WCHA Consolation Game: UND(4) v. CC(2)
Posted by: dane1st Period Notes
I am no bracket expert, but with CC losing last night, here is my limited knowledge on the subject (thanks to Brad Schlossman from the Grand Forks Herald): the winner of this game will receive a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Further, they will be the third ranked #1 seed, meaning they will be ahead of the University of New Hampshire, who until last night’s 20 OT loss to Boston College, were a lock for this third #1 seed. With the loss, they get bumped into the fourth #1 seed. Now according to my editor Adam Wodon (the self-professed bracket guru), here are the scenarios if UND wins: 1) They go to Worcestor (somewhere out East) and play as the third #1 seed – this if the committee decides stricly on a rankings basis; or 2) They go to Colorado Springs, still playing as the third #1 seed, where they would have to face CC as a #2 seed – this is if the committee decides strictly on a proximity basis (I am skeptical of this, however, because the committee always preaches its distaste of pitting conference foes against one another when possible). On the flipside, if CC wins, here is the scenario: 1) They go to Colorado Springs as the third #1 seed, who they play is too complicated for me to decipher, sorry.
Basically, what I am saying is that although this is a third place game, it has tremendous implications for seeding in the NCAA tournament. I probably should have just said that to begin with instead of my pseduo bracket analysis, but whatever.
In the words of Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar: “GAME ON!”
First two observations of the game: 1) UND is still sporting mustaches, which is excellent. They flashed UND’s Taylor Chorney’s mug on the jumbotron and it was beautiful; and 2) CC is fast – real fast. CC’s Billy Sweatt just blew past UND’s Joe Finley (surprise) and had a decent scoring chance on UND’s J.P. Lamoureux. Sweatt was doing similar things last night against UM. Let’s see if CC’s team speed turns out to be a difference maker in the contest.
Goal – CC’s Chad Rau at 7:56. Bad pinch by a UND defenseman left Rau open in the neutral zone for a long pass. Rau, being the goalscorer that he is, beat UND’s J.P. Lamoureux with a nifty move. As good as his numbers are, one thing Lamoureux struggles with are breakaways – I think I have seen him stop far less than he has let in this year. In his defense, the puck has had to have gotten beyond five other guys before him, but still, you would like to see a bit higher breakaway save percentage.
Seconds after the goal, CC called for a penalty – let’s see if UND has an answer. No answer.
The boards here at the X are some of the bounciest I have ever seen. Seconds ago, CC almost capitalized on a big bounce just like UM did in their Thursday night game against SCSU.
Goal – UND at 19:21 by T.J. Oshie, on the powerplay. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. After a flurry of a powerplay, in which CC’s Richard Bachman faced a myraid of UND shots, Oshie stuffs in a rebound goal at the very end of the powerplay. UND fans back into the game. It’s funny how scoring is, because the goal was probably the ugliest scenario given the many well created chances UND had while on the powerplay. I’m sure they don’t care, though, as they all count for the same.
End of period, tie game. Has to be a huge victory for UND to go into intermission in a tie instead of behind.
2nd Period Notes
CC player just called for knocking the net off amidst a lengthy surge in pressure by UND. Good call by ref Don Adam (yes, I see the irony). With UND’s momentum, I’m calling a powerplay goal – we’ll see if I’m right or not.
I’m good.
Goal – UND at 5:01 on the powerplay by Chris Vande Velde. Great display of hand-eye coordination by Vande Velde as he tipped a laser one-timer by Taylor Chorney from the point. CC’s Bachman had no chance (sound familiar?). UND has definately taken over this period’s momentum. Assists given to Chorney and Oshie – it seems to me that Oshie is playing with a sense of urgency, as he was somewhat marginalized yesterday by DU. Who knows, though.
Leave it to UND’s J.P. Lamoureux to prove me wrong – he just made an amazing stick-poke save on a CC breakaway. Penalty also called on the play, CC will be on the powerplay after this stupid “Dance-Mania” crap that fan’s for some reason go bananas for.
Goal – UND at 10:27 on the powerplay by Chay Genoway. Looked a lot like the goal that DU scored to beat UND, except Genoway didn’t roof CC’s Bachman, instead he slipped it between his legs. Directly off the faceoff, Genoway picked up the puck and simply went coast-to-coast. He pulled a CC’s Chad Rau and took the CC defenseman wide before beating him and eventually Bachman. With the powerplay goal, UND is now 3-for-4 today on the powerplay. CC, here’s a hint: Stop breaking the law.
I wish somebody at CC had the heart to tell head coach Scotty Owens that the Cosmo Kramer isn’t a hairstyle anymore.
Goal – CC at 16:36 on the powerplay by Jimmy Kilpatrick. Shot came from the point, UND’s J.P. Lamoureux faced up and saved it, but the rebound popped out directly onto the stick of Kilpatrick. On the doorstep, Kilpatrick directed the puck into an open net. Today, the storyline that is emerging seems to be special teams, as four of the five goals have been scored on the powerplay.
Period ends, shots UND = 30 and CC = 21.
3rd Period Notes
Goal – UND at about 10:00 by Darcy Zajac. Sorry for the delay, my computer is jacked up right now. Zajac goes on a 2-on-1, looks off CC’s Bachman and then beats him short side. Good accuracy by Zajac.
Big save by UND’s J.P. Lamoureux. Very nice glove.
4-2 UND at 5:21 left in the game. Look for CC’s Bachman to leave the net soon circa former UND coach Dean Blais in the 2001 national championship game, in which his team came back from two goals (with a pulled goalie, mind you) in the final four minutes only to lose in overtime to Boston College.
Bachman’s out with 1:38 left. Timeout taken by CC. Let’s see if Owens can pull a rabbit out of his hat.
Game over, 4-2 the final. UND is a #1 seed in the NCAAs.
