UND defeats Boston University in series opener – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS — Dixon Ward stood in the tunnel with the UND players before Friday night's game.

He wore full gear, a jersey with the number 11 and the assistant captain's “A” on it – just like he did his senior year in 1991-92.

“You could see he had this look in his eyes,” UND forward Jake Schmaltz said, “like he was going to jump out with us.”

Ward had the opportunity to start the evening by running “One More Shift” during the pregame introduction, a reference to the program’s only player to score 100 goals and 100 assists. UND then proceeded to do something Boston University hadn't done since Ward was in the lineup.

The Fighting Hawks scored five goals in the first 13 minutes and 12 seconds of the game to defeat No. 3 Terriers in the Ralph Engelstad Arena with 7:2.

UND had not scored seven goals at Boston University since an NCAA tournament game in Ward's second season. Ward scored one goal in that game.

“You know The Ralph is crazy when it starts,” Schmaltz said. “I think it's so important to get off to a good start. If we get off to a good start and make good progress, it just fuels our team and then we are pretty dangerous.”

Eric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald

Jackson Kunz, Mac Swanson, Louis Jamernik V, Abram Wiebe and Schmaltz scored points in the first third, burying Boston University early.

Kunz and Ben Strinden scored third-period goals to give UND its most lopsided victory over Boston University since January 25, 1986.

“Once we got a lead, we didn’t go too high or too low,” Schmaltz said. “It was just a machine-like way of thinking and that kind of thing prevailed in the third round too. I thought we were ready to play and will put in the same effort tomorrow.”

UND (3-1) will try to defeat the Terriers (3-1) on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. UND's last contest against the Terriers came in 1986.

“We were outmatched, outmatched – you name it, from start to finish,” Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo said. “We have to see what kind of group we have tomorrow and now we react.”

Several players scored multi-point games.

Jamernik led with one goal and three points. Kunz, a senior, had the first two-goal game of his college career. Swanson scored his first collegiate point on the game's opening goal and scored his first collegiate goal less than four minutes later. Schmaltz, Wiebe and Jayden Perron (two assists) also scored several points on evenings.

The Fighting Hawks chased Boston University starting goaltender Mathieu Caron at 10:31. Caron allowed four goals on six shots.

“It becomes difficult when you don’t win battles and compete all over the ice,” Pandolfo said. “That makes it really difficult. That was the theme all night. We definitely have to find a way to regroup and respond because it won’t be any easier tomorrow night.”

Eric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald

UND mostly kept Boston University's explosive forwards at bay.

“A few things went into it,” Berry said. “First of all… checking. We had sticks on puck, bodies on bodies. We ended up on top, so we were back in the game before they were.”

“We knew they were a very talented team. We had to make it difficult for them. I thought we did a good job from the start. I think the key is to score the first goal of the game. When you score the first goal, you gain momentum.

Berry was also pleased with goaltender TJ Semptimphelter, who stopped 27 of 29 shots. He only conceded a goal at the beginning of the third period.

“TJ was outstanding,” Berry said. “You have to give credit where credit is due and TJ made some saves and if they get one or two early it's a ball game again. He made some saves to keep our momentum going.”

UND improved to 2-0 against Hockey East teams on the young season. The Fighting Hawks defeated Providence in the US Hockey Hall of Fame Game to open the regular season.

“The hardest thing in college is winning on Saturday, especially after Friday,” Schmaltz said. “We know they will give a big boost. The message in our locker room is to just be ready and not just be happy that we won on Friday night. We will be ready for tomorrow.”

Eric Hylden/Grand Forks Herald

Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been named Best Beat Writer for the Herald's circulation department four times by the Associated Press Sports Editors and was named North Dakota Sportswriter of the Year once. He lives in Grand Forks. Reach him at [email protected].