Fighting Hawks prepare to take on an up-and-down Mavericks squad

GRAND FORKS --- The University of North Dakota and the University of Nebraska-Omaha are not unfamiliar with each other. 

The Hawks and Mavericks have played against each other 47 times since the NCHC's inaugural season in 2013-14, which is more than any other team North Dakota has faced in the NCHC. UND has lost to the Mavericks seven times while playing at home.

This year, the Mavericks will be eager to sweep in the Ralph after UND knocked them out of the NCHC playoffs at home last winter. 

"Guys are excited to get back into conference play," Maverick Head Coach Mike Gabinet said in a press conference Wednesday. "It's a trip that we know will be a tough one, but we're ready for the challenge."

Omaha is 5 - 4 - 1 in its last ten games and are coming off a 2 - 1 overtime loss to a hot Arizona State team.

For North Dakota, it is all business; with their 6 - 2 win last Saturday against Alaska Fairbanks, UND ended non-conference play for the season with a 10 - 2 - 1 record, winning games against multiple top-ranked teams, Wisconsin,  Minnesota, and Boston University.

UND Head Coach Brad Berry spoke Wednesday morning about the upcoming series against Omaha and the chase for the Penrose Cup.

"We're focused and dialed in," Berry said. "We have a ton of familiarity (with Omaha). It goes both ways."

UND will look to run up the score this weekend; the Mavericks are 8 - 1 this year in one-goal games. Omaha forward Ty Mueller leads the team in points with 13.

"They play a hard-style game. They have skill in their lineup,” Berry said. "It's a situation where the depth of our team and our lines and D-pairs have to play a consistently north type of game and play fast and have a situation where we dictate play."

Last weekend against the Nanooks, the Hawks adjusted their lines, scoring 12 goals in the process, the most in a weekend this year. Senior captain Riese Gaber exploded for six points after being paired up with Cameron Berg and Hunter Johannes. 

“I think the break was a good thing,” Gaber said following last Saturday's win. “I think I just found my game again and got my confidence back up.”

Fighting Hawks forward Cam Berg will be facing his former team for the first time this year. Berg played for Omaha during his freshman and sophomore seasons, recording 47 points in 74 games.

"He brings an all-around two-way game, but he can score," Berry said.

As of late, Berg has had no issue finding the back of the net; he's third on the team in points with 19 while getting on the scoreboard 14 times in his last 12 games.

When asked about playing against his former team, Berg expressed his anticipation. "I'm excited for sure; obviously, since I left, I've been looking forward to playing these guys, and I'm just kind of excited," Berg said.

The Fighting Hawks will be keen on extending their win streak this weekend. Puck drop is at 7:07 PM Friday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

**Note** Tune into our live discussion page this Friday for game time updates from Ralph Engelstad Arena