Again, instead of traditional weekend previews, check this space on the CHN blog each Saturday for developing mid-weekend NCHC storylines and observations from Friday night games.

Friday’s results: road wins by North Dakota (4-3 at St. Cloud) and Minnesota-Duluth (5-0 at Colorado College), and a pair of 3-3 ties (Nebraska-Omaha at Miami, and in the lone nonconference game of the night, Denver at Wisconsin). Though the game ended as a 3-3 tie for NCAA record purposes, Miami earned the extra NCHC standings point by scoring in the 3-on-3 OT period. As a reminder, NCHC conference games play a five minute 5-on-5 OT followed by a 5 minute 3-on-3 OT if the game remains tied (and then, if still tied, a shootout).

1. Slow out of the gates

It was an unfortunate opening minute for Colorado College last night, playing at home against Minnesota-Duluth At least three turnovers in the defensive zone led to groans around the World Arena in Colorado Springs, with fans looking for a one-time powerhouse to show some signs of life. CC came into the night with an 0-10-0 record and 1:12 into the first, fell behind 1-0 thanks to UMD’s Austin Farley’s seeing-eye wrist shot from the slot.

Certainly, UMD pressured the Tigers and came out of the gates looking for a goal as quickly as possible, but it was far from reassuring from a CC standpoint to see the Tigers start so slowly — all things considered. Netminder Tyler Marble had little chance on the goal, which is a shame considering the flashes of talent he still is able to show (one example was on a UMD breakaway in the second period). The Bulldogs put the game away in the second with three quick even-strength goals in a 4:14 span. The Tigers mustered just 19 shots on goal, fell to 0-11-0 (the last remaining winlesss team in the nation), and continue to test head coach Mike Haviland.

2. Save of the game

The obvious story for the North Dakota Fighting Hawks last night was the hat trick by Drake Caggiula, who continues to haunt St. Cloud State. Caggiula was quick to the puck, scoring his second on a nice back-door power play opportunity and his third by collecting a rebound off the backboards before the Huskies defense could recover. But the underrated turning point in the game came in the second period, with North Dakota ahead 2-1 and on the power play. St. Cloud found itself with a prime opportunity to tie the game. Sophomore Judd Peterson, a Buffalo Sabres draft pick, got behind UND’s Tucker Poolman for a shorthanded breakaway. UND goaltender Matt Hrynkiw made his impressive glove save look easy, dramatically skating to the corner with the puck after snatching Peterson’s attempt, and that was the closest the Huskies came to tying the game for the rest of the game.

Both teams’ power plays looked strong last night (especially North Dakota’s, which went 2-for-3). That’s a storyline to watch heading into tonight’s rematch.

3. Goal line

In last night’s 3-3 tie between Miami and UNO (with Miami ultimately taking the extra point in double-OT), each team’s leading goal-scorer — Miami’s Jack Roslovic and Omaha’s Austin Ortega — showed one reason why they find the scoresheet so frequently: they’ll shoot from anywhere. Each team’s third goal of the night came from near-impossible angle shots from the goal line, and in each case, Roslovic and Ortega surprised their opposing goaltenders for the shot. Roslovic, a freshman, continues to roll, and seemed rejuvenated playing back alongside Anthony Louis — a lineup change that Roslovic hinted at when I spoke with him earlier in the week. Check the CHN main site early this week for a full feature on one of the top rookies in the country.

Saturday, November 21st, 2015 - 5:01 pm | Blogs, NCHC, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings