Almost weekly, University of North Dakota head coach Brad Berry talks about the importance of getting off to a quick start. Tonight, coach Berry’s team took that advice to heart when freshman forward Brock Boeser scored 51 seconds into the game.
UND almost scored again when Boeser hit the pipe later in the first period. UND kept pushing, but couldn’t get any more pucks past Miami RedHawks goalie Ryan McKay.
After one period of play, UND led the RedHawks 1-0. UND also outshot the RedHawks 13-4.
UND would continue to push the pace in the second period, but would end up on the wrong end of a 2-1 score entering the third period. Scoring for Miami was Louie Belpedio and Sean Kurlay.
UND would tie the game in the third period with a goal from freshman forward Rhett Gardner.
The feisty RedHawks didn’t give up the fight. The game was tied for nine minutes before the RedHawk took another 3-2 lead with a goal from Josh Melnick. UND didn’t panic and kept pushing to tie the game.
“We had the momentum that whole third period,” UND junior defenseman Gage Ausmus said. “We knew we still had it on our side. We were looking up at the scoreboard and they only had 14 or 15 shots or something and we had 30. So, we were bound to get another one. Stick with the game plan and it would work itself out.”
With about two minutes left in the game, UND had pulled the goalie for the extra attacker. UND would re-tie the game at the 18:26 mark of the third period with a goal from Nick Schmaltz.
“It wasn’t quite four minutes, but it was an opportunity in the offensive zone,” coach Berry said. “I knew it was an icing call and I could’ve rested our players, but I wanted to make sure that our players knew what the plan was. They got rested, too. Again, I think it was a pretty good time to call it. Matt Shaw drew up a plan and our guys executed it.”
“I don’t know what really happened,” Schmaltz said. “It was pinballing all over the place and found my stick. I was just fortunate enough to put it home.”
Good rushes by Miami to counter, but 60 minutes aren’t enough here. We’ll go to OT tied 3-3. pic.twitter.com/xtJB52vJNB
— The Brotherhood (@MiamiOH_Hockey) November 15, 2015
UND would get the game-winning goal from junior forward Luke Johnson at the 1:23 mark of overtime.
“Well it started with a scrum in the corner,” Johnson said. “Didn’t have much of play, so I figured why not get it on the net? I like to put it off the (goalie’s) pads often and it goes in from time-to-time. So, I will keep doing that.”
The sweep of the RedHawks is huge for UND because they don’t travel to Oxford, Ohio, this season.
“It’s good because it’s our only games against them this year,” Schmaltz said. It’s huge for our standings and obviously for the national tournament getting that season series win.”
Stats
With the win, UND junior goalie Matt Hrynkiw improves to (8-1-1, 1.81 GAA, .920 SV%).
Freshman forward Rhett Gardner scored goals in back-to-back games this weekend.
Sophomore forward Nick Schmaltz finished the weekend with a (2g-4a—6pts) weekend.
Freshman forward Brock Boeser finished the weekend with a (2g-3a—5pts) weekend.
Next weekend, UND travels to St. Cloud, Minnesota, to take on the Huskies.
