First, last night, I was unable to attend game one of the series between the University of North Dakota and St. Cloud State. I was at a prayer service in Reynolds, North Dakota for a young lady that passed away on February 10, 2023. Sometimes other things are more important than hockey.
Since UND’s 1993-94 season, I’ve only missed a handful of home games, on March 3-4, 2023, I will the final home series of the 2022-23 season. I am going to be on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise in the Caribbean with my wife and some friends. Don’t worry, I will have the internet.
Friday’s Night’s Incredible Third Period
Here’s what I saw. I got home for the third period; I was able to watch what I consider one of the best periods of hockey I’ve seen UND play this season.
The Fighting Hawks started the third period off by killing Riese Gaber’s five-minute major penalty for checking from behind. Originally, Gaber was assessed a two-minute minor but it was changed to a five minute-major.
My question is, why wasn’t the Huskies forward Zach Okabe given a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking Gaber? The official’s hand is in the air; a penalty is forthcoming. Again, I have no problem with the call, but there’s no consistency with the officiating this season.
With 54 seconds remaining in Gaber’s penalty, forward Joe Molnaar scored the Huskies’ third goal of the night. SCSU led 3-1.
The Hawks would go to work, and one minute and 49 seconds later sophomore forward Jake Schmaltz would break a seven-game scoreless streak with his fourth goal of the season. What a wonderful time for Schmaltz to get the monkey off his back. UND defenseman Chris Jandric put a shot on the Huskies net that trickles through the SCSU goalie Dominic Basse. Schmaltz picks up the loose change and bangs the puck into the net. 3-2 Huskies.
In the waning moments of the third period, UND pulled the goalie for an extra attacker. At the 18.33 mark of the third period, UND forward Riese Gaber made amends for his costly second-period-ending major penalty. Jandric brings the puck up ice and passes the puck to Gavin Hain who makes an incredible seem pass to Gaber. Scores! Basse didn’t have a chance as he was caught off the left post.
The game would go to a 3-on-3 overtime. With 3:34 remaining, Gaber sent the home crowd home with smiles on their faces. Freshman forward Jackson Blake, circles the Huskies net and attempts a wrap-around goal. Gaber picks up the loose puck and ends the game. That was goal number 18 on the year for the junior forward. UND wins 4-3.
Despite the shootout loss, I thought the Hawks played their best game of the season on Saturday. They dominated in almost all facets of the game. There was over four minutes in the second period where they put on a puck possession clinic. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any goals from it. But it was dominance and a thing of beauty. The fans loved it.