Series of the Week: North Dakota vs. St. Cloud State

Story posted December 7, 2017 in CommRadio, Sports by Ben Ferree

No. 5 North Dakota will face its second straight opponent ranked inside the top 10 when the Fighting Hawks travel to Minnesota to take on the No. 2 St. Cloud State Huskies.

Last weekend the Fighting Hawks passed their first test by sweeping Western Michigan on their home ice. This weekend, the Fighting Hawks will have a bigger test when they travel to take on the Huskies

The Huskies come into this matchup with a 11-2-0 record.

The Huskies are coming off of a sweep of their own as they dominated the University of Nebraska at Omaha last week on the road. However, the last time the Huskies took on a ranked opponent, they were swept by No. 1 Denver.

The Huskies’ offense has been potent this season, scoring 4.5 goals every time they take the ice. The Huskies score this many goals with only an average off 33.7 shots every match.

The Huskies have been dominating the third period so far this season, outscoring opposing teams 27-12.

Junior forward Robby Jackson and sophomore forward Jack Poehling lead the team with goals as both players have put the puck in the back of the net six times this season.

Junior defenseman Jimmy Schuldt leads the team in points with 19, including a team high 14 assists.

One weakness for The Huskies is their defensive play. They are allowing 2.2 goals per game and off the 28 goals they have allowed this season, 10 have been while their opponent is on the power play.

Freshman goalie David Hrenak and junior goalie Jeff Smith have both seen significant time in goal for the Huskies.

Hrenak has started five games this season, allowing 1.99 goals per game with a save percentage of .943. Smith has started eight games and has allowed an average of 2.13 goals per game and has accumulated a save percentage of .927.

The Fighting Hawks will be challenged by this pair of goalies who are playing on their home ice in Minnesota. The Fighting Hawks offense has not been special this season as they are averaging 2.9 goals per game on 30.6 shots.

The Fighting Hawks have also struggled on the power play, only converting on 16 of their 78 opportunities.

The second period is where the Fighting Hawks have been gaining their edge over their opponents as the they are outscoring them 20-9.

Junior forward Nick Jones leads the team in goals with six. Freshman forward Grant Mismash and junior defenseman Christian Wolanin lead the team in points with 14 each. Both players have scored five goals and have nine assists.

The Fighting Hawks are holding opponents to 2.2 goals per game and are limiting opponents to 24.6 shots per game.

Senior goalie Cam Johnson and freshman goalie Peter Thome have both seen time in between the pipes for the Fighting Hawks.

Johnson has started 10 games, allowing an average of 1.7 goals per match with a save percentage of .921. Thome has started the other eight games for the Fighting Hawks and has allowed 2.56 goals per game with a save percentage of .907.

 

Ben Ferree is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in history. To contact him, email ferreebenjaminc@gmail.com.