2 weeks Ago By Brad Elliott Schlossman
GRAND FORKS — Dixon Ward stood in the tunnel with UND's players before Friday night's game. He was in full gear, his No. 11 jersey with the alternate captain's A on it, just like his senior year in 1991-92.
ADVERTISEMENT "You could see he had that look in his eye," UND forward Jake Schmaltz said, "like he might hop out there with us." Ward had his moment to start the night, skating "One More Shift" during pregame introductions, then UND proceeded to do something it hadn't done to Boston University since Ward was in the lineup. The Fighting Hawks scored five times in the opening 13 minutes, 12 seconds of the game and hammered the No.
3 Terriers 7-2 in Ralph Engelstad Arena. UND hadn't scored seven on Boston University since Ward's sophomore season. It marked UND's most lopsided victory over Boston University since Jan.
25, 1986, in Boston. "You know The Ralph is crazy when it gets going," Schmaltz said. "I think that's so important to have a good start.
When we have a good start and we're jumping, that just fuels our team and that's when we're pretty dangerous." Jackson Kunz, Mac Swanson, Louis Jamernik V, Abram Wiebe and Schmaltz scored in the first period to bury Boston University early. ADVERTISEMENT Kunz and Ben Strinden tacked on third-period goals for the final margin.
"After we got a lead, we didn't get too high, we didn't get too low," Schmaltz said. "It was just a machine-like mindset and that kind of carried into the third. I thought we were ready to play and we're going to have that same effort tomorrow.
" UND (3-1) will attempt to sweep the Terriers (3-1) at 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
UND's last sweep of the Terriers was 1986. "We got outbattled, outcompeted — you name it — really from start to finish," Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo said. "We've got to see what type of group we have tomorrow and now we respond.
" Several players racked up multi-point games. Jamernik led the way with a goal and three points. Kunz, a senior, had the first two-goal game of his collegiate career.
Swanson tallied his first college point on the game's opening goal, then scored his first college goal less than four minutes later. Schmaltz, Wiebe and Jaden Perron (two assists) also had multi-point nights. The Fighting Hawks chased Boston University starting goaltender Mathieu Caron after 10:31.
Caron allowed four goals on six shots. ADVERTISEMENT "It makes it tough when you don't win battles and compete all over the ice," Pandolfo said. "It makes it really difficult.
That was the issue all night. We certainly have to find a way to regroup, respond, because it's not going to be any easier tomorrow night." UND mostly held Boston University's explosive forwards in check.
"A couple of things went into it," Berry said. "First of all. .
. checking. We had stick on puck, body on body.
We were finishing on top, so we were back in the play before they were. "We knew they were a very talented team. We had to make it hard on them.
I thought we did a good job from the outset. I think the key is scoring the first goal of the game. When you score the first goal, you get momentum.
" Berry also was pleased with goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter, who stopped 27 of 29 shots.
He didn't allow a goal until early in the third period. "T.J.
was outstanding," Berry said. "You have to give credit where credit is due and T.J.
made some saves where if they get one or two early, it's a ballgame game. He made some saves to keep our momentum going." UND improved to 2-0 against Hockey East teams in the young season.
The Fighting Hawks beat Providence in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game to open the regular season.
ADVERTISEMENT "The hardest part in college is getting that Saturday win, especially after Friday," Schmaltz said. "We know they're going to have a big push. The message in our locker room is just to be ready and not to be all happy we got a Friday night win.
We're going to be ready for tomorrow.".
