NCHC WEEKLY RELEASE

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 December 13-19, 2021 Volume 9, Issue 12

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Conference Overall

Pts. GP W L T OW OL SW Win % GF GA GP W L T Win % GF GA 1. North Dakota 24 10 8 2 0 0 0 0 .800 34 26 19 13 6 0 .684 64 54 2. Western Michigan 18 10 6 4 0 0 0 0 .600 34 27 18 13 5 0 .722 70 44 3. Denver 15 8 5 3 0 0 0 0 .625 30 20 16 11 5 0 .688 73 41 4. Minnesota Duluth 14 8 4 3 1 0 0 1 .563 22 14 18 11 6 1 .639 51 39 5. St. Cloud State 12 8 4 4 0 1 1 0 .500 27 23 16 10 6 0 .625 58 34 6. Omaha 11 8 4 4 0 1 0 0 .500 18 23 18 13 5 0 .722 63 39 7. Colorado College 5 8 1 6 1 0 1 0 .188 13 25 16 3 10 3 .281 36 43 8. Miami 3 8 1 7 0 0 0 0 .125 18 38 17 4 12 1 .265 51 71

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. 17

Arizona State at Colorado College, 7:30 p.m. MT TV: AT&T SportsNet & TSN2 (Canada) Saturday, Dec. 18

Arizona State at Colorado College, 6:00 p.m. MT

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Friday, Dec. 10

*at No. 4/4 Western Michigan 4, No. 14/14 Omaha 2

*No. 11/10 Denver 5, at No. 5/5 Minnesota Duluth 0

*No. 7/7 North Dakota 5, at Colorado College 2 Saturday, Dec. 11

*No. 14/14 Omaha 1, at No. 4/4 Western Michigan 0

*at No. 5/5 Minnesota Duluth 6, No. 11/10 Denver 2

*No. 7/7 North Dakota 4, at Colorado College 1 Sunday, Dec. 12

Miami 7, at Mercyhurst 4

*Conference game

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Only one NCHC team is in action this weekend with Colorado College hosting Arizona State at Ed Robson Arena. CC is 1-2-1 all-time against ASU, including 1-0-1 in Colorado Springs. After CC’s series this weekend, the next NCHC team in action is No. 4 Western Michigan taking part in the Great Lakes Invitational on Wednesday, Dec. 29.

Denver leads the country averaging 4.56 goals per game this season. The Pioneers have 73 goals in just 16 games. Denver has scored at least five goals in nine of its 16 games this year.

Five NCHC teams are ranked in the top eight of both national polls. Western Michigan leads the way at No. 4, followed by North Dakota, Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State and Denver in spots 5 through 8, respectively. Six NCHC teams are ranked overall in both national polls, with Omaha also in the top 15.

Seven NCHC players were selected to the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team, the most in conference history (previously six in 2018). Five NCHC teams will be represented at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Alberta, Canada, with two players each from North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth, and one each from Denver, Miami and St. Cloud State. The U.S. begins competition on Sunday, Dec. 26 against Slovakia.

Denver junior Magnus Chrona recorded his first shutout of the season last Friday, while fellow junior Isaiah Saville of Omaha logged his third of the season on Saturday. Nine different NCHC goaltenders have now recorded a shutout this season, including two each from Colorado College and Denver. The nine netminders have combined for 15 whitewashes this year. Last season, only seven different NCHC goalies had a shutout, however each of the three seasons prior (2017-20) 10 NCHC goalies recorded one.

Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank leads men’s NCAA hockey with 17 goals this season, as do his 0.94 gpg.

Of Colorado College’s 36 goals this season, 31 goals have been scored by freshmen or sophomores. Sophomores have scored 22 of CC’s last 30 goals.

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Watch both games this weekend on NCHC.tv. See the full schedule on page 14.

Friday, Dec. 17: Arizona State at Colorado College, 7:30 p.m. MT Saturday, Dec. 18: Arizona State at Colorado College, 6:00 p.m. MT

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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 55812

University 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 58202

St. 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 56301-4498

Western 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: ...719-418-2795

Cell: ...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 80906

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ONLY GAME IN TOWN: Only one NCHC team is in action this weekend with Colorado College hosting Arizona State in a non-conference series Friday and Saturday at Ed Robson Arena. Saturday’s series finale is the only Division I men’s NCAA hockey game on the entire schedule. The Tigers are 1-2-1 all-time against ASU.

PAUSE THE PURSUIT OF THE PENROSE: We’re just over a third of the way through the conference slate with 34 of 96 games played heading into the holiday break. North Dakota sits on top of the NCHC standings at the break and is looking to become the first NCHC team to win three straight Penrose Cups. The team in first place at the December holiday break has won the Penrose Cup six of eight times, with 2016-17 the last time a team not in first on New Year’s Day won the Penrose (Denver was in second and won the Cup in 2017).

NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS: Miami defeated Mercyhurst on Sunday in the lone non-conference game involving an NCHC team last weekend.

NCHC teams have now combined for a .664 win percentage in non- conference play this season, second-best among the six Division I men’s hockey conferences (Big Ten at .691). NCHC teams have gone 45-22-3 in non-conference play to date in non-conference play, with the 45 wins the most among all conferences. NCHC teams are 4-0-0 against Arizona State this season with Denver winning all four meetings. (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 10th straight week, including five teams in the top eight in both national polls. Six NCHC teams are also once again ranked in the USA Hockey Magazine Poll, double that of any other conference. Western Michigan is the highest ranked NCHC team at No. 4 in both polls, tying the program record for its highest ever ranking (2011). (polls on Page 12)

GOING FOR GOLD: Seven NCHC players were named to the 2022 U.S.

National Junior Team that will compete at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Alberta, Canada from Dec. 26-Jan. 5. The seven NCHC skaters on Team USA are the most in NCHC history. Five teams are represented with two players each from North Dakota and Minnesota Duluth, and one each from Denver, Miami and St. Cloud State. Three of the seven are sophomores while four are freshmen. Four are defensemen and three are forwards.

Two of the seven 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 seven players selected for 2022 are:

• Dominic James, Fr., F, UMD (draft-eligible/Plymouth, Mich.)

• Wyatt Kaiser, So., D, UMD (Chicago Blackhawks/Ham Lake, Minn.)

• Tyler Kleven, So., D, UND (Ottawa Senators/Fargo, N.D.)

• Carter Mazur, Fr., F, Denver (Detroit Red Wings/Jackson, Mich.)

• Jack Peart, Fr., D, SCSU (Minnesota Wild/Grand Rapids, Minn.)

• Jake Sanderson, So., D, UND (Ottawa Senators/Whitefish, Mont.)

• Red Savage, Fr., F, Miami (Detroit Red Wings/Scottsdale, Ariz.) In addition, Colorado College first-year head coach Kris Mayotte returns as an assistant coach on Team USA after also winning gold last year with Kleven and Sanderson.

FRESHMAN PHENOMS: Denver forwards Carter Mazur and Massimo

Rizzo are the top two goal-scoring freshmen in the country with both tallying nine goals so far. Mazur was the NCHC Rookie of the Month for November, while Rizzo earned it for October. Rizzo’s 21 points (9g/12a) are also first in the country among all NCAA freshmen.

TOP GUNS: The NCHC is home to three of the top five goal-scorers in D-I men’s NCAA hockey and two of the top six point-per-game scorers in the country. Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank is first nationally with 17 goals, while Omaha senior forward Taylor Ward is tied for third with 13 goals and Denver sophomore forward Carter Savoie is tied for fifth with 12 goals. Frank’s 0.94 goals per game are also tops nationally by himself.

In addition, WMU senior forward Drew Worrad is second in the NCAA with 27 points and third with 1.50 points per game. Savoie is sixth nationally averaging 1.38 points per game (22 points in 16 games).

Worrad’s 22 assists this season tie for first in the NCAA.

LIGHTING THE LAMP: The NCHC is home to four of the top 10 scoring teams in men’s NCAA hockey. Denver is first nationally, averaging 4.56 goals per game, while Western Michigan is sixth at 3.89 gpg. St. Cloud State is seventh in the NCAA averaging 3.62 goals per game, while Omaha is tied for ninth at 3.50 goals per game.

POWERFUL POWER PLAY: Three of the top nine power play units in the NCAA reside in the NCHC, led by St. Cloud State at the top at 33.3 percent (23-for-69). Denver ranks fifth at 27.1 percent (19-for-70), while Omaha is ninth at 25.8 percent (23-for-89). SCSU and Omaha tie for the NCAA lead with 23 power-play goals each.

CENTURY CLUBBIN’: Omaha grad student transfer Brandon McManus joined the Century Club with two points against Colorado College on Dec. 3, giving him 101 for his career (87 of which came while he played at Minnesota). Western Michigan grad student forward Ethen Frank became the most recent member of the Century Club to play all their college hockey in the NCHC, doing so Nov. 27 at St. Lawrence. Frank now has 103 career points (61g/42a) in 138 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 99 career points (51g/48a) in 111 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 111 career points, including 64 goals and 47 assists in 155 career games.

The only other active NCHC players with 100 career points are fifth-year transfers into the conference like McManus. Connor Ford (129 points) plays at North Dakota this year, while Cameron Wright (114 points) plays at Denver after both played at Bowling Green for four years.

THEY’RE ALL CLASS: Two NCHC seniors have been named candidates for the 2021-22 Senior CLASS Award for men’s hockey. North Dakota goaltender Zach Driscoll and Omaha forward Taylor Ward were selected as two of only 20 candidates up for the prestigious honor. The 10 finalists will be revealed later this season with the winner announced during the 2022 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in April.

ALL FOUR, SEE YOU NO MORE: Denver swept Arizona State on Dec.

3-4, 6-2 and 7-1, for the second time this season, this time in Arizona. In doing so, DU finishes a four-game season sweep of the Sun Devils after knocking off ASU in Denver on Oct. 8-9 by scores of 8-3 in the opener and 4-3 a night later.

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Omaha has also completed a four-game, non-conference sweep this season. The Mavericks swept Alaska on Nov. 19-20 with 5-2 and 4-2 wins in Fairbanks in their second series of the season. Omaha also 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.

NCHC teams are a combined 10-0-0 against ASU and Alaska this season with Colorado College facing Arizona State this weekend and Denver hosting Alaska on New Year’s Eve.

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 twice in the month. His .935 save percentage and 1.57 GAA on the season both rank sixth nationally, while his four shutouts are fourth in the NCAA.

SERVING UP BAGELS: Nine different NCHC netminders have already recorded a shutout this season, including five with their first career shutout. Most recently, Colorado College sophomore Dominic Basse logged his first career shutout on Dec. 4 at Omaha. 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 fourth 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 has three whitewashes so far. Along with Basse, Fanti and Bussi, CC 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. Denver junior Magnus Chrona recorded his first shutout of the season and fourth of his career on Dec. 10 at Minnesota Duluth.

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.

St. Cloud State fifth-year senior forward Easton Brodzinski and Denver senior forward Brett Stapley each recorded their first career hat tricks on

Dec. 3. Six different NCHC players have now tallied a hat trick this year from four teams, with Denver and Western Michigan each having two players with three-goal games.

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 set an NCHC career record. He breaks the previous mark of 23 power play goals, held by former Denver forward Jarid Lukosevicius (2015-19). Brodzinski now has 25 power-play goals for his career.

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.

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• 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 in

Colorado 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 2022 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 will

host 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: 3-10-3 2020-21 Record: 4-17-2 (4-16-2, 7th)

2021-22 Record: 3-10-3 (1-6-1, 0-1-0 NCHC, 7th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 21/8

• Colorado College was swept by North Dakota last weekend, falling 5-2 on Friday and 4-1 on Saturday. It’s the first time CC has been swept in regulation this season.

• Junior transfer Noah Prokop opened Friday’s scoring with his first goal as a Tiger. CC also scored the game’s first goal on Saturday in the first period off the stick of sophomore Matthew Gleason. Gleason leads the Tigers with 12 points this season (4g/8a). The losses to UND, however, were CC’s first losses when scoring first this season (3-2-0).

• Senior co-captain Brian Hawkinson scored on Friday against UND and now has three goals in his last three games. He has three of the five CC goals scored this season by upperclassmen. Freshmen or sophomores have scored 31 of the Tigers’ 36 goals this year, with sophomores having scored 22 of the team’s last 30 goals.

• CC head coach Kris Mayotte will miss this weekend’s series against Arizona State while serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. Assistant coach Peter Mannino will serve as act- ing head coach for the Tigers in this weekend’s series with ASU.

This Week’s Games:

Fri., Dec. 17 vs. Arizona State (9-9-0) - 7:30 p.m. MT

Ed Robson Arena - Colorado Springs, Colo. TV: AT&T SN/TSN2 Sat., Dec. 18 vs. Arizona State (9-9-0) - 6:00 p.m. MT

Ed Robson Arena - Colorado Springs, Colo. Stream: NCHC.tv Game Fact: CC is 1-2-1 all-time against Arizona State, including 1-0-1 in Colorado Springs. ASU swept CC in Tempe, Ariz. in December of 2018.

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* L, 3-4

Sat., Dec. 4 at No. 10/10 Omaha* W, 4-0

Fri., Dec. 10 No. 7/7 North Dakota* L, 2-5 Sat., Dec. 11 No. 7/7 North Dakota* L, 1-4 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. 8/8)

Head Coach: David Carle (4th year) Record at DU: 66-39-12 2020-21 Record: 10-13-1 (9-12-1, 5th)

2021-22 Record: 11-5-0 (5-3-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, 3rd) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 18/10

• Denver split at Minnesota Duluth last weekend in a top-15 tilt. The Pioneers blanked the Bulldogs, 5-0, in Friday’s opener to stretch their win streak to seven games, before having it snapped in a 6-2 loss on Saturday. Friday’s win over UMD was Denver’s first over the Bulldogs in eight meetings dating back to Feb. 16, 2019 and snapped a five-game losing streak against UMD.

• Denver leads the country scoring 4.56 goals per game and has scored at least four goals in 12 of its 16 games, including all 11 wins. DU has topped the seven-goal mark four times this season. The last time Denver had four games with seven or more goals in a season was in 2002-03 when the program did it five times.

• Denver junior goaltender Magnus Chrona recorded his first shutout of the season and fourth of his career Friday at UMD, stopping all 23 shots he faced. He’s the second DU netminder to log a whitewash this season.

• Sophomore defenseman Mike Benning scored two goals in Friday’s win over UMD. It was his second multi-goal game this season, while he leads all NCHC defensemen with seven goals on the year.

• Denver is home to the top two goal-scoring freshmen in the country.

Forwards Massimo Rizzo and Carter Mazur each have nine goals in 16 games this season. No other NCAA rookie has more than seven goals.

Off This Week - Next Games:

Fri., Dec. 31 vs. Alaska (4-12-0) - 7:00 p.m. MT

Magness Arena - Denver, Colo. Stream: NCHC.tv Sat., Jan. 1 vs. Alaska (4-12-0) - 6:00 p.m. MT

Magness Arena - Denver, Colo. TV/Stream: Altitude 2/NCHC.tv

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 W, 6-2

Sat., Dec. 4 at Arizona State W, 7-1

Fri., Dec. 10 at No. 5/5 Minnesota Duluth* W, 5-0 Sat., Dec. 11 at No. 5/5 Minnesota Duluth* L, 2-6

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

8 @TheNCHC | #NCHCHockey Dec. 13-19, 2021

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Miami RedHawks (NR/NR)

Head Coach: Chris Bergeron (3rd year) Record at MU: 17-51-8 2020-21 Record: 5-18-2 (5-17-2, 8th)

2021-22 Record: 4-12-1 (1-7-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, 8th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 20/7

• Miami won its only game last weekend, topping Mercyhurst, 7-4, in non-conference action on Sunday in Erie, Pa. Three of Miami’s four wins this season have now come on the road. The seven goals scored tied a season high, matching Miami’s seven from the season opener on Oct. 2 at Ferris State, also a 7-4 win.

• Sophomore defenseman Hampus Rydqvist scored Miami’s first goal Sunday to tie the game at 1-1. He is now riding a career-long three- game point streak with goals in back-to-back games, plus an assist.

Those are his only three points of the season (10 games) and his two goals and one assist stat line match his season total from his freshman campaign (24 games).

• Senior forward Jack Olmstead recorded his first-career multi-point and multi-goal game Sunday at Mercyhurst with two goals and an assist for a career-high three points. He had four points all season entering the game and now has seven points (3g/4a) in 11 games.

• Junior forward Ryan Savage scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season in Sunday’s win over Mercyhurst. The seven goals tie his career high for a season, as he also scored seven as a freshman in 2019-20.

Off This Week - Next Game:

Tues., Jan. 4 vs. Mercyhurst (4-9-4, 3-5-4 AHA) - 6:05 p.m. ET Steve Cady Arena - Oxford, Ohio Stream: NCHC.tv Game Fact: Miami completes its home-and-home series with Mercyhurst on Jan. 4 in Oxford. Miami is now 2-0-0 all-time against the Lakers.

Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (No. 6/5)

Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (22nd year) Record at UMD: 417-338-92 2020-21 Record: 15-11-2 (13-9-2, 3rd)

2021-22 Record: 11-6-1 (4-3-1, 0-0-1 NCHC, 4th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 21/4

• Minnesota Duluth split with Denver last weekend, falling in Friday’s opener, 5-0, before bouncing back on Saturday for a 6-2 win. Satur- day’s victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Bulldogs. The six goals Saturday also marked a season high for UMD, topping the five goals they had scored three times previously.

• Senior forward Jesse Jacques scored two goals in Saturday’s win over Denver for his first-career multi-goal game. The two goals doubled his season total, while the four goals this season are already a career best for Jacques in a single season.

• UMD will have two representatives at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship as sophomore defenseman Wyatt Kaiser and freshman forward Dominic James were both named to the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team this week. They will miss UMD’s home-and-home series against No. 1 Minnesota State on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1.

Off This Week - Next Games:

Thu., Dec. 30 at No. 1/1 Minn. State (16-4-0, 12-2-2 CCHA) - 7:07 p.m. CT Mayo Clinic HS Event Center - Mankato, Minn. Stream: FloHockey Sat., Jan. 1 vs. No. 1/1 Minn. State (16-4-0, 12-2-2 CCHA) - 6:07 p.m. CT AMSOIL Arena - Duluth, Minn. TV: My9 Sports

Game Fact: UMD is 3-3-0 against Minnesota State in their last six meetings since 2017. The Mavericks swept the Bulldogs in Duluth in their last series on Nov. 29-30, 2019.

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* L, 3-6 Sat., Dec. 4 No. 6/5 Western Michigan* L, 3-5

Sun., Dec. 12 at Mercyhurst W, 7-4

Tues., Jan. 4 Mercyhurst 6:05 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 L, 4-5 Sat., Dec. 4 at Northern Michigan L, 2-5 Fri., Dec. 10 No. 11/10 Denver* L, 0-5 Sat., Dec. 11 No. 11/10 Denver* W, 6-2 Thurs., Dec. 30 at No. 1/1 Minnesota State 7:07 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 1 No. 1/1 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. 5/5)

Head Coach: Brad Berry (7th year) Record at UND: 151-69-24 2020-21 Record: 22-6-1 (18-5-1, 1st)

2021-22 Record: 13-6-0 (8-2-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, 1st) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 13/13

• North Dakota swept Colorado College last weekend in its first-ever visit to Ed Robson Arena. UND fell behind 1-0 each night, but rallied for a 5-2 win on Friday and a 4-1 win on Saturday. Friday’s win was UND’s first win on Friday since Nov. 12 at Miami as UND had lost its last three Friday games.

• Scoring four goals in a game has been a good sign for UND over the last few years, and this season is no exception. The Hawks are now 9-1-0 when crossing the four-goal plateau in 2021-22 after the sweep at CC and 50-4-2 since 2018-19 when hitting that mark.

• Freshman goaltender Jakob Hellsten made his first career start on Sat- urday at CC and totaled 23 saves on 24 shots for his first collegiate win.

He earned NCHC Rookie of the Week honors for his efforts.

• Senior captain Mark Senden dished out two assists on Friday at CC, giving him eight points (2g/6a) over his last five games. He had just three points in his first 13 games this season.

Off This Week - Next Game:

Sat., Jan. 1 vs. U.S. Under-18 Team (exhibition) - 2:37 p.m. CT Ralph Engelstad Arena - Grand Forks, N.D. TV: Midco Sports 2/NCHC.tv Game Fact: A sweep over Colorado College puts North Dakota in a strong position heading into the holidays, as UND remains in first place of the NCHC standings. Only two teams in NCHC history have not won the Penrose Cup after leading at the break.

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Omaha Mavericks (No. 14/15)

Head Coach: Mike Gabinet (5th year) Record at UNO: 67-74-11 2020-21 Record: 14-11-1 (14-9-1, 4th)

2021-22 Record: 13-5-0 (4-4-0, 1-0-0 NCHC, 6th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 21/8

• Omaha split at Western Michigan last weekend, falling 4-2 on Friday, before blanking WMU, 1-0, on Saturday. The Mavericks have now split each of their last two weekends and have split all four NCHC series so far this season (with one win in overtime).

• Junior goaltender Isaiah Saville made a season-high 41 saves on Saturday at WMU to record his third shutout of the season and fifth of his career. His three shutouts this season are second in the NCHC and tie for sixth nationally. Saville’s 2.12 GAA is 14th in the NCAA.

• Senior forward Taylor Ward scored a power-play goal in Friday’s loss at WMU. His 13 goals this season tie for third nationally while his 10 power-play goals lead the country by two. Ward sits on 99 career points (51g/48a) after also assisting on Saturday’s game-winning goal. Ward needs only one more point to reach the Century Club for his career.

• Omaha has scored the first goal in 12 of its 18 games this year and has gone 10-2-0 in those contests. Since the start of last season, the Mavericks have gone 21-3-0 in games in which they’ve scored first.

Off This Week - Next Games:

Fri., Dec. 31 at St. Lawrence (4-7-4, 3-3-2 ECAC) - 6:00 p.m. CT Appleton Arena - Canton, N.Y. Stream: ESPN+/TSN.ca Sat., Jan. 1 at St. Lawrence (4-7-4, 3-3-2 ECAC) - 6:00 p.m. CT Appleton Arena - Canton, N.Y. Stream: ESPN+

Game Fact: Omaha last played St. Lawrence on Jan. 2, 2010 in Denver, Colo., with the teams tying 2-2. The Saints are 1-2-1 against NCHC teams so far this season, facing Colorado College and WMU to date.

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* W, 4-3 Sat., Dec. 4 Colorado College* L, 0-4 Fri., Dec. 10 at No. 4/4 Western Michigan* L, 2-4 Sat., Dec. 11 at No. 4/4 Western Michigan* W, 1-0

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* L, 1-8 Sat., Dec. 4 at No. 5/6 St. Cloud State* W, 5-3 Fri., Dec. 10 at Colorado College* W, 5-2 Sat., Dec. 11 at Colorado College* W, 4-1 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

10 @TheNCHC | #NCHCHockey Dec. 13-19, 2021

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St. Cloud State Huskies (No. 7/7)

Head Coach: Brett Larson (4th year) Record at SCSU: 73-38-9 2020-21 Record: 20-11-0 (15-9-0, 2nd)

2021-22 Record: 10-6-0 (4-4-0, 1-1-0 NCHC, 5th) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 23/4

• SCSU split with North Dakota in its last games on Dec. 3-4, thumping UND, 8-1, on Friday, Dec. 3 to snap a three-game losing streak, before falling in the finale, 5-3. Dec. 3 was SCSU’s largest margin of victory over UND since becoming Division I, passing a 9-2 win Jan. 20, 1995.

• Senior forward Easton Brodzinski recorded his first career hat trick in the Dec. 3 win over North Dakota. He also added an assist for a career-high four points in the victory.

• St. Cloud State scored three power play goals in the series opener against UND, giving them 23 power-play goals this year, which ties for the NCAA lead. SCSU’s 33.3 percent success rate on the man advan- tage is also tops in the NCAA by itself (23-for-69).

• 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.

• Senior defenseman Nick Perbix recorded a career-high four assists in the Friday, Dec. 3 win over UND, the first time a Husky recorded four assists since senior forward Micah Miller did so against Miami on Jan.

23, 2021. Perbix’s four points were also a career high.

Off This Week - Next Games:

Fri., Dec. 31 at Bemidji State (10-8-0, 8-4-0 CCHA) - 6:07 p.m. CT Sanford Center - Bemidji, Minn. Stream: FloHockey

Sat., Jan. 1 vs. Bemidji State (10-8-0, 8-4-0 CCHA) - 6:00 p.m. CT Herb Brooks National Hockey Center - St. Cloud, Minn. TV: FOX9+

Western Michigan Broncos (No. 4/4)

Head Coach: Pat Ferschweiler (1st year) Record at WMU: 13-5-0 2020-21 Record: 10-12-3 (10-11-3, 6th)

2021-22 Record: 13-5-0 (6-4-0, 0-0-0 NCHC, 2nd) Lettermen Ret./Lost: 22/5

• Western Michigan split with Omaha at home last weekend. The Broncos won on Friday, 4-2, to stretch their win streak to seven games, before seeing it snapped on Saturday in a 1-0 loss. The seven-game win streak was WMU’s longest win streak since Oct. 21-Nov. 11, 2000.

Saturday marked only the second time this season WMU was shut out (also Nov. 6 vs. Minnesota Duluth), while the Broncos had scored at least four goals in each of the seven games prior to Saturday’s blanking.

• Grad student forward Ethen Frank scored two goals in Friday’s win over Omaha. He continues to lead the country with 17 goals and 0.94 goals per game. No other player has more than 15 goals this season.

• Senior forward Drew Worrad had an assist Friday and is tied for the NCAA lead with 22 assists. His 1.22 assists per game lead the country by himself. Worrad’s 27 points this season tie for second in the NCAA.

Off This Week - Next Games:

Wed., Dec. 29 at Michigan State (10-7-1, 5-5-0 B1G) - 7:00 p.m. ET Munn Ice Arena - East Lansing, Mich. (GLI) Stream: B1G+

Thu., Dec. 30 at No. 3/3 Michigan (14-6-0, 7-5-0 B1G) - 7:00 p.m. ET Yost Ice Arena - Ann Arbor, Mich. (GLI) Stream: B1G+

Game Fact: WMU battles in-state rivals Michigan State and Michigan in a make-shift Great Lakes Invitational, playing on MSU and UM’s cam- puses rather than a neutral-site. The Broncos split with Michigan earlier this season in a home-and-home series, downing the Wolverines, 5-2, in Ann Arbor on Oct. 22, before losing in overtime in Kalamazoo.

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* W, 8-1 Sat., Dec. 4 No. 7/7 North Dakota* L, 3-5 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* W, 6-3

Sat., Dec. 4 at Miami* W, 5-3

Fri., Dec. 10 No. 14/14 Omaha* W, 4-2 Sat., Dec. 11 No. 14/14 Omaha* L, 0-1 Wed., Dec. 29 at Michigan State% 7:00 p.m.

Thu., Dec. 30 at No. 3/3 Michigan% 7:00 p.m.

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 Nov. 29-Dec. 5 Brett Stapley, Sr., Denver Nick Perbix, Sr., SCSU Magnus Chrona, Jr., Denver Jack Devine, F, Denver Dec. 6-12 Louis Jamernik, So., UND Mike Benning, So., DU Isaiah Saville, Jr., Omaha Jakob Hellsten, G, UND

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Forward of the Week Co-Defenseman of the Week Goaltender of the Week Rookie of the Week

3G, 4 SOG, +3, 20-14 FOs Jamernik ignited North Dakota’s offense in a sweep at Colorado Col- lege with a trio of goals. He scored UND’s first goal both nights, tying the game at 1-1 in the first period each time after CC had opened the scoring. In doing so, he stretched his going-scoring streak to three games.

Along with UND’s opening goal each night, Jamernik also sealed Saturday’s 4-1 victory with an empty-net goal, his second multi-goal game of the season. He went over .500 in the faceoff circle on both Friday and Saturday, as well. Jamernik ended the series with three goals, four shots on goal and a +3 plus/minus. He also went 20-for-34 on faceoffs (.588) on the weekend. UND improved to 5-0-0 twhen Jamernik scores a goal.

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Sophomore Forward Calgary, Alta.

2G, 2 SOG, +1, 1 BLK Benning helped Denver earn a split at No. 5 Minnesota Dulu- th. He scored two goals in the 5-0, series-opening shutout and posted a +3 plus/minus. The Florida Panthers draft pick scored DU’s third and fifth goals in the win, both coming even strength in the second period. It was his second multi-goal game of the season. Benning also helped the DU penalty kill finish 3-for-3 in Friday’s whitewash. He saw his career-long, six-game point streak snapped on Saturday in a loss to the Bulldogs. Benning finished the weekend with two goals, scoring on his only two shots on goal in the series.He also played on a penalty kill that went 4-for-5.

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1-1-0, 1.50 GAA, .956 SV%, 65 SVs Saville backstopped Omaha to a split at No. 4 Western Michigan last weekend. On Friday, the Ve- gas Golden Knights prospect made 24 saves and allowed three goals (only one even strength) in a 4-2 defeat. It was the next night that Saville really shined, however, as he made a season-high 41 saves Saturday, stopping every shot he faced for his third shutout of the season and fifth of his career.

Each save was needed, as well, in the 1-0 win, as the junior turned aside all 13 shots he faced in the third period with Omaha holding a narrow lead. He also made nine saves short-handed to kill off all five WMU power plays in the game.

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Junior Goaltender Anchorage, Alaska

1-0-0, 23 SVs, 1.00 GAA, .958 SV%

Hellsten was impressive in his first collegiate start Saturday at Colora- do College, earning his first career win in only his second appear- ance in net for UND. The Swede allowed only one goal and none even strength in a 4-1 victory, while racking up 23 saves. After allowing an early power-play goal, Hellsten shut down the Tigers the rest of the way, helping kill off the final five CC power plays by mak- ing seven short-handed saves. He also made nine third-period saves with UND clinging to a 2-1 lead.

In his only start of the weekend, Hellsten compiled a .958 save percentage by making 23 saves on 24 shots, while posting a 1.00 goals-against average.

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Freshman Goaltender Ljusdal, Sweden

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Forward of the Week

Carter Mazur, Fr., Denver Jack Olmstead, Sr., Miami Kobe Roth, Sr., UMD

Defenseman of the Week

Chris Jandric, Gr., UND

Goaltender of the Week

Brandon Bussi, Jr., WMU Magnus Chrona, Jr., Denver Jakob Hellsten, Fr., UND

Rookie of the Week

Owen Gallatin, D, UMD Carter Mazur, F, Denver