Get ready for an exciting hockey showdown! The battle for dominance between UND and Minnesota Duluth is about to reach its climax. Today, these two powerhouse teams will face off in a highly anticipated series finale, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
But here's where it gets controversial... UND, currently ranked 3rd, is determined to secure home ice advantage in the NCHC quarterfinals with a win, but they face a formidable opponent in the 10th-ranked Minnesota Duluth. The Bulldogs, fresh off an overtime victory in the series opener, are aiming for a sweep, a feat they haven't achieved against UND since 2018.
Let's dive into the key details:
Game Information:
- Date and Time: Today, 4:00 PM
- Venue: AmsOil Arena, Duluth, Minnesota
- TV Broadcast: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD), My 9 locally
- Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM)
- Streaming: NCHChockey.com/tv
UND's Lineup:
- Forwards: Mac Swanson, Ellis Rickwood, Will Zellers; Dylan James, Cole Reschny, Ben Strinden; Cody Croal, Ollie Josephson, Jack Kernan; Anthony Menghini, Cade Littler, Tyler Young
- Defensemen: Jake Livanavage, Keaton Verhoeff; Abram Wiebe, E.J. Emery; Sam Laurila, Andrew Strathmann; Jayden Jubenvill
- Goaltenders: Jan Špunar, Gibson Homer, Zach Sandy
- Injured: F Josh Zakreski, F David Klee, D Bennett Zmolek, F Dalton Andrew, D Ian Engel
Minnesota Duluth's Lineup:
- Forwards: Max Plante, Zam Plante, Jayson Shaugabay; Scout Truman, Kyle Gaffney, Callum Arnott; Hunter Anderson, Daniel Shlaine, Luke Bibby; Harper Bentz, Kyler Kovich, Blake Bechen
- Defensemen: Ty Hanson, Adam Kleber; Aaron Pionk, Joey Pierce; Brady Cleveland, Grayden Siepmann; Riley Bodnarchuk
- Goaltenders: Ethan Dahlmeir, Cole Sheffield
- Not in Lineup: G Adam Gajan (Olympics), F Braden Fischer, F Ryan Zaremba, F Trevor Stachowiak, D Jake Toll
Officials:
- Referees: Stephen Reneau, Sterling Egan
- Linesmen: Jeff Schultz, Tony Aronson
- Supervisor: Brian Mach
Pregame Notes:
- UND's captain, Bennett Zmolek, is out due to injury, with Jayden Jubenville stepping into his role.
- Minnesota Duluth is unchanged from their previous game.
- The goaltending battle pits Jan Špunar against Ethan Dahlmeir, who is 3-0 this season.
- UND needs just one point to secure home ice in the NCHC quarterfinals.
- The Fighting Hawks have shown resilience, collecting points in 11 straight games against Minnesota Duluth.
- UND's overtime record this season stands at 1-3.
Schlossman, a seasoned college hockey journalist, has been covering the Grand Forks Herald's beat since 2005. His expertise and recognition as a top beat writer make him a reliable source for all things hockey in the region.
Will UND clinch home ice advantage, or will Minnesota Duluth pull off the sweep? The outcome of this game will be a pivotal moment in the season. Don't miss this thrilling conclusion!
Feel free to share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below. Let's discuss!
