THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012
5:13 p.m. -- It's hard to believe this is our first WCHA road trip in seven weeks, but here we are in St. Cloud.
The team took another hit on the injury front today when it was announced freshman Rocco Grimaldi would undergo season-ending knee surgery.
The team's fans are understandably upset by the news (after all, Rocco was the WCHA's Preseason Rookie of the Year), but it has been fascinating to observe how the team has handled adversity this season.
Athletic trainer Mark Poolman says this year's injury situation is the worst he's seen here, at least this far out from playoff time. It seems another players goes down each week, yet you never --- literally, never --- hear the players and coaches discussing the rapidly shrinking lineup. Granted, I'm not with the team every hour of every day, but the vibe within the locker room walls is business as usual. Call it, 'Next man up,' call it, 'All hands on deck,' call it what you will. But the focus always remains on the day's business.
Right now, the day's business is practice, and the players are on the ice as I type this, and as Mark Poolman and Dr. Greg Greek take a much-needed breather.
At least until my carpal tunnel sets in.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012
12:25 p.m. -- After what seemed like a slightly-shorter-than-usual morning skate (for obvious reasons), it's now hurry-up-and-wait time. The time betweeen the morning skate and the opening faceoff absolutely crawls by. Only a killer nap can speed it up.
After I posted my initial entry from practice yesterday, Gino Gasparini, the winningest coach in UND hockey history, stopped by the locker room to catch up with our coaching staff, each of whom played under Gino.
Gino, as most of you know, is now a consultant for SCSU Athletics.
Otherwise, it's been a rather uneventful 24 hours thus far. Tonight's lineup has been set, and I'll post it a little later in the afternoon.
5:44 p.m. -- We've arrived at the National Hockey Center, with just over two hours until the opening faceoff.
Not much has changed with UND's lineup, with the exception in goal, where senior Brad Eidsness will make his first start since a 5-2 win at Alaska Anchorage on Dec. 2.
Friday Lineup
29 Nelson--10 Knight--7 Kristo
16 MacMillan--27 Rowney--15 Parks
13 Gaarder--9 Lamoureux--20 Gleason
8 Senkbeil--28 Pattyn--14 Dickin
18 Simpson--24 Blood
2 MacWilliam--5 Mattson
22 Panzarella
31 Eidsness
32 Dell
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012
5:28 p.m. -- A few notable lineup changes tonight, beginning with junior Aaron Dell getting the starting nod between the pipes.
Also, junior Joe Gleason has been moved back to the blueline and will play with Dillon Simpson on the third pairing.
UND, at least on paper, will go with 11 forwards. Junior Mario Lamoureux and freshmen Stephane Pattyn and Connor Gaarder make up the third line after producing several solid shifts in the third period last night.
Saturday Lineup
29 Nelson--10 Knight--7 Kristo
16 MacMillan--27 Rowney--15 Parks
28 Pattyn--9 Lamoureux--13 Gaarder
8 Senkbeil--14 Dickin
24 Blood--22 Panzarella
2 MacWilliam--5 Mattson
18 Simpson--20 Gleason
32 Dell
31 Eidsness
