Preview: UND set to play in Anderson Arena for the first time

Kylie Macziewski / St. Thomas athletics By Brad Elliott Schlossman Today at 6:07 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? ST. PAUL, Minn. — UND arrived at Lee and Penny Anderson Arena for the first time Thursday afternoon. They moved their gear in and took a few looks around. ADVERTISEMENT They'll play in the one-year-old building at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday during UND's National Collegiate Hockey Conference series against St. Thomas. UND played St. Thomas in a single road nonconference game last season at Grand Casino Arena, home of the Minnesota Wild. Anderson Arena opened 12 days later. Senior forward Kasper Magnussen is the only player on UND's roster who has played in Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. Magnussen made the trip last season while playing at Bemidji State. "It's a fresh, nice rink," Magnussen said. Magnussen said the biggest drawback is a small visiting dressing room. "Overall, I like it," he said. The venue seats 4,000 fans for hockey. It also serves as home for St. Thomas basketball. ADVERTISEMENT Anderson Arena is located just off of Cretin Ave., in St. Paul. There isn't much parking adjacent to the arena (McNeely Parking Ramp and Frey Parking Garage don't require passes). UND swept St. Thomas in a nonconference home-and-home series last season. The Fighting Hawks won 6-2 in Grand Forks in the series opener and 5-2 in Grand Casino Arena. "I was really impressed with them last year," said UND coach Dane Jackson, who added the scores were not indicative of the games. "Their transition game was outstanding. They caught us last year on some (plays). They were getting pucks from defense to offense really quickly. I was really impressed with that last year." Kylie Macziewski / St. Thomas athletics St. Thomas had major turnover up front after last season, losing 12 of 16 forwards. Two returners — sophomore linemates Lucas Van Vliet and Nathan Pilling — account for 56.5% of St. Thomas' goals so far this season. But because St. Thomas is the home team, UND won't have last line change. Last weekend, UND used last line change to its advantage, matching the line of Cody Croal, Ollie Josephson and Gavin Lindberg against Western Michigan's top line all weekend. ADVERTISEMENT "I think we've taken a good step with our commitment to defense," Jackson said. "We've always had a good defensive system defending the rush, because we ask our defensemen to stay up. All of our D-men can skate well, but we empower them to do that when we have guys reloading and tracking back and backchecking hard. That has taken a step. It was poor in Minnesota. It took a step in Texas against Michigan State. It was good against Western Michigan." Jackson said the forwards are important to UND's defensive system. "Our guys have understood that we'll give them leeway in the offensive zone to make plays, but when that puck turns over, you've got to be taking hard strides," he said. "There are no false steps coming back. We've got to help our D-men defend the blue line." Pilling, a 6-foot-4 center who wins 53.9% of his faceoffs, is a major threat with his hard shot from the right circle on the power play. Pilling and Van Vliet have combined for five of St. Thomas' seven power-play goals this season. UND associate head coach Matt Smaby, who runs the penalty kill, said the Fighting Hawks have several keys when shorthanded. "If we're good on faceoffs, we can clear the puck," Smaby said. "If we're good on the line rush against, we don't allow them into the zone. If they get into the zone, we can pressure them. Then, they're reacting to what we're doing. The reality is, for us, the job starts far before they actually get set up." Sophomore Will Ingemann has started the last five games in net for St. Thomas, posting a .932 save percentage. ADVERTISEMENT "They've got a really good coaching staff," Jackson said. "We know they'll be a tough competitor. They're a legit NCHC team and we'll be ready to go for them." Oshie, Chorney join for dinner Former UND standouts T.J. Oshie and Taylor Chorney joined the current team for their Thursday night meal in St. Paul. Oshie and Chorney both spoke to the players about their experiences at UND and what leads to championship teams. Oshie won a Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals. Chorney was on that team, too, but was traded before the playoffs. Oshie will skate "One More Shift" in The Ralph on Jan. 15, before a home game against St. Thomas. Injury report UND — None known St. Thomas — D Samuel Groebner out, F Kevin Anderson out UST player to watch: F Lucas Van Vliet The Vegas Golden Knights draft pick has been lighting it up ever since stepping foot on campus last fall. Van Vliet, who played for the U.S. Under-18 Team and the Dubuque Fighting Saints, finished seventh nationally in freshman scoring with 14 goals and 35 points last season. ADVERTISEMENT The Livonia, Mich., product is already off to a fast start this season, scoring eight times in eight games. Last weekend, he scored five goals and tallied seven points in a sweep of Alaska Anchorage. Van Vliet plays on a line with Nathan Pilling (five goals, eight points) and Kaeden Hawkins (one goal, four points). That trio has combined for 61% of St. Thomas' goals this season. St. Thomas athletics UND pick to click: F Kasper Magnussen Magnussen was a top offensive option last season for Bemidji State, scoring six of his 10 goals on the power play. He used his one-timer from the flank as a weapon. Now at UND, the Fighting Hawks have others to fill the flank roles on the power play, but Magnussen is carving out his role in a new way. On Friday, he finished four big hits against Western Michigan and is bringing big-time physicality to a line with Hudson Malinoski and Anthony Menghini. "It's always been a part of my game," Magnussen said about his physicality. "Right now, when the production part is not working very well, I have to find other ways to kind of contribute to get wins. If I can help on that part, I'm glad to do it." Russell Hons / UND athletics The call: A home effort on the road UND is 4-0-1 in Ralph Engelstad Arena this season, 1-3 away from it. UND is giving up 1.2 goals per game at home, 4.25 per game away from The Ralph. Can UND bring its home defensive effort on the road this weekend? If so, the Fighting Hawks should have positive results. ADVERTISEMENT Friday: UND 3, St. Thomas 2 Saturday: UND 2, St. Thomas 1 Nick Wosika / St. Thomas athletics Follow the games Time: 7 p.m. both nights. TV: Midco Sports (live) and Fox 9+ (on delay). Tony Pasquesi play-by-play, Grant Potulny analyst. Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM). Darrin Looker play-by-play, Mike LaMoine analyst. Stream: NCHC TV. Stories to read GFH: NCHC suspends WMU forward Adam Benák for slashing Cody Croal GFH: Greater Grand Forks products help anchor Tommies' back line GFH: 5 UND hockey notes Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS UND SPORTS UND FIGHTING HAWKS HOCKEY SUBSCRIBERS ONLY By Brad Elliott Schlossman Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald's circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at [email protected]. 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