One last run in St. Paul

GRAND FORKS — It’s do or die for the Fighting Hawks this weekend.

UND will play in the last conference playoffs held at a neutral site, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

On Friday night, the Fighting Hawks will take on the Penrose Cup champions, the Western Michigan Broncos.

UND has had an up-and-down year. Currently, the Fighting Hawks are outside the NCAA tournament, and they are eager to extend their season. But last weekend, UND did what it has done on a routine basis this year—win on the road.

North Dakota traveled to Omaha for the opening round of the NCHC playoffs. Both nights, it won 3-2.

“We've had a lot of guys in and out of the lineup,” senior forward Cameron Berg said. “That means players who maybe didn't get as many minutes have gotten more minutes, especially the young guys who have grown throughout the year, definitely this past week, and were huge for us.”

UND’s depth has helped them this season. Freshman scoring has also been a significant factor. Freshman forward Sacha Boisvert leads the team in points with 30 (16 goals, 14 assists). Strong play from its other freshmen, Cade Littler, Mac Swanson, and Jayden Jubenvill, has helped UND down the stretch.

Although UND is one loss from the season ending, the team remains in high spirits and is dialed in. 

“We're having a good time,” Berg said. “We've had good practice today. We're gonna have a good practice tomorrow. We're just excited that we're still going and still get a chance. I mean, we have plenty of fight left in us here, and we're excited to go. We've played Western before. They're good. They beat us. So it's going to be a good game.”

Embracing the road

UND has embraced the road warrior mentality. Since losing 2-1 to Bemidji State in November, the Fighting Hawks are 9-4-1 on the road. Even though the Xcel Energy Center will be predominantly green this weekend, UND coach Brad Berry said, “We consider this a road game.”

North Dakota has also been blessed with excellent play from its goaltender, T.J. Semtimphelter, who’s been outstanding down the stretch for the Fighting Hawks.

“T.J. has done a great job all year,” Berry said. “But the last couple months, he's been dialed in and focused in his preparation and practices and, you know, falling into the games. I firmly believe too, that he knows that, obviously, being a graduate student-athlete, his college timeline is coming near and dear to an end here, and he wants to keep playing. And you can tell how he's playing and how he's given us a chance to win every night."

Semptimphelter is 8-3-1 since January 31st, posting a 2.45 goals against average and a .920 save percentage while also leading the nation in saves above expectation (11.5).

“We've won a lot of games here in the last four, five weeks, and even the games that we've lost, he has given us a chance in those games to win. And that's all you ask for a goaltender. You know, having goaltenders play extremely well at this time of year to give yourselves a chance to win. And we're glad he's playing his best hockey right now.”

Game notes

• Since the Frozen Faceoff returned to St. Paul in 2017-18, UND has a record of 1-4-0, with its only win on March 18th, 2018, against Minnesota Duluth in the third-place game.

• Friday marks the 48th all-time meeting between North Dakota and Western Michigan, with UND leading the series 31-15-1.

• UND is expected to wear its black jerseys on Friday. UND is 6-2-1 in them this season.

• UND is 11-12-0 this season against nationally ranked opponents.

Injury report

E.J. Emery – In

ND Ice prediction

UND 5-2 loss