Oilers Chick
11-09-2003, 12:50 AM
MINNESOTA vs. NORTH DAKOTA:
In a game that started out better for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, ended up becoming a loss (and sweep) that was quite similar to the way last night’s game was played.
Aside from the netminding changes (Freshman Jordan Parise for UND and Junior Justin Johnson for Minnesota), the key change came on the North Dakota blueline. The Fighting Sioux welcomed back their bets offensive defenceman Andy Schneider (PIT). Although, it was previously reported that he had a high ankle sprain, reports out of UND was that Schneider attempted to conceal his injury from his teammates and coach Dean Blais, and that he might have been able to play last night. Schneider’s return would prove to be beneficial to UND, but not necessarily on the scoresheet.
Minnesota came out skating much better than last night. They were also more aggressive in their puck pursuits and forechecked alot more and alot better than they did all of last night. Unfortunately, this great work wouldn’t last the entire game. The game was more physical overall this evening than it was last night. Both teams had some terrific hits dished out.
In the opening stanza, Minnesota was clearly in charge for nearly the entire time. One area where the Gophers were quite successful tonight was on the Power Play. At the 1:59 mark, junior defenceman Andy Schneider (PIT) was off for Interference. At the 3:12 mark, the Gophers would open the scoring by a goal from senior forward Grant Potulny (OTT). It all started on some great hustle by sophomore Gino Guyer (DAL) and Potulny, who used their speed to get into the UND zone. Guyer would get the puck from deep inside the UND zone. He waited for Potulny to get in position before passing it to him in front of the UND net. Potulny then fires it through the 5-hole between Jordan Parise’s pads to make it 1-0 Minnesota. Guyer and freshman forward Ryan Potulny (PHI) would draw the assists on the goal. The tenacious forechecking and hustle to loose pucks by the Gophers was so effective in the 1st period that the Fighting Sioux did not register their first shot on goal until almost 6 minutes in. The Gophers continued to dominant the Fighting Sioux and at the 11:50 mark got themselves another Power Play opportunity thanks to a roughing call on freshman forward Drew Stafford. At the 12:56 mark, the Gophers would once again cash in, on a goal by senior forward Troy Riddle (STL). Riddle retrieved the puck from the corner boards and skated towards the front of the UND net. He then releases a shot that ends up hitting and then rebounding off of the skate of UND’s Schneider before sliding underneath Parise for the goal. Sophomore defenceman Andy Sertich (PIT) drew the lone assist. Everything was going Minnesota’s way until almost the end of the period. At the 18:57 mark, UND sophomore Defenceman Matt Greene (EDM) would notch his first goal of the season. Gophers netminder Justin Johnson made an absolutely horrible clearing attempt up the middle that ends up bouncing off of junior forward Brandon Bochenski (OTT). Bochenski then wheels it over to near the corner boards where he spots an oncoming Brady Murray (LA). Bochenski passes off to Murray who then circles with the puck behind the Minnesota net before passing off to an open Matt Greene at the point. Greene fired a heavy shot that made its way into the Minnesota going top shelf on Johnson’s glove side. Freshman forward Brady Murray, who along with Bochenski drew the assists, did a terrific job of getting the rid of the puck quickly before any of the Minnesota defenders could get in to take it away from him.
The 2nd period began terribly for the Gophers. At the 24 second mark, junior forward Quinn Fylling would tie the game at 2-2. The play started as a result of some poor coverage by the Gophers. Fylling was able to skate in with the puck untouched. He then dumped it where it UND junior forward Rory McMahon would pick up the rebound but lose it, Fylling would then pick up McMahon’s rebound and shoot it past Johnson for the goal. Like last night, the Gophers failed to clear the front of the net.
There were some real individual battles going on much of the night. The best ones were the Tomas Vanek (BUF)-Matt Greene and the Zach Parise (NJ)-Jake Taylor (NYR) matchups. The Vanek-Greene matchup was a carry-over from the previous night. Greene made it a point to make Vanek’s time on the ice as miserable as possible whenever the situations arose. Taylor did much of the same against Parise. Except Parise wasn’t gonna let Taylor off so easily. Parise was willing to get into Taylor’s face and dish it back out to him....even if he is 5 inches shorter than Taylor.
Later in the period, more trouble would come to the Gophers. This time it would be on a UND Power Play. Coming into this weekend UND was 0-26 on the Power Play. Stunning considering how much firepower the team possesses. However, they’d fare quite well on the Power Play this weekend against Minnesota. With Minnesota freshman defenceman Danny Irmen (MIN) off for tripping, the UND Power Play went to work. Like last night, North Dakota was very good at their passing on the man-advantage. At the 13:29 mark, junior defenceman Matt Jones (PHX) would give the Fighting Sioux the lead for the first time (and for good) in the game. Fylling retrieved the puck from the side boards then passes to Murray who is parked on the goal line at the side of the net (left side). Murray then makes a nice cross-ice pass to Jones at the opposite point, who then fires it at the net. Once again, Johnson would be beaten high over his shoulder. That made the score 3-2 UND. Murray and Fylling would draw the assists on the play. Just under 2 minutes later at the 15:01 mark, North Dakota would score again...and again from a Minnesota turnover. This time the goa is from senior forward David Lundbohm. Minnesota senior defenceman Joey Martin (CHI) attempts to fire a point shot at the UND net. UND freshman forward Drew Stafford did a very nice job of going down to block the shot. Martin then has trouble corralling the puck that was in his skates. Eventually he would lose puck possession to Lundbohm who proceeds to skate in with freshman forward Chris Porter (CHI) to create a 2-on-1 with Gophers Dman Sertich in the middle. Lundbohm then looks up to see Johnson not quite out far enouigh to challenge him and then fires a great wristshot that (again) goes top shelf over Johnson’s glove side shoulder and into the net. The goal, assisted by Stafford extended North Dakota’s lead to 4-2. However, the Gophers weren’t going to go away just yet. At the 18:13 mark, junior forward Jake Fleming would cut UND’s lead to 4-3 on a fluky goal that was similar to the goal scored by Sophomore UND Defenceman Lee Marvin the night before. The play started with a UND turnover by Lundbohm who tried to poke the puck out of his own zone. Instead, Gophers senior forward Jon Waibel comes up with it, then scoots it to Fleming. Fleming then skates in deep in the UND zone and just when he was about to run out of real estate fires the puck at the UND at a weird angle that somehow found some daylight between Jordan Parise’s pads. Waibel and junior forward Garrett Smaagaard would draw the assists. This made the score 4-3.
With the momentum created late in the 2nd period by the Fleming line, the Gophers simply couldn’t generate anything from it. Instead, the Gophers played the final stanza very much like they played last night’s game. Many turnovers and losing all of the battles that they were winning and doing so well on earlier in the contest. The Gophers looked lathargic in the 3rd period. They got out-worked and broke down in their man coverage. The sense of urgency and flow had been almost completely taken out of much of their game. All of this despite being down just one goal. Also, netminder Justin Johnson was given an early shower as he was replaced by freshman netminer Kellen Briggs. At the 16:45 mark, Gophers senior forward Matt Koalska (NSH) had been called for a high-stick on Schneider. At the same time, UND’s Drew Stafford made a terrible mistake by taking a stupid penalty for a late hit after the whistle. Stupid because without it UND would’ve been on the Power Play. Instead, it was 4 on 4. The final nail in the Gophers coffin came at the 17:03 mark. The play started as a result of some poor defensive coverage on Minnesota’s part. UND defenceman Matt Jones dumps the puck into the Gophers zone and then proceeds to go in and retrieve it. He then spots an approaching Quinn Fylling and drop the puck to him. Fylling then taps the puck back to a better positioned Jones who flips a nice wristshot high over Briggs’s shoulder on the stick-side. This made the score 5-3 UND. With less than a minute remaining in regulation time and being down 2 goals, the Gophers finally came unglued. At the 19:10 mark, Gophers junior Dman Judd Stevens was called for a cross-check. Meanwhile, his teammate sophomore forward Tyler Hirsch was assessed a misconduct penalty for blowing his stack at the referee. Minnesoat blew their chance to pull Briggs for the extra attacker and it was pretty well all said and done. North Dakota had swept Minnesota.
While Minnesota lost the game and making many mistakes, North Dakota was not nearly as sharp and stellar in this game overall as they were last night. Throughout the game, but especially early in the game, UND made several turnovers and other mistakes that Minnesota capitalised on (but didn't necessarily score on). Even sophomore centre Zach Parise (NJ) who is usually excellent with the puck, made his share of turnovers. Had Minnesota been able to continue to play like they did from the get-go, the outcome could’ve been much different. Head coach Don Lucia will need to find a way to get his Gophers playing as a team for 60 solid minutes, if they have any intention of repeating as national champions. Also, Minnesota’s top scorers, specifically Tomas Vanek needs to show more consistency in their play. Vanek did not register his first shot on goal until the 3rd period in tonight’s game. If the Gophers expect to win games, especially against formidable conference rivals, things like that has to change.
However, not every Gopher had a bad night. Sophomore forward Gino Guyer (DAL) and junior forward Troy Riddle (STL) were working hard making plays and/or some good passes much of the night. The Jake Fleming line (who was the most productive Gophers line all night) played quite well and got a goal as a result of their hard work and grinding it out with the Fighting Sioux players.
For the Fighting Sioux, there were 4 players who played exceptional well. Sophomore Defenceman Matt Greene (EDM) is showing that he’s more than just a tough guy. His solid defensive play, coupled with some very good offensive play and being Tomas Vanek’s worst nightmare all made for a great night’s work by Greene. Junior forward Quinn Fylling, who seemed to be just everywhere tonight, made some excellent plays that resulted in a 3 point night for him (1G, 2A).
Freshman Brady Murray (LA) continues to just keep getting better. His constant movement, tenacity and posing constant coverage problems for the Minnesota defenders in this game proved invaluable. Not only on the scoresheet but also in the creation of opportunities for both himself and his teammates. Game play-by-play announcer Frank Mazzocco reported that Team Canada is taking a serious look at Murray for possibly adding him to their roster for the upcoming WJC. Murray, one of only five Canadian-born North Dakota players (the others are: freshman Chris Porter, Sophomore Mike Prpich and juniors Colby Genoway and Rory McMahon), is making quite a case for himself.
But the story of night for either team was the sensational play of North Dakota junior Defenceman Matt Jones (PHX). Jones was awesome in his play throughout the game. He, along with his defensive partner Matt Greene, took on most of Minnesota’s top guns tonight and did it quite well against them. His great reads, skating and terrific hands all paid by dividends for UND tonight. He finished the night with two goals.
In a game that started out better for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, ended up becoming a loss (and sweep) that was quite similar to the way last night’s game was played.
Aside from the netminding changes (Freshman Jordan Parise for UND and Junior Justin Johnson for Minnesota), the key change came on the North Dakota blueline. The Fighting Sioux welcomed back their bets offensive defenceman Andy Schneider (PIT). Although, it was previously reported that he had a high ankle sprain, reports out of UND was that Schneider attempted to conceal his injury from his teammates and coach Dean Blais, and that he might have been able to play last night. Schneider’s return would prove to be beneficial to UND, but not necessarily on the scoresheet.
Minnesota came out skating much better than last night. They were also more aggressive in their puck pursuits and forechecked alot more and alot better than they did all of last night. Unfortunately, this great work wouldn’t last the entire game. The game was more physical overall this evening than it was last night. Both teams had some terrific hits dished out.
In the opening stanza, Minnesota was clearly in charge for nearly the entire time. One area where the Gophers were quite successful tonight was on the Power Play. At the 1:59 mark, junior defenceman Andy Schneider (PIT) was off for Interference. At the 3:12 mark, the Gophers would open the scoring by a goal from senior forward Grant Potulny (OTT). It all started on some great hustle by sophomore Gino Guyer (DAL) and Potulny, who used their speed to get into the UND zone. Guyer would get the puck from deep inside the UND zone. He waited for Potulny to get in position before passing it to him in front of the UND net. Potulny then fires it through the 5-hole between Jordan Parise’s pads to make it 1-0 Minnesota. Guyer and freshman forward Ryan Potulny (PHI) would draw the assists on the goal. The tenacious forechecking and hustle to loose pucks by the Gophers was so effective in the 1st period that the Fighting Sioux did not register their first shot on goal until almost 6 minutes in. The Gophers continued to dominant the Fighting Sioux and at the 11:50 mark got themselves another Power Play opportunity thanks to a roughing call on freshman forward Drew Stafford. At the 12:56 mark, the Gophers would once again cash in, on a goal by senior forward Troy Riddle (STL). Riddle retrieved the puck from the corner boards and skated towards the front of the UND net. He then releases a shot that ends up hitting and then rebounding off of the skate of UND’s Schneider before sliding underneath Parise for the goal. Sophomore defenceman Andy Sertich (PIT) drew the lone assist. Everything was going Minnesota’s way until almost the end of the period. At the 18:57 mark, UND sophomore Defenceman Matt Greene (EDM) would notch his first goal of the season. Gophers netminder Justin Johnson made an absolutely horrible clearing attempt up the middle that ends up bouncing off of junior forward Brandon Bochenski (OTT). Bochenski then wheels it over to near the corner boards where he spots an oncoming Brady Murray (LA). Bochenski passes off to Murray who then circles with the puck behind the Minnesota net before passing off to an open Matt Greene at the point. Greene fired a heavy shot that made its way into the Minnesota going top shelf on Johnson’s glove side. Freshman forward Brady Murray, who along with Bochenski drew the assists, did a terrific job of getting the rid of the puck quickly before any of the Minnesota defenders could get in to take it away from him.
The 2nd period began terribly for the Gophers. At the 24 second mark, junior forward Quinn Fylling would tie the game at 2-2. The play started as a result of some poor coverage by the Gophers. Fylling was able to skate in with the puck untouched. He then dumped it where it UND junior forward Rory McMahon would pick up the rebound but lose it, Fylling would then pick up McMahon’s rebound and shoot it past Johnson for the goal. Like last night, the Gophers failed to clear the front of the net.
There were some real individual battles going on much of the night. The best ones were the Tomas Vanek (BUF)-Matt Greene and the Zach Parise (NJ)-Jake Taylor (NYR) matchups. The Vanek-Greene matchup was a carry-over from the previous night. Greene made it a point to make Vanek’s time on the ice as miserable as possible whenever the situations arose. Taylor did much of the same against Parise. Except Parise wasn’t gonna let Taylor off so easily. Parise was willing to get into Taylor’s face and dish it back out to him....even if he is 5 inches shorter than Taylor.
Later in the period, more trouble would come to the Gophers. This time it would be on a UND Power Play. Coming into this weekend UND was 0-26 on the Power Play. Stunning considering how much firepower the team possesses. However, they’d fare quite well on the Power Play this weekend against Minnesota. With Minnesota freshman defenceman Danny Irmen (MIN) off for tripping, the UND Power Play went to work. Like last night, North Dakota was very good at their passing on the man-advantage. At the 13:29 mark, junior defenceman Matt Jones (PHX) would give the Fighting Sioux the lead for the first time (and for good) in the game. Fylling retrieved the puck from the side boards then passes to Murray who is parked on the goal line at the side of the net (left side). Murray then makes a nice cross-ice pass to Jones at the opposite point, who then fires it at the net. Once again, Johnson would be beaten high over his shoulder. That made the score 3-2 UND. Murray and Fylling would draw the assists on the play. Just under 2 minutes later at the 15:01 mark, North Dakota would score again...and again from a Minnesota turnover. This time the goa is from senior forward David Lundbohm. Minnesota senior defenceman Joey Martin (CHI) attempts to fire a point shot at the UND net. UND freshman forward Drew Stafford did a very nice job of going down to block the shot. Martin then has trouble corralling the puck that was in his skates. Eventually he would lose puck possession to Lundbohm who proceeds to skate in with freshman forward Chris Porter (CHI) to create a 2-on-1 with Gophers Dman Sertich in the middle. Lundbohm then looks up to see Johnson not quite out far enouigh to challenge him and then fires a great wristshot that (again) goes top shelf over Johnson’s glove side shoulder and into the net. The goal, assisted by Stafford extended North Dakota’s lead to 4-2. However, the Gophers weren’t going to go away just yet. At the 18:13 mark, junior forward Jake Fleming would cut UND’s lead to 4-3 on a fluky goal that was similar to the goal scored by Sophomore UND Defenceman Lee Marvin the night before. The play started with a UND turnover by Lundbohm who tried to poke the puck out of his own zone. Instead, Gophers senior forward Jon Waibel comes up with it, then scoots it to Fleming. Fleming then skates in deep in the UND zone and just when he was about to run out of real estate fires the puck at the UND at a weird angle that somehow found some daylight between Jordan Parise’s pads. Waibel and junior forward Garrett Smaagaard would draw the assists. This made the score 4-3.
With the momentum created late in the 2nd period by the Fleming line, the Gophers simply couldn’t generate anything from it. Instead, the Gophers played the final stanza very much like they played last night’s game. Many turnovers and losing all of the battles that they were winning and doing so well on earlier in the contest. The Gophers looked lathargic in the 3rd period. They got out-worked and broke down in their man coverage. The sense of urgency and flow had been almost completely taken out of much of their game. All of this despite being down just one goal. Also, netminder Justin Johnson was given an early shower as he was replaced by freshman netminer Kellen Briggs. At the 16:45 mark, Gophers senior forward Matt Koalska (NSH) had been called for a high-stick on Schneider. At the same time, UND’s Drew Stafford made a terrible mistake by taking a stupid penalty for a late hit after the whistle. Stupid because without it UND would’ve been on the Power Play. Instead, it was 4 on 4. The final nail in the Gophers coffin came at the 17:03 mark. The play started as a result of some poor defensive coverage on Minnesota’s part. UND defenceman Matt Jones dumps the puck into the Gophers zone and then proceeds to go in and retrieve it. He then spots an approaching Quinn Fylling and drop the puck to him. Fylling then taps the puck back to a better positioned Jones who flips a nice wristshot high over Briggs’s shoulder on the stick-side. This made the score 5-3 UND. With less than a minute remaining in regulation time and being down 2 goals, the Gophers finally came unglued. At the 19:10 mark, Gophers junior Dman Judd Stevens was called for a cross-check. Meanwhile, his teammate sophomore forward Tyler Hirsch was assessed a misconduct penalty for blowing his stack at the referee. Minnesoat blew their chance to pull Briggs for the extra attacker and it was pretty well all said and done. North Dakota had swept Minnesota.
While Minnesota lost the game and making many mistakes, North Dakota was not nearly as sharp and stellar in this game overall as they were last night. Throughout the game, but especially early in the game, UND made several turnovers and other mistakes that Minnesota capitalised on (but didn't necessarily score on). Even sophomore centre Zach Parise (NJ) who is usually excellent with the puck, made his share of turnovers. Had Minnesota been able to continue to play like they did from the get-go, the outcome could’ve been much different. Head coach Don Lucia will need to find a way to get his Gophers playing as a team for 60 solid minutes, if they have any intention of repeating as national champions. Also, Minnesota’s top scorers, specifically Tomas Vanek needs to show more consistency in their play. Vanek did not register his first shot on goal until the 3rd period in tonight’s game. If the Gophers expect to win games, especially against formidable conference rivals, things like that has to change.
However, not every Gopher had a bad night. Sophomore forward Gino Guyer (DAL) and junior forward Troy Riddle (STL) were working hard making plays and/or some good passes much of the night. The Jake Fleming line (who was the most productive Gophers line all night) played quite well and got a goal as a result of their hard work and grinding it out with the Fighting Sioux players.
For the Fighting Sioux, there were 4 players who played exceptional well. Sophomore Defenceman Matt Greene (EDM) is showing that he’s more than just a tough guy. His solid defensive play, coupled with some very good offensive play and being Tomas Vanek’s worst nightmare all made for a great night’s work by Greene. Junior forward Quinn Fylling, who seemed to be just everywhere tonight, made some excellent plays that resulted in a 3 point night for him (1G, 2A).
Freshman Brady Murray (LA) continues to just keep getting better. His constant movement, tenacity and posing constant coverage problems for the Minnesota defenders in this game proved invaluable. Not only on the scoresheet but also in the creation of opportunities for both himself and his teammates. Game play-by-play announcer Frank Mazzocco reported that Team Canada is taking a serious look at Murray for possibly adding him to their roster for the upcoming WJC. Murray, one of only five Canadian-born North Dakota players (the others are: freshman Chris Porter, Sophomore Mike Prpich and juniors Colby Genoway and Rory McMahon), is making quite a case for himself.
But the story of night for either team was the sensational play of North Dakota junior Defenceman Matt Jones (PHX). Jones was awesome in his play throughout the game. He, along with his defensive partner Matt Greene, took on most of Minnesota’s top guns tonight and did it quite well against them. His great reads, skating and terrific hands all paid by dividends for UND tonight. He finished the night with two goals.