A dominant three-goal 2nd period helped the Fighting Hawks defeat the scrappy and talented Providence team in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game this past Saturday.
UND defeated Providence 5-2 in their season opener at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
“That was an NHL-caliber shot,” Head Coach Brad Berry stated.
Freshman forward Sacha Boisvert stole the show with his first career goal, which came on a powerplay in the 2nd period. Boisvert sniped it off the goalpost and in from the top of the circle to make it 4-1 UND. Sacha ended the night with a goal and an assist.
“Nothing like I’ve been part of before, just in front of so many people. Happy to get the win tonight,” Boisvert said post-game.
The Fighting Hawks got jump started after a slow start to the 1st period. Providence freshman forward John Mustard fired a shot on net after the whistle, starting a scuffle at center ice.
“After that, we were moving and we were taking charge of the game,” Berry stated.
The Fighting Hawks scored 78 seconds later thanks to one of their many beautiful displays of passing on Saturday night.
Junior forward Owen McLaughlin and freshman defenseman EJ Emery went tic-tac-toe to senior forward Cameron Berg for a backdoor tap-in to put UND up 1-0 in the 1st period.
With the game tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, UND stomped Providence in the 2nd period.
Junior forward Dylan James kicked off the scoring with a tap-in after a passing clinic by UND offensively. Then, sophomore forward Jayden Perron scored off of a bouncing betty in front of the Providence net to put UND up 3-1.
Providence tried to play a physical and scrappy brand of hockey all night, but the Fighting Hawks answered the bell.
“We say we all want to play with hard skill, and that means bumping players and winning our battles,” James stated.
After a Providence power-play goal to make it 4-2 in the 3rd period. Dylan James, on his 21st birthday, got his second goal of the night after winning a puck race and launching a spin-o-rama off a Providence player’s stick into the empty net.
The Fighting Hawks made adjustments after their rough exhibition loss to Augustana, mixing up all of their lines. The new lines were able to generate more offense, meshing effectively. UND’s depth was on full display Saturday night.
“I think there is a little bit of everything on the lines,” Berry stated.
Boisvert was not the only freshman to touch the scoresheet. Forward Cody Croal, defenseman Emery, and defenseman Andrew Strathmann all had their first career points with an assist each.
Graduate student goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter made key saves when he had to throughout the game. He allowed two goals on 24 shots.
“He held the fort for us, that was huge,” Berry stated.
UND outshot Providence 31-24 and won the faceoff battle 32-27.
Saturday night was more than just an opening night at the Ralph. It was also the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame game. The festivities started early in the arena with every fan getting glow towels that lit up the Ralph with kelly green.
Dave Berger, a local legend, sang The Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America while a gigantic American flag stretched across the center ice. 11,703 fans filled the sold-out Ralph Engelstad Arena in a key win for UND to kickstart the season.
The alumni came in numbers. Former UND hockey players were shown on the jumbotron frequently, and even former UND Head Coach Dave Hextall was in attendance.
This was the first time UND had faced Providence in a decade, and the 16th all-time meeting between the teams, with UND leading the series 10-5-1.
The Fighting Hawks next excursion will be in a two-game series against Minnesota State on October 18-19 in Mankato.
Elijah Andrews is the Dakota Student Sports Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].
