Thoughts from the first period…

– Miami came out flying using their speed and quickness to create separation from UND who is a physically bigger team.

– The Barber/Kuraly/Louis line especially early was very good as they used that speed well.

– Barber looks a little lost right now. He seems to be fighting the puck but has still been effective, especially in the neutral zone.

– Ryan McKay looks very sharp thus far tonight making a couple difficult saves and keeping an eye on the crazy bounces off the boards and glass.

– Blake Coleman was all over during Miami’s second power play. He had three quality chances cashing in on the last one as he recovered a poor UND clearing opportunity, spun and fired a wrister that beat Gothberg high.

– UND began to impose their will late in the period picking up the hitting and winning battles for loose pucks and along the walls. Miami will have to hold strong and roll their lines to avoid fatigue against UND.

– SOG favor UND 14-9 with Blake Coleman getting credit for four of those. UND attempted 28 shots in the period to Miami’s 19.

– Miami has already blocked 8 shots tonight with Caito and C. Joyaux getting two each.

– Miami leads in faceoffs won with a 14-8 margin. Czarnik was 5-2 with Kuraly at 5-4.

– Overall, Miami actually looked competent defensively and backchecked fairly well. They will have to keep that commitment up throughout the night in order to prevail.