Why North Dakota Could Sweep The Gophers This Weekend — From Your Boys At The ND Ice Pod.
GRAND FORKS, ND --- North Dakota looking to sweep Minnesota in Grand Forks for the first time since 2009 . . .
Fourteen years ago, the Fighting Sioux dominated the #3 ranked Gophers outscoring them 12-4. Jason Gregoire led the Sioux that weekend with 4 points backed by a stellar performance in net by goaltender Brad Eidsness. The Fighting Hawks will look to replicate the success of that team this weekend.
North Dakota and Minnesota are facing off for the 297th time this Friday. The #1 ranked Gophers are coming off a 2-game sweep against a pesky University of St. Thomas team. Jimmy Snuggerud leads the team in points with five while tallying two power-play goals. Gopher goalie Justen Close will be tested again this weekend by a hard-skilled group of North Dakota forwards.
North Dakota is looking to ride the momentum of their Ice Breaker tournament win, playing an old WCHA rival in Wisconsin helped prepare them for this upcoming weekend. “Wisconsin and Minnesota are both in the same conference and you know they've had some success over the last few years here and within that conference, and I think it does give you familiarity,” Head Coach Brad Berry said.
The Hawks will need big games from their key players this weekend. UND is loaded up front with star talent, many of whom are very familiar with the rivalry. “We’ll be ready,” Riese Gaber said, “You know obviously there's top lines and good players on every team so you know we just got to be ready for them.” The senior captain is currently tied for leading the team in points with three, scoring goals in both games last weekend.
Special teams have been a huge factor for both teams. Graduate transfer Hunter Johannes has been exceptional for UND on the penalty kill. The Eden Prairie MN, native currently leads the country in short-handed goals with two. Minnesota's powerplay is second in the country operating at a simmering 50%; Jimmy Snuggerud has found the back of the net twice for the Gophers.
Gophers enter weekend without key players
Minnesota is without senior defenseman Mike Koster, who had 29 points last season. After the departures of Brock Faber, Jackson LaCombe, and Ryan Johnson, Koster is arguably the #1 defenseman for the Golden Gophers.
Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko also announced senior forward Mason Nevers would remain out this weekend. Mason had 23 points last year finishing 10th in team scoring.
Sophomore defenseman Ryan Chesley is questionable to play this weekend. Chesley played big minutes against the Tommies last weekend, logging 28 minutes on Saturday.
UND will have full options this weekend, everyone practiced on Wednesday and will be available to play.
Goaltending to play a large role this weekend
Miami transfer Ludvig Perrson has been near perfect for the Hawks, only allowing two goals all weekend and stopping all 29 shots against Wisconsin. “I'm glad he's in our net,” Brad Berry commented. “You're just amazed at how calm and composed he is you know, like he looks under control. You know when the puck goes lateral it seems like he is beating the puck as far or tracking the puck and getting to a spot before the shot gets there and you know he's dialed in.”
Justen Close is also off to a good start this season. Close has posted a .917 save percentage, only allowing 2.47 goals per game. The Gopher goalie will need to tune out a riled-up crowd this weekend in order to find success in the net.
Key Freshman to watch
With the departure of key players Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley, the Gophers have looked to freshman Oliver Moore to take the reins. The first-round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks has played up to the hype so far, He registered four assists in the last two games while playing on a loaded line with Brody Lamb and Jimmy Snuggerud.
Freshman Jayden Perron has snuck his way onto North Dakota's top line playing alongside Omaha transfer Cameron Berg and senior captain Riese Gaber. Perron has already made an impact on the ice for the Hawks, scoring a goal against Army last Friday. The third-round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes will need to have a big weekend if the Hawks want to come away with a sweep.
The Gophers will be challenged this weekend, North Dakota will play a physical game while pounding the Gopher's defense with shots on goal. The Ralph is once again expected to sell out, the cheapest tickets available are running just over $100 per night for anything in the upper bowl. A sold-out student section paired with the band and 11,000 drunk fans will create a crazy atmosphere that will not be matched anywhere else in the country.
Only time will tell if the Hawks can earn a sweep at the Ralph this weekend, but the boys from the ND Ice pod fully expect to be firing off some broom emojis by late Saturday night!
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