10 things to know heading into the NCHC's final weekend — and more

Feb. 24—GRAND FORKS — We're heading into the final week of the regular season in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

We know which four teams will host NCHC quarterfinal best-of-three series next weekend — UND, Denver, Western Michigan and Minnesota Duluth.

But lots more will shake out this weekend, including the winner of the Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champions.

Here's what to know heading into the weekend:

1. If there's a tie atop the NCHC standings, both teams will be crowned Penrose Cup champions. Tiebreakers are used only for seeding purposes in the NCHC postseason tournament.

2. UND and Western Michigan cannot finish tied in the standings. The NCHC avoided the nightmare scenarios of having to present the Penrose to both UND and Western Michigan on the same night, as well as the potential of a three-way tie for the Penrose.

3. If UND gets one point this weekend, it clinches at least a share of the Penrose Cup AND the No. 1 seed for the NCHC tournament. The Fighting Hawks hold the tiebreaker over Denver based on goal differential in head-to-head games.

4. UND clinches the Penrose Cup outright with two or more points (a victory or two overtime games).

5. If UND does not get a point, Western Michigan will win at least a share of the Penrose Cup AND the No. 1 seed for the NCHC tournament. Western Michigan holds the tiebreaker over Denver based on goal differential in head-to-head games.

5. Because the Penrose Cup will definitely be presented in Kalamazoo this weekend — either UND or Western Michigan is guaranteed to win it — NCHC commissioner Heather Weems will be in the building for the presentation.

6. Denver cannot earn the No. 1 seed, but could share the Penrose Cup as long as UND does not secure two or more points in Kalamazoo. Denver hosts Arizona State in Magness Arena this weekend.

7. If Denver wins a share of the Penrose Cup, NCHC associate commissioner Michael Weisman will be in Magness Arena to present the Cup to the Pioneers. Weisman presented Penrose Cups to UND and Denver in 2022.

8. Yes, there are two Penrose Cups. One usually sits in the NCHC's offices in Colorado Springs. The only time two teams claimed the Penrose in the same year was 2022 (UND, Denver).

9. UND could still finish first, second or third.

10. The ninth-place team does not make the NCHC tournament this season. Four teams could still finish ninth — Miami (25 points), Colorado College (25), Arizona State (22) or Omaha (21). Miami plays at Omaha this weekend. Arizona State is at Denver. Colorado College is at Minnesota Duluth, which is locked into fourth place.

Feb. 24—GRAND FORKS — Judd Caulfield participated in UND hockey's pro camp this fall.

"That helped a lot getting ready for the season," Caulfield said. "I came in, had a good camp at the start and was able to carry some momentum."

Caulfield, who played at Grand Forks Central and UND, scored a goal in the first game of the season for the San Diego Gulls in the American Hockey League. He scored again in the second game.

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound winger is in the midst of his best pro season yet.

He has 14 goals and 28 points in 49 games for the Gulls, the top affiliate of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks. Caulfield is tied for second on the team in goals and fourth in points.

"I'm definitely feeling a lot more comfortable in the league, being my third full season," Caulfield said. "It's a bit of an adjustment at first — a different pace and playing older players again. There are shutdown 'D' that have been in the league for six-to-eight years. Playing against those types of players, it's definitely tough. I'm re-finding my game, using my physicality. I've been more physical this year. I've been able to protect pucks and hold onto pucks more this year, not getting knocked off as easily."

Caulfield has eight points in his last nine games.

The Gulls are 23-16-6-4 and currently in position to make the Calder Cup Playoffs.

"The team this year is awesome," Caulfield said. "We have a lot of guys back from last year. We had a close group last year. This year, we're building on those bonds. It's been working out for us."

Caulfield, 24, signed a one-year contract with San Diego in the summer. This is his third year playing for the Gulls.

"It's been great out here," Caulfield said. "It's nice, because you can get away from the rink a little bit, walk along the beach and enjoy nice weather out here. It's always nice to get away and get a mental reset. It's so easy to do out here."

Caulfield is teammates with Tim Washe, who captained Western Michigan to an NCAA national championship last year. He said they've already discussed their excitement for this weekend's series between their alma maters.

"We'll definitely be following along," Caulfield said. "We were saying we might have to put a little bet on it. We both love following along with the college guys. It's great to see how UND has been doing this year. It's going to be exciting to see what happens this weekend and the rest of the playoffs."

*Former East Grand Forks standout Colton Poolman has three points and a plus-4 rating in the last four games for the Glasgow Clan of the top United Kingdom-based league. Poolman is an alternate captain for Glasgow.

*Winger Austin Poganski scored in back-to-back games for the Tucson Roadrunners in the AHL. Poganski, the team captain, has 34 points in 47 games. He's the third-leading scorer on the team.

*Winger Riese Gaber has four points in his last five games for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL.

*Former Grand Forks Central defenseman Paul LaDue scored his fifth goal of the season for Rögle BK in Sweden's top league on Saturday. LaDue has 16 points in 40 games.

*Goaltender Cam Johnson started on three consecutive nights this weekend for the Florida Everblades in the ECHL. Johnson stopped 61 of 65 (.938 save percentage) in those games. He has a .912 save percentage this season.

*Defenseman Matt Kiersted was called up from the AHL's Iowa Wild to the NHL's Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Kiersted has played four games with Minnesota this season.

*Two former UND players earned call-ups from the ECHL to the AHL: goalie T.J. Semptimphelter (Milwaukee Admirals) and forward Cameron Berg (Bridgeport Islanders). Semptimphelter earned his first start Saturday night against AHL-leading Grand Rapids. He stopped 26 of 30 shots.

*Semptimphelter signed a one-year contract extension with Milwaukee for the 2026-27 season.

*Four UND commits played in the Western Hockey League Prospects Game last Wednesday — forward Andrew O'Neill of Fargo, forward Cooper Williams, defenseman Ethan MacKenzie and defenseman Brayden Klimpke. Williams, who plays for the Saskatoon Blades, was a standout in the game, making two beautiful feeds to set up goals. All four players are eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Only MacKenzie is expected to come to UND in the fall.

*Defenseman commit Beck Thoreson returned to the ice Feb. 13 after suffering a longterm injury in November. Thoreson, of Moorhead, plays for the U.S. Under-17 Team.

*Forward commit Ashton Schultz has five points in four games since he was traded from the Chicago Steel to the Sioux City Musketeers in the United States Hockey League.

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