
Schlossman: Analytics show where UND's defensive issues stand
By Carlos Martinez
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GRAND FORKS — Here's a stat that might surprise you, considering UND has allowed 15 goals in the last three games. UND ranks No. 1 in the country in preventing opponents from possessing the puck in the offensive zone. UND's opponents have possessed the puck for 30.1% of games so far in the offensive zone. The Fighting Hawks, meanwhile, have spent 45.7% of games in their opponents' end. In fact, all of UND's possession numbers are quite good. The Fighting Hawks rank third nationally in offensive-zone puck possession, fourth in Corsi (shot attempt differential) and fifth in Fenwick (unblocked shot attempt differential). Despite these numbers, UND ranks 31st in the country in goals allowed per game at 2.9. If UND's opponents aren't possessing the puck much in the offensive zone but are scoring at high rates, it points to a major issue — the Fighting Hawks are giving up way too much in transition. Minnesota repeatedly converted UND turnovers into o