{"id":88684,"date":"2018-10-28T02:04:09","date_gmt":"2018-10-28T07:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/?p=88684"},"modified":"2020-08-24T14:12:36","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T19:12:36","slug":"fighting-hawks-are-leaving-las-vegas-with-3-1-victory-over-arch-rival-minnesota-in-u-s-hockey-hall-of-fame-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2018\/10\/28\/fighting-hawks-are-leaving-las-vegas-with-3-1-victory-over-arch-rival-minnesota-in-u-s-hockey-hall-of-fame-game\/","title":{"rendered":"GAME OF THE WEEK: Fighting Hawks are leaving Las Vegas with 3-1 victory over arch-rival Minnesota in U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"27<\/a>
North Dakota scored the game’s final three goals to earn 3-1 victory in the US Hockey Hall of Fame game in Las Vegas (Photo: Jim Rosvold\/University of Minnesota)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LAS VEGAS —\u00a0<\/strong>On Saturday night in Las Vegas, North Dakota called and raised its own standard for destination college hockey games.<\/p>\n

In front of 7,412 mostly green-clad fans at Orleans Arena, UND (2-2-1) used a pair of Colton Poolman goals to come away with a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota (1-1-1), the latest triumph in its series of splashy games at marquee locations around the country.<\/p>\n

After victories in Winnipeg in 2012 (Clarkson), the outdoor game in Omaha in 2013 and a 4-3 victory over Boston College at New York City\u2019s Madison Square Garden in 2015, there was a ton of buzz in North Dakota when the school announced the next destination: Las Vegas, against the rival Golden Gophers.<\/p>\n

The night didn\u2019t disappoint. The sold out Orleans Arena hosted another fierce chapter in the storied rivalry, with big hits and big controversies. For the Fighting Hawks players, it was an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was crazy,\u201d senior Rhett Gardner said. \u201cI’ve been to a Frozen Four, played a ton of games at the Ralph and the Fargo regional — that was the craziest atmosphere I’ve ever been a part of. It was incredible. I’m so glad we got a win to reward all the people that came down here and wore green all week.\u201d<\/p>\n

UND coach Brad Berry and his team knew that the miles traveled by one of college hockey\u2019s strongest fan bases was worth rewarding, just as it was in New York, Omaha and Winnipeg. That point was driven home when the team walked past the buzzing pregame tailgate party in the warm Las Vegas sun Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s an obligation on the part of our program here to give back to the players, to the fans that came before us,\u201d Berry said. \u201cThey laid the blocks and foundation for our program here. When you walk over and see that tailgate party. Hundreds and hundreds of people in there. We walked right by it today on the way to the rink. Our guys didn\u2019t want to let them down. They felt like there was a big obligation, and I think that\u2019s a reason we do well in these types of games.\u201d<\/p>\n

This game, played as the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, showcased the college game to a burgeoning hockey town.<\/p>\n

However, the Orleans Arena hadn\u2019t seen a hockey game since the demise of the ECHL\u2019s Las Vegas Wranglers in 2014, and at times it showed. The game was interrupted multiple times to repair various parts of the dashers around the rink.<\/p>\n

UND found itself down early in the second period. Grant Mismash received a checking from behind major and game misconduct at 3:39 of the second, and a five-on-three ensued due to a concurrent too many men penalty. Minnesota\u2019s Brent Gates Jr. cashed in quickly on the ensuing five-on-three power play to put the Gophers on the board first.<\/p>\n

But from that point, the No. 5 ranked Gophers couldn\u2019t sustain much offense through all the penalties and delays for dasher maintenance.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven in the second period when we had the five-minute power play, guys started sitting on the bench,\u201d Gophers head coach Bob Motzko said. \u201cWe got discombobulated. Guys were sitting for a long stretch, not getting a lot of playing time. There was no flow. Part of that might have creeped into us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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VIDEO: Watch the game highlights as @UNDmhockey<\/a> beats Minnesota 3-1 in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fam Game in Las Vegas, Nevada.#UNDproud<\/a> @TheNCHC<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zbSgPTrc1b<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 UND Insider (@undinsider) October 28, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n