North Dakota
2018-19 Record: 18-17-2 (12-11-1, 5th in NCHC)
Head Coach: Brad Berry, 4th Year
Top returning scorer: Jordan Kawaguchi (10G-16A)
Top returning goaltenders: Adam Scheel (So.) and Peter Thome (Jr.)
For all intents and purposes, North Dakota's 2018-19 season ended in Buffalo. Twelve months ago that news would be welcomed by fans, a sign the Fighting Hawks returned to the high heights of a program that reached nine Frozen Fours this century.
Today, it ends up being more an acknowledgment about what could have been. North Dakota did not conclude with an April Frozen Four appearance at KeyBank Center. UND missed the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. A major reason has to do with being swept in January by Canisius up the street and seven stories at HarborCenter.
Take away those two losses in Buffalo to the 54th ranked team in the Pairwise and the Fighting Hawks, despite starting conference playoffs on the road for the first time since 2001-02, would be tournament-bound. All in all, North Dakota enters 2019-20 healthy with four 1st and 2nd round NHL draft picks and a chip on its shoulder.
What's New: How does one get over disappointment? (TPIR announcer voice) By splurging on a BRAND NEW SCOREBOARD!
October 5, 2001: Ralph Engelstad Arena official opens with a @UNDmhockey game against Minnesota. Things definitely look different now, but we'll see you again on October 5 when the 2019-2020 season begins. #TBT #100days pic.twitter.com/mg2mfsvbFW— RalphEngelstadArena (@TheREA) June 27, 2019
The Ralph's massive upgrade features college hockey's largest center-hung video board. North Dakota also got new uniforms. The black thirds look better although it would be nice to see one of the sweaters have the Hawks logo. (I'll admit this is not a popular take.)
Six players join this season, including CC grad transfer Westin Michaud. His 30 points (13G-17A) last year would have led North Dakota. Forward Shane Pinto was the first pick of the 2019 second round. Harrison Blaisdell put up 33 goals for Chilliwack (BCHL) while defender Ethan Fritsch helped Moorhead (MN-HS) to the State Tournament. UND's lone early departure was junior Ludvig Hoff.
Closing Thoughts: North Dakota is a good example of the tiny difference between NCAA Tournament contender and watching the same intermission segment eight times. This area is full of successful teams who can point at a bad game or two. Besides UND, UMass Lowell needed a couple wins down the stretch. Minnesota lost at home to Ferris State and St. Lawrence.
The Fighting Hawks are not in as bad shape as being swept by an Atlantic Hockey team, a fifth-place finish in a strong NCHC, and missing the NCAA and NCHC tournaments would say. UND beat each of the top three teams. North Dakota had elite possession numbers. On average, UND had over 9 shots per game more than opponents - a total that puts the team in the category of Frozen Four clubs.
Yet the goals per shots on goal percentage was 52nd of 60 teams. North Dakota lost 12 games last season where UND outshot its opponents. 12! That's the difference.
There's some disappointment, obviously. Few programs have as high expectations annually as UND. Still, the goal totals should rebound towards the mean. Returning a healthy Adam Scheel and Grant Mismash along with getting a second year of Jacob Bernard-Docker will be big.
Fortunately, North Dakota, who outshot Canisius 33-14 and 48-16 in both losses, kicks off the season against the Golden Griffins. It's likely a coincidence, but after falling in a building with one inside it, the Grand Forks Tim Horton's closed.
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