Statistically, the Pioneers’ 5-1 loss Friday night at North Dakota is an anomaly in the Jim Montgomery era.

Only twice before has DU (7-4-2) lost by as many goals in Montgomery’s three seasons. The worst was 6-1 at Minnesota-Duluth last Oct. 25. The other four-goal loss was the final game of the 2013-14 season, when Boston College knocked DU out of the NCAA Tournament, 6-2.

Interestingly enough, the Pioneers actually outshot NoDak, 23-22, and were roughly equals in the circle (33-35). But UND scored its first three goals in a 6-minute span in the first half of the second period. NoDak’s first goal came just 26 seconds after Grant Arnold had given the Pioneers a 1-0 lead 1:22 into the period. That seemed to put DU back on its heels a bit and NoDak kept charging hard.

The Pioneers’ effort level was the biggest disappointment to coach Jim Montgomery.

“We need to compete harder,” he said. “I expected it from our freshmen but not from our best players.

“This is the first poor effort this group has had this year.”

Indeed, all three of DU’s previous losses were by one goal, and two of those were in overtime.

About NoDak’s top line: UND’s CBS line (Drake Caggiula, Brock Boeser and Nick Schmaltz) was as good as advertised, if not better. The trio combined for four goals and two assists, giving them 64 points in 17 games. They generated nine of NoDak’s 22 shots. Clearly the stopping, or at least slowing, of that line will be point of emphasis for the Pioneers.

“They were good. They’re difference makers,” Montgomery said. “We weren’t good. I’ve got to take complete responsibility. Our team was not prepared to play in any way. … When that happens you’re going to get thumped.”

Power outage: The Pioneers went 0 for 5 on the power play and stopped four of NoDak’s five chances. As lopsided as the calls seemed early on, each team was penalized seven times (twice getting matching minors late in the third period).

“We’ve been averaging eight penalty minutes. (Tonight) we had a lot of stick penalties, which means you’re watching things happen not making things happen,” Montgomery added. “When you don’t play the body you’re going to end up with odd-man rushes and they go bar down on you.”

Close Call: Matt VanVoorhis‘ first game back bore an unfortunate similarity to the last game he played, Nov. 6 vs. Colorado College, when he was hit from behind and sustained a concussion that forced him to miss a month. Midway through the second period, a NoDak player tripped VanVoorhis as he chased a puck in the DU zone. Fortunately, the junior defenseman returned to the ice shortly thereafter.

@MagnessMayhem