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Jan. 16—GRAND FORKS — Zeev Buium is gone.
Denver's dynamic offensive defenseman, who tallied an incredible 98 points in just two college seasons, signed with the NHL's Minnesota Wild after last season.
Buium created offense at will through his elite skating ability. He was especially dangerous on the power play, where he could pull defenses out of position.
Although the Pioneers lost the country's most dynamic blue liner, they come to Grand Forks this weekend posing new challenges from the back end.
Denver's top two scorers are defensemen Eric Pohlkamp of Brainerd, Minn., and Boston Buckberger.
Pohlkamp is emerging as a Hobey Baker Award candidate.
He leads the nation in goals (13) and points (24) by a defenseman.
Pohlkamp loves to shoot the puck — and for good reason.
At the Spengler Cup, one of his goals was clocked at 102.1 miles per hour. That would have been the fifth-hardest shot in the NHL this season.
Pohlkamp has put 108 shots on net, more than any player in the nation — forward or defense. The next closest is Arizona State forward Cruz Lucius at 95.
Pohlkamp has attempted 196 this season, an average of 8.5 per game.
What does UND have to do to try to slow him down?
"Just taking away time and space, especially on their power play," UND coach Dane Jackson said. "Be in his grill. Have a great stick and just be aware of where he is so you can close quickly and not give up those opportunities."
On the power play, Pohlkamp often starts out on top of the zone, but once the Pioneers get full possession, he rotates into the left circle, where his right-handed shot is open to the rest of the ice. Rookie forward Clarke Caswell rotates to the top, while Buckberger goes to the right circle. Sam Harris and Kyle Chyzowski round out the top unit.
"They're a really skilled team," UND defenseman E.J. Emery said. "They have a lot of great players, a lot of guys that can put the puck in the back of the net. It's really limiting our turnovers and not giving them easy chances."
Denver's defensive corps has 69 points this season.
UND's defensive corps also can add offense.
The Fighting Hawks have 62 points from the back end this season. Jake Livanavage (20 points), Abram Wiebe (14) and Keaton Verhoeff (12) lead the offensive attack for UND from the blue line.
UND got swept at home by Denver last season and will look to turn the tables this season.
"We have guys that want to go to war for each other," Emery said. "Those are the types of teams that win big games and win in big moments. Everyone says they're a close team. There's a different feeling with this team. Everyone is getting along, everyone is hanging out with each other and everyone wants to go to war for each other."
UND DU
2 NPI 11
17-5 Rec 12-9-2
3.8 (6th) Off 3.6 (11th)
2.1 (4th) Def 2.4 (12th)
31.3 (3rd) PP 20.7 (29th)
82.9 (20th) PK 82.3 (27th)
52.6 (16th) FO 51.3 (20th)
.908 (20th) SP .916 (10th)
Note: National rank in parentheses. Categories are NPI ranking, record, offense (goals per game), defense (goals against per game), power play percentage, penalty kill percentage, faceoff percentage and team save percentage.
UND — F Josh Zakreski out (lower), F Cody Croal questionable (ill)
Denver — F Brendan McMorrow out (upper), D Tory Pitner questionable (undisclosed), D Garrett Brown probable (undisclosed)
While we discussed plenty about Denver's prolific group from the back end, there are difference-makers up front, too. Denver forward Sam Harris has 46 collegiate goals in 108 games. Harris has five points in his last five games against the Fighting Hawks. The Montreal Canadiens pick is an excellent skater and attacks from the wing on Denver's top line.
Denver attacks quickly and with loads of skill. This may be the deepest offensive team UND has played to this point in the season. This is where having a defenseman like Emery, who can skate and shut down opponents, is so critical. Emery has made a huge jump in play as a sophomore. He is coming off of a strong weekend at Colorado College and will need to be excellent again.
Since realignment, this series has been pretty close to even. UND holds a slight 23-21-7 edge. UND held the season series for three years in a row between 2019-22, but Denver has taken it in two of the last three years. Can UND strike back in the only regular-season series between the teams this season?
Friday: UND 4, Denver 2
Saturday: Denver 4, UND 2
2024-25: 3-1 Denver
2023-24: 3-1 North Dakota
2022-23: 4-0 Denver
2021-22: 2-0 North Dakota
2020-21: 5-2 North Dakota
2019-20: 3-0-1 North Dakota
2018-19: 4-1-1 Denver
2017-18: 1-1-2
2016-17: 1-1-1
2015-16: 3-2-1 North Dakota
2014-15: 2-2-1
2013-14: 1-1
TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD). Alex Heinert play-by-play, Jim Scanlan analyst, Taylor Budge and Monique Lamoureux-Morando.
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM). Tim Hennessy play-by-play, Mike LaMoine analyst.
Stream: NCHChockey.com/tv.
GFH:
Most rivalries are built on proximity. UND-Denver is different
GFH:
Q&A with senior forward Tyler Young
GFH:
White out scheduled for Saturday's series finale
GFH:
The transfer portal window is changing. What does it mean?
GFH:
Jon Gruden shows off his UND hockey gear
GFH:
Keaton Verhoeff, four UND commits land on Central Scouting's draft rankings
TSN:
Craig Button updates NHL Draft rankings
The Athletic:
Meet Troy Stecher, the Toronto Maple Leafs' new cult hero
Scoring
21 Ben Strinden (NSH), sr, f, 13-9—22
17 Cole Reschny (CGY), fr, f, 3-17—20
4 Jake Livanavage, jr, d, 3-17—20
26 Dylan James (DET), sr, f, 12-5—17
9 Will Zellers (BOS), fr, f, 10-7—17
29 Ellis Rickwood, sr, f, 4-13—17
7 Mac Swanson (PIT), so, f, 4-11—15
25 Abram Wiebe (VGK), jr, d, 3-11—14
18 Keaton Verhoeff (2026), fr, d, 4-8—12
8 Ollie Josephson (SEA), fr, f, 3-8—11
20 Cade Littler (CGY), so, f, 4-6—10
15 Jack Kernan, fr, f, 5-4—9
19 Cody Croal, so, f, 5-3—8
27 Anthony Menghini, jr, f, 2-4—6
6 E.J. Emery (NYR), so, d, 2-3—5
22 David Klee (SJS), fr, f, 2-3—5
14 Tyler Young, sr, f, 2-2—4
13 Sam Laurila (NYI), fr, d, 0-4—4
2 Bennett Zmolek, sr, d, 1-2—3
24 Josh Zakreski, fr, f, 1-2—3
16 Andrew Strathmann (CBJ), so, d, 0-2—2
3 Jayden Jubenvill, so, d, 0-2—2
28 Dalton Andrew, so, f, 0-0—0
11 Ian Engel, fr, d, 0-0—0
35 Jan Špunar, fr, g, 0-0—0
31 Gibson Homer, sr, g, 0-0—0
1 Zach Sandy, sr, g, dnp
Goaltending
35 Jan Špunar, fr, g, 11-1, 1.67, .929
31 Gibson Homer, sr, g, 6-4, 2.43, .895
1 Zach Sandy, sr, dnp
Scoring
23 Eric Pohlkamp (SJS), jr, d, 13-11—24
9 Boston Buckberger, jr, d, 7-13—20
12 Sam Harris (MTL), jr, f, 9-9—18
25 Clarke Caswell (SEA), fr, f, 3-15—18
14 Rieger Lorenz (MIN), sr, f, 7-10—17
27 James Reeder (LAK), so, f, 5-11—16
11 Samu Salminen (NJD), sr, f, 5-9—14
16 Kyle Chyzowski, fr, f, 5-9—14
15 Eric Jamieson (CGY), fr, d, 6-7—13
13 Hagen Burrows (TBL), so, f, 4-7—11
19 Jake Fisher (COL), so, f, 4-7—11
8 Kristian Epperson (LAK), fr, f, 6-4—10
24 Kieran Cebrian, jr, f, 3-6—9
5 Garrett Brown (WPG), jr, d, 1-7—8
22 Brendan McMorrow (LAK), fr, f, 2-5—7
28 Reid Varkonyi, fr, f, 1-4—5
10 Brady Milburn, fr, f, 1-3—4
3 Cale Ashcroft, jr, d, 0-3—3
21 Kent Anderson, sr, d, 1-0—1
18 Payton Nelson, fr, f, 0-0—0
6 Alec Whipple, so, d, 0-0—0
29 Quentin Miller (MTL), fr, g, 0-0—0
30 Paxton Geisel, jr, g, 0-0—0
31 Johnny Hicks, fr, g, 0-0—0
2 Tory Pitner (COL), so, d, dnp
17 Peter LaJoy, jr, f, dnp
Goaltending
29 Quentin Miller (MTL), fr, 11-8-2, 2.27, .919
30 Paxton Geisel, jr, 1-1, 1.53, .943
31 Johnny Hicks, fr, 0-0, 0.00, 1.000
Continue reading...
Denver's dynamic offensive defenseman, who tallied an incredible 98 points in just two college seasons, signed with the NHL's Minnesota Wild after last season.
Buium created offense at will through his elite skating ability. He was especially dangerous on the power play, where he could pull defenses out of position.
Although the Pioneers lost the country's most dynamic blue liner, they come to Grand Forks this weekend posing new challenges from the back end.
Denver's top two scorers are defensemen Eric Pohlkamp of Brainerd, Minn., and Boston Buckberger.
Pohlkamp is emerging as a Hobey Baker Award candidate.
He leads the nation in goals (13) and points (24) by a defenseman.
Pohlkamp loves to shoot the puck — and for good reason.
At the Spengler Cup, one of his goals was clocked at 102.1 miles per hour. That would have been the fifth-hardest shot in the NHL this season.
Pohlkamp has put 108 shots on net, more than any player in the nation — forward or defense. The next closest is Arizona State forward Cruz Lucius at 95.
Pohlkamp has attempted 196 this season, an average of 8.5 per game.
What does UND have to do to try to slow him down?
"Just taking away time and space, especially on their power play," UND coach Dane Jackson said. "Be in his grill. Have a great stick and just be aware of where he is so you can close quickly and not give up those opportunities."
On the power play, Pohlkamp often starts out on top of the zone, but once the Pioneers get full possession, he rotates into the left circle, where his right-handed shot is open to the rest of the ice. Rookie forward Clarke Caswell rotates to the top, while Buckberger goes to the right circle. Sam Harris and Kyle Chyzowski round out the top unit.
"They're a really skilled team," UND defenseman E.J. Emery said. "They have a lot of great players, a lot of guys that can put the puck in the back of the net. It's really limiting our turnovers and not giving them easy chances."
Denver's defensive corps has 69 points this season.
UND's defensive corps also can add offense.
The Fighting Hawks have 62 points from the back end this season. Jake Livanavage (20 points), Abram Wiebe (14) and Keaton Verhoeff (12) lead the offensive attack for UND from the blue line.
UND got swept at home by Denver last season and will look to turn the tables this season.
"We have guys that want to go to war for each other," Emery said. "Those are the types of teams that win big games and win in big moments. Everyone says they're a close team. There's a different feeling with this team. Everyone is getting along, everyone is hanging out with each other and everyone wants to go to war for each other."
UND DU
2 NPI 11
17-5 Rec 12-9-2
3.8 (6th) Off 3.6 (11th)
2.1 (4th) Def 2.4 (12th)
31.3 (3rd) PP 20.7 (29th)
82.9 (20th) PK 82.3 (27th)
52.6 (16th) FO 51.3 (20th)
.908 (20th) SP .916 (10th)
Note: National rank in parentheses. Categories are NPI ranking, record, offense (goals per game), defense (goals against per game), power play percentage, penalty kill percentage, faceoff percentage and team save percentage.
UND — F Josh Zakreski out (lower), F Cody Croal questionable (ill)
Denver — F Brendan McMorrow out (upper), D Tory Pitner questionable (undisclosed), D Garrett Brown probable (undisclosed)
While we discussed plenty about Denver's prolific group from the back end, there are difference-makers up front, too. Denver forward Sam Harris has 46 collegiate goals in 108 games. Harris has five points in his last five games against the Fighting Hawks. The Montreal Canadiens pick is an excellent skater and attacks from the wing on Denver's top line.
Denver attacks quickly and with loads of skill. This may be the deepest offensive team UND has played to this point in the season. This is where having a defenseman like Emery, who can skate and shut down opponents, is so critical. Emery has made a huge jump in play as a sophomore. He is coming off of a strong weekend at Colorado College and will need to be excellent again.
Since realignment, this series has been pretty close to even. UND holds a slight 23-21-7 edge. UND held the season series for three years in a row between 2019-22, but Denver has taken it in two of the last three years. Can UND strike back in the only regular-season series between the teams this season?
Friday: UND 4, Denver 2
Saturday: Denver 4, UND 2
2024-25: 3-1 Denver
2023-24: 3-1 North Dakota
2022-23: 4-0 Denver
2021-22: 2-0 North Dakota
2020-21: 5-2 North Dakota
2019-20: 3-0-1 North Dakota
2018-19: 4-1-1 Denver
2017-18: 1-1-2
2016-17: 1-1-1
2015-16: 3-2-1 North Dakota
2014-15: 2-2-1
2013-14: 1-1
TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD). Alex Heinert play-by-play, Jim Scanlan analyst, Taylor Budge and Monique Lamoureux-Morando.
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM). Tim Hennessy play-by-play, Mike LaMoine analyst.
Stream: NCHChockey.com/tv.
GFH:
Most rivalries are built on proximity. UND-Denver is different
GFH:
Q&A with senior forward Tyler Young
GFH:
White out scheduled for Saturday's series finale
GFH:
The transfer portal window is changing. What does it mean?
GFH:
Jon Gruden shows off his UND hockey gear
GFH:
Keaton Verhoeff, four UND commits land on Central Scouting's draft rankings
TSN:
Craig Button updates NHL Draft rankings
The Athletic:
Meet Troy Stecher, the Toronto Maple Leafs' new cult hero
Scoring
21 Ben Strinden (NSH), sr, f, 13-9—22
17 Cole Reschny (CGY), fr, f, 3-17—20
4 Jake Livanavage, jr, d, 3-17—20
26 Dylan James (DET), sr, f, 12-5—17
9 Will Zellers (BOS), fr, f, 10-7—17
29 Ellis Rickwood, sr, f, 4-13—17
7 Mac Swanson (PIT), so, f, 4-11—15
25 Abram Wiebe (VGK), jr, d, 3-11—14
18 Keaton Verhoeff (2026), fr, d, 4-8—12
8 Ollie Josephson (SEA), fr, f, 3-8—11
20 Cade Littler (CGY), so, f, 4-6—10
15 Jack Kernan, fr, f, 5-4—9
19 Cody Croal, so, f, 5-3—8
27 Anthony Menghini, jr, f, 2-4—6
6 E.J. Emery (NYR), so, d, 2-3—5
22 David Klee (SJS), fr, f, 2-3—5
14 Tyler Young, sr, f, 2-2—4
13 Sam Laurila (NYI), fr, d, 0-4—4
2 Bennett Zmolek, sr, d, 1-2—3
24 Josh Zakreski, fr, f, 1-2—3
16 Andrew Strathmann (CBJ), so, d, 0-2—2
3 Jayden Jubenvill, so, d, 0-2—2
28 Dalton Andrew, so, f, 0-0—0
11 Ian Engel, fr, d, 0-0—0
35 Jan Špunar, fr, g, 0-0—0
31 Gibson Homer, sr, g, 0-0—0
1 Zach Sandy, sr, g, dnp
Goaltending
35 Jan Špunar, fr, g, 11-1, 1.67, .929
31 Gibson Homer, sr, g, 6-4, 2.43, .895
1 Zach Sandy, sr, dnp
Scoring
23 Eric Pohlkamp (SJS), jr, d, 13-11—24
9 Boston Buckberger, jr, d, 7-13—20
12 Sam Harris (MTL), jr, f, 9-9—18
25 Clarke Caswell (SEA), fr, f, 3-15—18
14 Rieger Lorenz (MIN), sr, f, 7-10—17
27 James Reeder (LAK), so, f, 5-11—16
11 Samu Salminen (NJD), sr, f, 5-9—14
16 Kyle Chyzowski, fr, f, 5-9—14
15 Eric Jamieson (CGY), fr, d, 6-7—13
13 Hagen Burrows (TBL), so, f, 4-7—11
19 Jake Fisher (COL), so, f, 4-7—11
8 Kristian Epperson (LAK), fr, f, 6-4—10
24 Kieran Cebrian, jr, f, 3-6—9
5 Garrett Brown (WPG), jr, d, 1-7—8
22 Brendan McMorrow (LAK), fr, f, 2-5—7
28 Reid Varkonyi, fr, f, 1-4—5
10 Brady Milburn, fr, f, 1-3—4
3 Cale Ashcroft, jr, d, 0-3—3
21 Kent Anderson, sr, d, 1-0—1
18 Payton Nelson, fr, f, 0-0—0
6 Alec Whipple, so, d, 0-0—0
29 Quentin Miller (MTL), fr, g, 0-0—0
30 Paxton Geisel, jr, g, 0-0—0
31 Johnny Hicks, fr, g, 0-0—0
2 Tory Pitner (COL), so, d, dnp
17 Peter LaJoy, jr, f, dnp
Goaltending
29 Quentin Miller (MTL), fr, 11-8-2, 2.27, .919
30 Paxton Geisel, jr, 1-1, 1.53, .943
31 Johnny Hicks, fr, 0-0, 0.00, 1.000
Continue reading...
