Thursday, the University of North Dakota takes on the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA Frozen Four Semifinals. The winning team advances to the final game. Loser goes home.
Series history
All-time, UND leads the series against Boston University 12-9-2 (.565). In Grand Forks, UND leads the series against the Terriers 6-1-1 (.813). In Boston, UND trails in the series 4-7-1 (.375). At neutral sites, UND leads the series 2-1-0 (.667). Under head coach Dave Hakstol: UND trails 2-3-1 (.417) Last 10 in the series tied 4-4-2 (.500). In the NCAA Tournament, UND leads the series 3-2-0 (.600). This season, N/A. In series against teams with canine names, UND leads (5-3-0, .625).
Tale of the tape
#1 North Dakota (29-9-3) vs. #2 Boston University (27-7-5)
NCAA Frozen Four Semifinal: April 9, 2015
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: TD North Garden, Boston, MA
Last time out: BU beat UMD (3-2 W)
Last time out: UND beat SCSU (4-1 W)
BU Offense: 2nd nationally
BU Defense: 12th nationally
BU Scoring Margin: 1.59 3rd nationally
BU Penalty Minutes 11.6 per game 25th nationally
BU Corsi# 54.9
BU NCAA Title: 5 (2009, 1995, 1978, 1972, 1971)
BU last 10 games: 8-2-0 (.800)
BU PWR 3rd
UND Offense: 10th nationally
UND Defense: 8th nationally
UND Scoring Margin 1.12 5th nationally
Penalty Minutes 13.5 12th nationally
UND Corsi# 51.7
UND NCAA Titles 7 (2000, 1997, 1987, 1982, 1980, 1963, 1959)
UND PWR: 1st UND last 10 games: 7-3-0 (.700)
TV: ESPN2, DirecTV 209, DISH Network 142, TSN
Live Streaming: ESPN3, WatchESPN, TSNGO
North Dakota: – Forwards: Drake Caggiula (18g-18a—36pts), Michael Parks (12g-20a—32pts), Nick Schmaltz (5g-21a—26pts), Luke Johnson (10g-13a—23pts), Brendan O’Donnell (13g-7a—20pts), Connor Gaarder (9g-10a—19pts). Defense: Jordan Schmaltz (4g-23a—27pts), Paul LaDue (5g-17a—22pts), Nick Mattson (4g-16a—20pts), Tucker Poolman (8g-9a—17pts), Troy Stecher (2g-12a—12pts), Keaton Thompson (3g-8a—11pts). Goalies: Zane McIntyre (29-9-3, 2.00 GAA, .931 SV%), Cam Johnson (0-0-0, 5.54 GAA, .765SV%).
UND Injuries: Mark MacMillan (16g-9a—25pts) out for the season lower-body injury
Boston University: Forwards: Jack Eichel (24g-43g—67pts), Evan Rodrigues (21g-40a—61pts), Danny O’Regan (22g-26a—48pts), Cason Hohmann (10g-18a—28pts), Matt Lane (8g-10a—18pts). Defense: Matt Grzelcyk (10g-27a—37pts), Ahti Oksanen (24g-11a—35pts), Brandon Fortunato (1g-17a—18pts). Goalies: Matt O’Connor (24-3-4, 2.10 GAA, .928 SV%), Conno LaCouvee (3-4-1, 2.58, .913 SV%).
Special teams
Boston University – The Terriers power play is ranked 2nd in the nation (40/156 25.6%). The Terriers penalty kill is ranked 28th in the nation (133/160, 83.1).
North Dakota – UND’s power play is ranked 18th in the nation (32/163, 19.6). UND’s penalty kill is ranked 24th in the nation (140/166 84.8).
Will Hakstol’s team finally get over the top?
UND head coach Dave Hakstol has coached the UND hockey team for 11 season. During his 11-year stint, UND has never missed the conference championship (WCHA and NCHC) or the NCAA playoffs. During that time, his team have compiled a 289-141-43 (.656) record.
In the NCAA tourney, Hakstol has a 17-10 record and his teams have qualified for the Frozen Four in seven of his 11 seasons. By most people’s standards, that’s an impressive run.
Hakstol’s only fault, his team’s have a 1-6 record in the Frozen Four. This subject has garnered a fair amount of discussion among UND fans. Will this be the year Hakstol’s team finally gets over the top? Stay tuned.
