After months in hibernation and a web move, I'm back. Unfortunately, mother nature sent me into an addition hibernation on the return trip from Minneapolis to Grand Forks, so this first report will be an abbreviated one. But don't worry, I'll be back soon and will have lots of surprises.
And now, the rest of the story.......
The first meeting of the co-defending league champs proved to be an exciting one. For the first time in years, the boys in green (or is it black now) weren't a decided underdog. Minnesota was inconsistent in splits with Maine and Duluth. North Dakota hadn't even played anyone, so no one knew what to expect. What we got were two more classic games to add to this legendary series.
Friday Oct. 31 - Minn. 6, UND 5
The rust was evident in the early going for UND. Minnesota took the early lead, weathered two gutsy Sioux rallies and picked up the win. UND gave up some soft goals, something that probably won't last long. North Dakota All-American defenseman Curtis Murphy was involved in the two plays of the night. He was undressed by Aaron Miskovich on the goal that gave Minnesota the lead for good. Then on a furious rush off the faceoff, he threaded the Minnesota defense to get UND to within 6-5 in the games final minute. Neither goaltender shined in this one.
Saturday Nov. 1 - UND 3, Minn. 2
The Sioux stopped a 10 game winless streak in Minneapolis with a comeback win. The games was reminiscent of the season opener of a year ago and also the second UND-UM game in Grand Forks last year. The Gophers stuck quickly, with Reg Berg tallying only seven seconds in. But from their on, Aaron Schweizwer was in charge. The sophomore made several huge stops in the second period to keep the Minnesota lead from expanding. Finally the conditioning of UND forced the floodgates open in the third, with Murphy coming in on a breakaway for the game winner.
Overall thoughts
Miskovich is scary, a definite ROY candidate ... crowd of about 8500 Friday, 9200 Saturday ... Sioux really need to work on the power play ... surreal moment: Casey Hankinson, thrown out the previous night, handing a $10,000 flood relief check to UND captain Mitch Vig - if the players can separate the game from real life, why can't some fans ... Blais timeout call in the second period may have saved the game, really slowed up Minnesota's mometum ... officiating was awful, lots of holding and hooking uncalled, and then a bogus delay of game call ... UND is now 6-3 in the last nine games in the series, and is 5-0-1 in the last six in Grand Forks.
This Weekend in the WCHA
See ya
Vindy.
Let's Drop The Puck.
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