No. 2 St. Cloud used an impressive offensive performance to defeat fifth-ranked North Dakota 8-4 in the teams’ series opener Friday night at the National Hockey Center.
The win moves SCSU’s record to 7-0-0 overall and 5-0-0 in the WCHA, continuing the Huskies’ best start in school history. It was the first time in almost five years that UND has allowed eight goals in a game.
The Huskies got on the board early as first-year forward Matt Gens tallied his first goal of the season at the 5:31 mark of the first period for a 1-0 lead. The Huskies added to the lead 12 seconds later as junior forward Mark Hartigan scored his fifth goal of the season for a 2-0 lead.
North Dakota tied the game at two midway through the second period, but the Huskies responded with four unanswered scores.
SCSU took a 3-2 lead on Hartigan’s second goal of the game at the 14:05 mark of the second. The Huskies went up 5-2 on back-to-back goals by sophomore forward Matt Hendricks, the last one coming at the 1:21 mark of the third period. Hendricks’ second goal of the game was the game-winner and his eighth of the year.
SCSU increased the lead to 6-2 on first-year forward Mike Doyle’s ninth goal of the year at the 5:23 mark of the third period.
UND narrowed the gap to 6-3, but SCSU stopped any chance of a North Dakota comeback with goals by junior defender Derek Eastman and first-year forward Dave Iannazzo for an 8-3 cushion at the 13:02 mark.
SCSU allowed a late UND goal, but the Huskies cruised to the finish for their seventh win in as many games.
Senior forward Nate DiCasmirro had four assists to become the 15th SCSU player to score 100 points in his career. Hartigan added an assist to go with his two goals, and Peter Szabo added three assists for the Huskies. Dean Weasler improved his record to 4-0-0, recording 32 saves.
