North Dakota isn't looking to let off the gas this weekend vs Miami

GRAND FORKS --- North Dakota head coach Brad Berry made it very clear that no matter the opponent, UND will need to bring their A-game, especially this weekend against Miami University (Ohio).

 After coming off an excellent weekend against the nation's top-scoring team, the Denver Pioneers, UND now sits atop the standings in the NCHC.

 This weekend, North Dakota will travel to Oxford, Ohio, to face off against a Miami RedHawks squad that has had its fair share of struggles. 

The RedHawks are 1 - 12 - 0 - 1 in conference play this season and are currently on a four-game losing streak.

 Regardless of their record, North Dakota's coaching staff is aware that anything can happen in the NCHC.

"These guys got good players," Berry said. "They got good forwards; they can, whether it's powerplay or five-on-five, they can score goals as well, and again, we are going to have to have that suffocating approach as well."

During UND's weekly press conference Wednesday morning, Berry was asked about how UND will continue to keep its momentum rolling after playing two of the top teams in the NCHC on back-to-back weekends.

 Berry gave a simple response. He held his hands up at the same level and compared the two teams. 

"Denver/ Miami, what league are they playing in? They're playing in the NCHC. Anybody can beat anybody in the NCHC each and every weekend. We're seeing that first and foremost."

UND will need to remain sharp this weekend to defeat Miami and will look to replicate some of the success they’ve seen the last few weekends. 

Goaltending has been a strong point for UND this season. Ludvig Persson has posted a .905 save percentage while averaging 2.37 goals against in 23 games this season.

 It will be a special weekend for Persson as he returns back to Oxford for the first time since transferring to UND. 

"Fun," Persson said. "A lot of good memories from there; I had three awesome years, I'm really happy I'm here now, but it'll be fun to see a lot of friends and just be back in that environment."

The Fighting Hawks have not only gotten excellent goaltending but have been backed up by great defensive play as of late.  

Freshman defenseman Jake Livanavage was recently named the NCHC rookie of the month after tallying seven assists and one goal while maintaining a + 6 plus/minus.

"Just kind of sticking to my game," Livanavage said. "Not really worrying about it too much. Just being able to play free and play with the guys on the ice, it just makes it so easy with those guys, and we have a great team this year, so it's super fun to play with those guys and go to battle every weekend."

Livanavage has played a prominent role on the powerplay as of late; in UND's last four games, he has recorded five points while on the powerplay.

 Livanavage credited some of his success to his newfound comfortability on the power play.

"I mean, obviously, coming in my first year, it is tough. You don't know what to expect, and just kind of working with Karl (Assistant Coach Karl Goehring) and all the guys, I guess it's going well right now, and it's kind of clicking so just the work in the beginning of the season that got us to this point now."

Livanavage now sits among the elite company of UND rookie defensemen, being one of only 11 rookie defensemen to reach the 15-point mark in their freshman year since 2000.

 North Dakota will fly out of Grand Forks Thursday morning and practice in Oxford later that evening. Puck drop is set for 6:05 P.M. CT.