College Hockey Update:  North Dakota dominated the Northeastern Huskies in the opening game of the 2016 NCAA Hockey Tournament today in Cincinnati, winning 6-2.

Northeastern got on the board first only three minutes into the game on a goal by Nolan Stevens, but Northeastern responded three minutes later with a goal by Johnny Simonson, five minutes after that with a goal by Tucker Poolman, and then seven minutes later with a goal by Luke Johnson, to end the first ahead 3-1.

It was a case of too much North Dakota speed for Northeastern.  In addition, North Dakota was able to consistently loft the puck up to the red line and win in the race to the puck, getting ahead of Northeastern and creating immediate pressure in the Northeastern zone.  North Dakota outshot Northeastern 17-6 in the period.

In the second, the North Dakota show continued when Bryn Chyzyk scored a goal five minutes into the period, and only two minutes later Brock Boeser addd another.  Northeastern displayed some good speed and good team play at the end of the period, and it created some good opportunities on the net, but North Dakota goalie Cam Johnson was up to the task and the period ended with North Dakota leading 5-1.  North Dakota outshot Northeastern 12-9 in the period, and the Northeastern players looked tired as they left the ice for the break.

In the final period Northeastern was able to continue with some speed and offense, and Matt Benning scored a goal five minutes into the period to make it 5-2.  North Dakota was able to hold Northeastern off, and with eight minutes remaining, Drake Caggiula scored to make it 6-2, where it stood until the final buzzer.  Northeastern outshot North Dakota 11-7 in the final frame.

North Dakota advanced to play the winner of this afternoon’s game between Michigan and Notre Dame, tomorrow at 3:00pm Pacific Time on ESPN2.