UMD and UMTC Meet in NCAA First Round

As Their Seasons Started, One's Will End

The saying goes: keep your friends close and your enemies closer.  So why shouldn't the Bulldogs and Gophers be paired for their fifth game in a fifth arena and for the second time in the Eastern Time Zone?

It seems like years ago now, but the 50 or so people who were in attendance for the first game of the Ice Breaker Tournament in South Bend back in October saw the first step in a long season culminating in the newest, most important game for these rivals.

Both teams have seen successes and struggles this season.  Along the journey, UMD has posted a 3-1

Images via Wikipedia: Bulldog, NCAA, Gopher

record against UMTC.  Full season stat comparison is noted at right.

Maybe most luckily for the Gophers is their hot streak coincides with the start of the NCAAs.  While UMD has seen many struggles since the calendar turned to 2015.  8-9-3 since the start of the calendar year and one win in their last seven games, UMD needs a spark.

And that needed spark may be the return of Alex Iafallo, back from mono starting today against the Gophers.

Iafallo is tied for second in overall points (8G-17A-25pts) and tied for first in points per game (0.78) with line mate Dom Toninato who also missed games with an injury.  Toninato leads the team in goals with 16.

Bringing the pieces back into place, the promise of regaining the early season success is promising for Bulldog fans.

One piece that was great early and has been just good as of late is goaltending.

Freshman Kasimir Kaskisuo is the guy the team relies on.  And he will need to be on his game and get help from his defensemen to find the shutdown play he had consistently in November and December.

Ready for success that has been on the horizon most of the year, Bulldog fans are patiently waiting to find the right mix from early in the season.  If the season has to end, please be it not at the hands of the Gophers!

January 2015 is Longer than Usual; Tough Tests for UMD

After Exhibition Weekend, #3 UMD Starts Long Stretch at #7 North Dakota

January is notorious for feeling like a long month coming off of vacation days and holidays close to each other in December leading into January 1.  But this January is longer than usual for college hockey teams like UMD with five weekends in the month and the team playing a pair of games in each of them.

And it is not just the run-of-the-mill middling teams for the most part.  A series at North Dakota (currently #7 in PairWise),  a game against UMTC (Tied #11) or MSU-Mankato (#1) in the North Star College Cup, and a series at Denver (#14) are the highlights of the month.  In the shuffle is a home series against Western Michigan and the opening game of the North Star College Cup against Bemidji State.

The weekend sweep of an exhibition series at Thunder Bay's Lakehead University was a good start to a grueling schedule in January.  All players will need to be on call for duty at any time as the wear and tear on the student athletes from playing and recent outbreaks of influenza and other viruses could sideline any player.

It will be a telling run for the playoff and possibly an NCHC title run when January ends.

Half of Season in the Rearview Mirror.  The holiday break also brought the mid point of the regular season schedule for the Bulldogs.

In a quick summary, goaltending by Kasimir Kaskisuo, offense from Dom Toninato, defense from Andy Welinski, and rookie play from Karson Kuhlman have garnered our high attention at the halfway point for the season.

StatPack.  The matchup by the stats for UMD and North Dakota:

Images via Wikipedia: Bulldog, NCAA, NCHC, ND

Picks by @afiskness.  The second half of the NCHC season begins this weekend.  The Bulldogs are tied for first and they would like to take home the Julie and Spencer Penrose Memorial Cup for winning the regular season.  This will be quite a feat as I think any of the top five teams could win it.  A good showing in Grand Forks by the Bulldogs is a must.

Picks (continuing to use PWR rankings for top 25)

#3 Minnesota Duluth @ #7 North Dakota: The Bulldogs play another #1 team!  The toughest schedule in the country continues for UMD.  It is always hard to win in Grand Forks, but the Bulldogs do play good on the road.  Split.

#14 Denver @ #6 Nebraska Omaha:  This series will come down to goaltending.  Both teams are highly rated and evenly matched.  Split.

#4 Miami @  St Cloud State: It hasn't been the season that Huskies fan thought it would be, but they do have some quality wins.  The large home ice win be an advantage against the Redhawks.  St Cloud will get a win for the split.

Notre Dame vs. Western Michigan (home/home series):  The Fighting Irish (receiving votes) have not played to their expectations this year, but with some success they could be a factor in Hockey East and the NCAAs.  The Broncos are in the bottom half of the NCHC standings and are hoping to find some more consistency.  This home and home series should be a split.

MTU and UMD Meet as Top Ten Teams

UMD's Aggressive Offense Allowed by Strong Defense

Last weekend before the turn of the calendar and things are bright for UMD.  Riding a streak of eight wins in nine games, the team looks to finish 2014 strong with a road trip to Houghton, Michigan to face

Welinski's effectiveness jumping up into the play, like in this
short handed goal against Miami, is enabled by strong defense
 behind him. (Andrew Nippert/ College Hockey HighHorse)

the surprising upstart Huskies of Tech.

At the beginning of the season many may have looked past this series at MTU.  But the Huskies have put on a show for their long loyal fans staying at the top of the WCHA and near the top of the polls.  This will be a quality non-conference weekend for both teams, especially if one of the teams can pull off a sweep.

In this streak for the Bulldogs, success starts with aggressiveness on the forecheck.  Michigan Tech is flexing muscle on defense holding opponents to 1.50 goals per game in 14 games.  Even in their two losses, they only game up two and three goals respectively against Minnesota State – Mankato. 

A strong forecheck like that of UMD’s is just what can break a defense like Tech’s.

The factor that allows the Bulldogs to go hard onto the offensive zone is the strong goalie play and Kaskisuo and his 0.922 saves percentage.  Aggressive offensive play gives up odd-man rushes and the goalie has to be trustworthy.  Kaskisuo gives UMD the chance to play aggressively.

Farley's speed and aggressiveness is key to Bulldog's
forecheck. (Andrew Nippert/ College Hockey HighHorse)

Some of the beneficiaries of the backstopping success includes 10 goal scorer Dom Toninato and Austin Farley who now has the most points in NCHC play for the Bulldogs with 10 (4 goals, 6 assists). 

Most noticeable is defensemen can jump up into the play more and that is not more evident anywhere than in Andy Welsinski’s play this season.  Currently leading UMD blueliners with six goals and assists for 12 points and a +11.  Nationally Welsinski is the second leading goal producer of defensemen and tied for 16th in points.  Again, more evidence of confidence in the players behind him to be jumping up into the play and making the most of his opportunities.

Out of the Box Thinking.  Bulldog penalties on the decrease.  What a wonderful statement for UMD fans to hear.  And with less penalties have come more wins.

In UMD's last seven games, the Bulldogs have been the lesser penalized team in the game.  And in UMD's last four, their most penalized game was four penalties for eight minutes.

With the current win streak coinciding with the decrease in penalties, there is no coincidence.  

StatPack.  Numbers alone says that this should be a good series:

Images via Wikipedia: Bulldog, NCAA, Huskies

Picks by @afiskness.  The Bulldogs sweep last weekend of the Colorado College Tigers has moved them into a tie for first place in the NCHC with Miami Redhawks.  Last Friday's game shows maturation of this team by coming back after being down by two goals.  They should not have come out cold against the Tigers which is a little disconcerting, but they never panicked and got the comeback win.  During the Saturday night game the Bulldogs toyed with Colorado College in the convincing win.  This makes the Bulldogs 8-1 in their last nine games.

Picks

#9 Minnesota Duluth @ #4 Michigan Tech:  This should be a great Series at the McInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton.  I like the matchup for the Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs play good on the road and if they continue to stay out of the box they could get a sweep.  Right now I am leaning to a split.

Colorado College @ Western Michigan:  Both of these teams are not ranked and are at the bottom of the NCHC.  The Broncos are looking to restart the engine for some goal scoring and the Tigers are likely to provide.  The inconsistency for both teams will result in a split.

St. Cloud State @ #12 Nebraska Omaha:  The Huskies are not meeting preseason expectations wherewas the Mavericks have been playing well balanced hockey.  This looks like a split, but I am going with a Mavericks win and a tie.

#1 North Dakota @ #11 Denver: These are two well balanced teams who are both playing really good hockey.  Both games will be hard fought probably with a bunch of penalties.  Split.

On the Road: Bulldogs at red Mavericks

UMD Continues Streak of Ranked Opponents in Bid to Continue Win Streak

One third of the regular season completed, 12 games, and it is not even Thanksgiving yet.  The Bulldogs embark on the second portion of their schedule continuing with NCHC play in Omaha who has only played eight games overall this season.

Take aways from the "first period" of the season:

• Slowish start in net, but Kaskisuo is now the backstop that an elite team needs.  McNeely an afterthought as of now.
• On the PK too often staying securely in the top five in the nation for penalty minutes.  But the SHGs are coming in with five so far.
• Dom Toninato is on fire scoring with nine goals so far.  What follows that stat is good team scoring, three players with four goals and 16 players with at least one goal so far.
• Andy Welinski becoming elite defenseman and leading a very impressive defense corps.  As a squad, the defense is giving Kaskisuo the support he needs to be his best.

StatPack.  Great test again for UMD as they go to the surprisingly upstart Omaha squad.  By the numbers:

Images via Wikipedia: Bulldog, NCAA, NCHC, Mav

Picks by @afiskness.  The Bulldogs have found their balance and have used that to put in a 5 game winning streak.  Last weekends effort was impressive versus the Gophers.  The three penalties in the Friday game played a huge part in the Bulldogs dominance.  Now of course Bulldog fans need to worry about a let down.  The team play is strong this season and if the Bulldogs stay out of the box they can continue this winning streak.

Picks

Minnesota Duluth @ Nebraska Omaha:  This is a great series as both goalies are on fire.  The Mavericks at home get an edge, but the Bulldogs play good on the road.  Split.

Western Michigan @ Miami:  The Redhawks managed a nice Split in Grand Forks last weekend and have shown so far that they should be a real contender.  The Broncos have had a slow start this season and it won't be easy to win in Oxford this weekend. Miami sweep.

North Dakota @ St Cloud State:  North Dakota goes on the road to the play a Huskies team that appears to have bounced back after being swept at home two weeks ago.  Special teams will likely be the difference in this series.  Split.

Air Force @ Denver, Wisconsin @ Denver: Denver is the favorite in both games and I think Air Force has the better chance for the upset then the Badgers.  Denver two wins.

Wisconsin @ Colorado College, Colorado College @ Air Force:  It has been a tough season so far for the Tigers with their only wins this season coming against the Chargers.  Thankfully for them this weekends matchups are in their favor.  The Tigers should get two wins, but I think the Badgers find their first win of the season on Friday.  Saturday night the Tigers bounce back and beat the Falcons.

Bulldogs Open NCHC Play Against Denver

UMD and DU Look for Strong Starts

UMD With Penalty Problems… What's New?  It was a point of emphasis in Coach Sandelin's weekly presser that the team is taking too many penalties.  And although that may be a symptom of the early season tight officiating, second highest average in the nation at 23 minutes per game is ridiculous.  

It has been recurring theme over the past few seasons that UMD is in the top ten in the nation for penalties, but how does it stop?  How is hockey discipline taught when the seeming culture of the upperclassmen is not conducive to more five on five time and less special teams?  

Final note on the penalties, if the team puts together wins, the issue will become less glaring.  Lose half or more of the games and it will be in the forefront.

No Sophomore Slumps.  Dom Toninato is not seeing a sophomore slump.  In fact he is leading the team in goals and points with five and seven respectively.  He is back looking stronger and hungrier than ever and his work off the ice is obvious.  Toninato's five goals puts him on pace to crush his seven goals in his freshman year.

With two short handed goals in four games, he has equalled his total form all of last year.  The shorties paired with a power play goal demonstrates that he is a main player who is being utilized on the special teams.

Close behind Toninato is Alex Iafallo with one goal and five assists and Carson Soucy with two goals and three assists.  Those three sophomores along with Tony Cameranesi round out the top four scorers for the Bulldogs.

StatPack.  It is early in the year, but the NCHC games are starting and so does the StatPack:

Images via Wikipedia: Bulldog, NCAA, NCHC, Denver

Picks by @afiskness.  Last weekend the Bulldogs struggle to play a good game of hockey for a full game continued.  The play in the first half of the Friday game was not where it should be if the team is going to be a contender.  Saturday’s game however was much better.  Hopefully the goaltending will improve and become more consistent.  It is early in the season but this team looks like they could be good if they get solid play between the pipes.

NCHC Picks

Denver @ Minnesota Duluth - The Pioneers come into the series ranked 11th playing at Amsoil Arena against the #19 Bulldogs.  Last year the Bulldogs struggled at home this season they are hoping to find some success.  This will likely be two high scoring games which will end in a split.  

Non-Conference NCHC Picks

St. Cloud State @ Union - The #9 Huskies travel to Schenectady to play last years NCAA champions the #2 ranked Dutchman.  This will be a good test for both teams.  I give the edge to the Dutchman who seem to be continuing where they left off last season.  I will pick a Split as Huskies find a way to win one of the games.

Colorado College @ Boston College, CC @ New Hampshire -  The unranked Tigers travel out east to play the #6 Eagles in Chestnut Hill followed by game at the Whittemore Center in Durham against the receiving votes Wildcats.  The road and playing better teams will take its toll on the tigers who will lose both games.

Saint Lawrence @ Miami - The Saints are unranked looking to find some consistency.  Last weekend they split a series with Ferris State.  The #10 Redhawks are now red hot as they are on a 3 game winning streak.  I think Miami is finding its grove and will sweep.

Providence @ North Dakota - The #5 Friars travel to Grand Forks to take on the #3 North Dakota men's hockey team in a great non-conference series.  North Dakota looked like the team should last week against the Tigers after spliting the weekend earlier against the Beavers.  The Friars have only played two NCAA games this season splitting at Ohio State.  This series should be a split.

Alaska @ Western Michigan - These two unranked former CCHA Conference rivals renew the series this weekend in Kalamazoo.  The Nanooks are red-hot having not lost a game yet this season mean while the Broncos are hoping to get the bus back on the pavement after being swept last weekend.  The home ice should be enough for the Broncos to get a split.