SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — It starts tonight. It could also end tonight. NCAA playoff hockey is back by popular demand in the Dakotas, as the second-overall Fighting Hawks are set to take on the Merrimack Warriors tonight in the Queen City.
12 Days
In ESPN’s selection show on Sunday afternoon, UND learned it would head to Sioux Falls as the top seed in the four-team pod, a result that felt only slightly compensatory after watching Minnesota Duluth fight Denver in a two-overtime game.
If North Dakota had beaten the Bulldogs, the game would have been in Grand Forks. Instead, UND was left with a 12-day gap to fill.
“We’ve been challenging each other in practice,” said Jake Livanavage in yesterday’s press conference, reflecting on the previous 11 days. “Each day, we wanted to come in and just be fully prepared for that day and just take it day by day.”
For the coaching staff, the break held a mission: atoning for the loss and coming back stronger.
“We’ve been stressing, throughout the practice time, taking what the game gives you, having good puck management, [and] really being kind of mentally ready for every practice,” Dane Jackson told the assembled media. “We’re kind of making our practices like a game. We knew other teams were playing meaningful games.
“I was really impressed with how the guys handled the layoff. It’s a long layoff, but I thought we used it well to prepare and have a real focus [toward] what we were doing day by day.”
More About Merrimack
Last Saturday, Merrimack defeated No. 3 UConn 2-1 at TD Garden to secure the Hockey East title. The Warriors come into Sioux Falls as the only conference tournament victor, having secured an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in the process.
On the path to victory, Merrimack defeated the top three seeds in the tournament, No. 1 Providence, No. 2 UMass, and the aforementioned UConn. The North Andover, Mass. side became the lowest seed — and the first No. 8 — to win the tournament in its history.
A large part of the run to the title for Merrimack was its goaltender, Max Lundgren (Jr.). The Swede maintained a .946 save percentage during the conference playoffs, giving up an average of 1.8 goals per game through five games. In the championship game, the goaltender turned away a career-high 49 shots from the 50 he faced. Lundgren took home MVP honors from the tournament and was unanimously named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team.
On offense, Parker Lalonde (Fr.) leads the Warriors, having scored five points (1-4—5) in his last five games and 36 points this season (13-23—36). Justin Gill (Fr.) leads the team in goals scored with 16, tied for second on the team with 35 points (16-19—35). Notably, the forwards played in the BCHL and QMJHL, respectively, before arriving in North Andover for their freshman seasons.
On the back end, Seamus Powell (Jr.) leads Merrimack in blocked shots, having stopped 70 in 38 starts. His biggest defensive game came against Dartmouth on Nov. 29, when he made 5 blocks in a close loss. Powell has contributed well to the Warriors’ offensive play as well, recording 18 points (3-15—18) this season.
Merrimack travelled over 1,500 miles to arrive in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, which head coach Scott Borek saw as a positive for his young team when he reflected on the draw.
“I’m excited we’re going there because there are some other sites that won’t feel like you’re in the national tournament,” Borek said. “The minute we arrive in Sioux Falls, we’re going to know we’re in the national tournament.”
As for Borek’s team, it is safe to say the Warriors share his thoughts. Now, the squad is eager to get to work.
“We’re excited to get out there,” said Merrimack captain Mark Hillier (Gr.). “We’ve won one tournament, but what’s better than winning one is winning two. We’re going to be ready to go Thursday.”
Quick Quips
- “They’re arguably one of the hottest teams in college right now.” Mac Swanson (So.) spoke highly of North Dakota’s opponent, referencing MC’s run to the Hockey East tournament title. Swanson made it clear that UND should not overlook its adversary.
- “We’ve been so happy with him.” Dane Jackson spoke highly of former Warrior Tyler Young (Sr.), who was a late addition to the Hawks’ roster over the summer. Young will become the final of four UND transfers to face off against his old side this season. The forward has scored five goals and tallied assists on six others, bringing his season total to 11 points.
Personnel Updates
- Ollie Josephson (Fr.) is out with a lower-body injury, which puts him out of contention for tonight’s game. In the loss to Minnesota Duluth, Josephson tenderly left the ice and walked down the tunnel after a hard check. Since then, he has been in rehab, according to the North Dakota head coach. The center started in all 37 games this season and has contributed six points in his last five games.
- Jack Kernan (Fr.) will return to the lineup after his surprise absence against the Bulldogs. The forward had been battling an illness in the lead-up to the semifinal matchup, a seemingly common affliction in the Hawks’ locker room over recent weeks. Dane Jackson described Kernan as an “effective player” that the coaching staff puts “a lot of belief in,” making him well-suited as a fill-in for the injured Josephson.
Tonight in Sioux Falls
At 4:04 p.m., Providence and Quinnipiac will face off, skating out first at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. The game between the Friars and the Bobcats will be streamed on ESPN+ for those with a subscription. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. for the general public.
North Dakota will take to the ice in the second game of the playoff doubleheader, occupying the primetime slot with a 7:32 p.m. puck drop. The game against Merrimack will be featured on ESPN2, with commentary from Jason Ross Jr. and Kevin Weekes. Additionally, ESPN+ subscribers will be able to stream the game. Audio listeners can tune in to the Fighting Hawks Radio Network via iHeart Radio, the Fighting Hawks website, or on 96.1 FM (The Fox) for local listeners.
Anthony Dillett is a Dakota Student Sports Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected] and on X @adillettgf.