Friday February 8, 2013 WHKY Feb. 8-9 vs. Bemidji St.
Ralph Engelstad Arena
SCORES&SCHEDULES MHKY Feb. 8-9
@ Nebraska-Omaha Omaha, Neb.
WBB Feb. 9 vs. Montana
Betty Engelstad Center
UND to host Bemidji Page 11
SPORTS Women’s hockey attendance Page 12
North Dakota hockey heads outdoors OUTSIDE UND will play at T.D. Ameritrade Park this weekend against Nebraska-Omaha. Elizabeth Erickson THEDAKOTASTUDENT
For many, it all begins on a backyard pond. This weekend, the UND men’s hockey will relive memories of earlier times as each player laces up their skates to play outdoors Saturday at T.D. Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. In preparation for the game, the team spent Monday’s practice skating outside at Riverside Park in temperatures reaching minus 10 wind chill with blowing snow in all directions — far from what is to be expected in this weekend’s series. For freshman goalie Zane Gothberg, the experience brought forth a sense of nostalgia. “It was really fun,” Gothberg said, “It brings you back to the memories and stuff growing up, wherever your hometown was, with the guys and just having a good time and just going out there and having fun. More so than having the spotlight on you and everything.” Other than the occasional drop of the puck in a noncompetitive battle, the last time the freshman goaltender put on his pads
and stood between the pipes outdoors was in his mite and termite years of hockey. This weekend, he will get the chance to relive his childhood pond hockey days. Or rather, he will participate in what has always just been a dream. “I think it’s something pretty cool,” Gothberg said. “You watch the NHL Network and you see the winter classic games and stuff, and you just think, ‘man that looks like a lot of fun.’ So it’s going to be pretty cool to experience it firsthand and go from there.”
A New Atmosphere
With the long season, UND coach Dave Hakstol sees Monday as a break in routine. “We want to try and do different things to keep the game fun,” Hakstol said. “This group of guys has never had a problem with that. They have fun together. They enjoy being at the rink. “I think it was a nice change. I don’t think it did anything for our preparation for our game in Omaha — it was completely different element. But it’s fun to get outside and go play with your buddies on the backyard pond, and that’s what Monday was.” Putting aside the fact that the game is outdoors in an atmosphere highly anticipated by fans, the contention for points in a tight WCHA race is crucial. North Dakota sits in a threeway tie for third place, hovering just below Nebraska-Omaha.
North Dakota held practice at Riverside Park Monday in Grand Forks to help prepare the team for its outdoor game this Satuday in Omaha, Neb. Photo courtesy of UNDsports.com/Eric Classen
While much entertainment is expected out of the series, there is still room for the usual hard fought battle for points. “You like to be part of those things,” Hasktol said. “It’s a little bit easier when it’s in the first half or at Christmas time just to sit back and enjoy the event. Right now, we’re in a stretch run. So you still have to take some time to enjoy the different atmosphere and the unique atmosphere. But at the same time, it’s business as usual
as much as it can possibly be that day.”
Competition in the Net
With business as usual, the familiar decision of who to put between the pipes is on the minds of many. In a solid performance throughout last weekend’s series against Wisconsin, Gotherberg proved his value in the goal. With Clarke Saunders’ additional strong presence in the net, the decision of who will be making the start has yet to be decided.
Whatever the outcome, Gothberg has improved his game and made himself a contender for the No. 1 spot. “Since the day he came back from Christmas, his play in practice and in games has been significantly better than where he was in the first half,” Hakstol said. “He earned a back-to-back start last weekend against Wisconsin. Zane has put himself in a position cer-
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Huff struggling with leadership role LEADERSHIP UND’s junior guard has a hard time being a good team player. dallon Bitz
THEDAKOTASTUDENT
North Dakota junior shooting guard Troy Huff has been a fan favorite to watch at basketball games since his first dunk at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center two years ago. Constantly putting on a show for loyal UND fans — draining threes, embarrassing defenders while driving the lane and throwing down some of the prettiest dunks you will ever see on a college basketball court — Troy Huff has proven his offensive abilities. What he lacks is defensive ambition and leadership skills. I have been watching this young man play for the Green and White since he first set foot on the court his freshman year. Instantly, everyone in the building could tell who the most talented player on the floor was. His speed, his accuracy, his vertical, his agility and, most of all, his
potential — there is no doubt that Huff is a special player. But offense is only one half of basketball. If I may quote a man who knew a thing or two about the game of basketball: “Talent wins games, but defense wins championships.” Michael Jordan was known for his offensive abilities. But even more so, Jordan also was known for his leadership and his work ethic. As six championship rings might speak for themselves, Michael Jordan has never been accused of lacking effort. Huff is constantly going through the motions on the defensive side of the ball. I never see him go out of his way to be a team player when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. His laziness and poor team play are a burden to his teammates. When one goes to a basketball game, they don’t always remember everything about it. They remember the buzzer beating three-pointers and the posterizing slam dunks. What they don’t always see are the little things that can make teams fall apart. On many occasions, I have seen Huff act extremely unprofessional during games. I feel embarrassed for my alma mater when I
see a member of the team I support act like a child in response to a bad call or a coach’s instruction. Is this the behavior of a leader? In past games, one can see tension between Huff and his coaches for his questionable team play night in and night out. Just this season in a game against Montana, Huff had an easy bunny shot in front of the rim. Instead of taking the easy two points, he tried to dunk the ball from a stand still only to have the rim send the ball the other way. These are the little things that are keeping Troy Huff from being the stand out player North Dakota needs him to be. He needs to step up as a leader and fulfill his role on both sides of the ball, even if it means he may not be the first one back on offense to call for a highlighting alley-oop pass. Huff has talent coming out of his ears, there’s no doubt about that. But what Troy’s coaches and fans need to be aware of, is that just because he is the most talented player on the roster does not necessarily mean he is the best. Dallon Bitz is the sports editor of The Dakota Student. He can be reached at dallon.bitz.2@my.und.edu
[FILE PHOTO] THEDAKOTASTUDENT North Dakota guard Troy Huff has led the team in scoring since his return from injury after winter break.