UND shuts out Minnesota 4-0

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GRAND FORKS — Although North Dakota received a shutout from goalie Brad Eidsness and three goals on special teams, coach Dave Hakstol credited his team’s grit for its 4-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory Friday over Minnesota.

“It was a good, grinding effort,” Hakstol said. “We were a tough team to play against tonight.”

Eidsness, a sophomore, made 22 saves to earn his second career shutout in both teams’ league opener. But he had long stretches without much action, as the Sioux put 43 shots on Gophers’ goalie Alex Kangas, whose strong play kept the result in doubt for 2 1/2 periods.

“Alex gave us a chance to win,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. “Despite being behind by a goal after the first period, I thought we were OK because I figured we’d get better. But we never got any momentum after the first shift of the second period.”

It was the third straight UND rout of the Gophers at Engelstad Arena, coming on the heels of last year’s 6-3 and 6-1 Sioux wins.

“We had a little extra energy because of the rivalry,” UND defenseman Derrick LaPoint said.

LaPoint scored the game’s key goal, a short-handed tally in the second period for a 2-0 lead. Trailing on the rush, he jumped into the play, took a pass from Evan Trupp and beat Kangas between the legs.

“They left the blue line wide open, so I made the jump and Trupp put the puck on my stick,” LaPoint said.

UND (3-0-0, 1-0-0) took a 1-0 lead just 2:17 into the game on its first shot on net. On a power play, Jason Gregoire swatted in a loose puck out front. Third-period goals came on Chay Genoway’s power-play slapshot and Mario Lamoureux’s rebound.

Eidsness credited the physical play of his teammates for limiting the opportunities by Minnesota, which was playing its season opener. “We were in their end a lot,” Eidsness said. “And I don’t think it was a pleasant place to be, in our zone.”

Lucia praised UND’s overwhelming advantage in winning faceoffs. “When you don’t start with the puck, you’re chasing it all

night,” he said. “That’s what it seemed like we were doing.”

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