Thief River Falls product named nation’s best goalie

North Dakota junior goaltender Zane McIntyre of Thief River Falls, Minn. was chosen as the recipient of the 2015 Mike Richter Award given annually to the most outstanding goalie in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. Richter, a 2008 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, was on hand this morning at Boston’s TD Garden to present the award to McIntyre.

Richter starred at Wisconsin before spending 14 seasons with the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, leading the franchise to a Stanley Cup championship in 1994.

Candidates for the award are chosen based on the following criteria:

– Candidates must display outstanding skills on the ice
– Candidates should be in good academic standing at an NCAA college or university
– Consideration should be given to academic achievement and sportsmanship
– Candidates must comply with all NCAA rules; be full-time students at an NCAA college or university; and complete 50 percent or more of the season
– Consideration should be given to the candidate’s activities in the community

McIntyre is also one of three finalists, along with Boston University’s Jack Eichel of and Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey for the 2015 Hobey Baker Memorial Award given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. That announcement will come later today

Already North Dakota’s all-time leader in career goals against average and save percentage, McIntyre started all but one of his team’s 42 games this season in compiling a 29-10-3 record and leading UND to a second straight Frozen Four. His 29 wins led the nation while his.929 save percentage and winning percentage (.726) rank 12^th and 5^th, respectively.

The sixth round selection (No. 165 overall) by the Boston Bruins in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft was named First Team NCHC and Goalie of the Year and was a finalist for Player of the Year honors as well. McIntyre has devoted more than 40 hours of community service time to various organizations, including Special Olympics, Grand Forks Youth Hockey Association, Westside Elementary, Thief River Falls Elementary and more.

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Thief River Falls product leads nation in wins 

North Dakota junior goaltender Zane McIntyre of Thief River Falls, Minn. has been chosen as one of three finalists for the 2015 Hobey Baker Memorial Award given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. The winner among McIntyre and fellow finalists Jack Eichel of Boston University and Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey will be announced Friday, April 10, 2015 from Matthews Arena in Boston, Mass. during the NCAA Frozen Four.

McIntyre was also previously named one of five national finalists for the 2015 Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.

Already North Dakota’s all-time leader in career goals against average and save percentage, McIntyre started all but one of his team’s 41 games this season in compiling a 29-9-3 record and leading UND to a second straight Frozen Four. His 29 wins lead the nation while his 2.00 goals against average and .931 save percentage rank 11^th and 6^th, respectively.

The sixth round selection (No. 165 overall) by the Boston Bruins in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft was named First Team NCHC and Goalie of the Year and was a finalist for Player of the Year honors as well. McIntyre has devoted more than 40 hours of community service time to various organizations, including Special Olympics, Grand Forks Youth Hockey Association, Westside Elementary, Thief River Falls Elementary and more.

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North Dakota hands SCSU season-ending 4-1 loss

Fargo, N.D. — As difficult as it may have been to advance to the NCAA Frozen Four without the play of Zane McIntyre, North Dakota also got a little assistance from fortunate bounces in front its own net and on the attack.

Whether it was luck or not, UND still had to claw its way to a 4-1 win over St. Cloud State in the NCAA West Regional Final Saturday at SCHEELS Arena.

The bounces were anything but lucky for the Huskies, who finish their season 20-19-1.

“There were a couple of fluke goals, one off our guy’s back, and all of the sudden we’re behind the eight ball,” SCSU coach Bob Motzko said. “It seems to me it’s a game of ifs and buts. It’s frustrating right now because I think we could’ve had a different fate.”

North Dakota advances to play Boston University in the NCAA Frozen Four on April 9 in Boston.

SCSU jumped on the board 89 seconds into the game when Jimmy Murray scored off a faceoff to the left of the UND goal.

“Jimmy broke through that faceoff and got a quick one and that got everyone up on the bench,” SCSU forward Jonny Brodzinski said.

“It was a quick faceoff play,” North Dakota goalie Zane McIntyre said. “It caught me off guard and our team off guard, but resiliency has been in our vocab all year, so it’s no surprise the boys battled up and came back strong.”

SCSU’s lead lasted seven minutes and 30 seconds until Andrew Panzerella scored his first goal of the season when his shot from the point made it through traffic, off the right post and in.

The Huskies turned the puck over in the zone before Panzerella took the shot.

The teams went into the first intermission tied 1-1, but SCSU’s misfortune began to show itself in the next 20 minutes.

Drake Caggiula scored the go-ahead goal for UND at the 6:49 mark of the second period on a puck that deflected in off a St. Cloud State defender and in.

The Huskies had plenty of chances to score in the second period.

Blake Winiecki lifted the puck wide left of the goal and Joey Benik had a point-blank chance that he sent wide right late in the period. McIntyre also made a big save on a Nick Oliver shot.

“There were times where we were putting on pressure and there were times we’d make mistakes and we’re back in our zone,” Huskies defenseman Ethan Prow said.

“In order to come out ahead, you have to play a full 60.”

Luke Johnson added to UND’s lead 2:53 into the third period when he flung a shot toward the goal from the corner in the SCSU zone.

The puck ricocheted off the right post and straight up into the air over the SCSU goal, landed in the crease behind goalie Charlie Lindgren and trickled into the net.

Lindgren finished the game with 22 saves.

UND didn’t allow SCSU to generate much from that point on.

“Typical North Dakota,” Prow said. “They play hard, especially in our zone. They got in on us and put pressure. It was hard for us to get out of the zone.”

McIntyre finished the game with 19 saves and was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

“When we did get to their goaltender tonight, he was awfully strong,” Motzko said. “Not only did he make the saves, he looked good doing it.”

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