dylan Moulton, So., Miami
Goaltender of the Week
Brandon Bussi, Jr., WMU Logan Neaton, Jr., Miami
Rookie of the Week
Jake Schmaltz, F, UND
