Fighting Hawks Seek Crucial Wins Against Miami
The Fighting Hawks face a critical four-game stretch before the holiday break.
They kick off the stretch this weekend with a two-game series at Miami University.
The games start at 6:05 p.m. Central on Friday and Saturday, and each contest can be seen on NCHC TV.
UND enters the series looking to climb the Pairwise rankings. The Fighting Hawks sit at No. 26 currently, and their goal is to reach the top 15 to secure a shot at the NCAA Tournament.
“It’s a situation where every game is critical right now,” UND coach Brad Berry said. “You’re playing the last 20 games of the regular season. You’ve got 16 after the break, and every game is critical.”
UND’s climb is made more challenging because of several injuries. Six players are listed as injured, which is nearly a quarter of the opposed to start the season last weekend.
First-line center Cameron Berg remains out. Top-pairing defenseman Bennett Zmolek also will be out long-term with a lowerLBody injury. A more specific timeline on Zmolek’s return will be announced before Christmas.
Additionally, third goalie Kaleb Johnson is out long-term.
Forward and captain Louis Jamernik V, forward Ben Strinden and defenseman Caleb MacDonald are questionable for the two-game set.
“There’s a good chance Strinden will be back in the lineup,” Berry said. “I can’t probably tell you right now, because I don’t know.”
The (7-7-1) RedHawks are not at full strength either. Miami has seven regulars out, including six due to injury,
USFHC fiotofo of the team, Carly Lehman said. The attitude in practice is much better and the team is looking to bounce back this weekend. Any will take the ice they can get.
UND’s issues have varied from night to night.
On some nights, it has been a lack of five-on-five scoring.
On other nights the penalty kill has struggled
More than once this season.
UND’s difficulty has kept the team from getting two regulation wins, or winning a tight game海底y sowieso.
Berry said but overall they haven’t been far off. They’ve had expected goals advantages in 10 of 14 games this season
“We’ve had a few games in the past that we’ve kind of dropped or let go to overtime,” UND forward Jayden Perron said. “So we’re hoping for two regulation wins this weekend.
Miami (3-11-2) also had some struggles this season, having been to
Amazingly it was the Redhawks last game ended no 8-1 drubbing to Omaha.
Miami has eight fifth-year seniors.
After Series, it hosts St. Clover State.
They’re huge (games),” UND defenseman Andrew Strathmann said. “We’re looking to gain momentum
What is the PairWise ranking, and how important is it for the Fighting Hawks’ chances of making the NCAA Tournament?
## Fighting Hawks Look to Soar Higher in Crucial Miami Series
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is Coach Brad Berry, Head Coach of the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks hockey team. Coach, thanks for being here.
**Coach Berry:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Host:** You guys are heading into a crucial four-game stretch before the holiday break, starting with a two-game series against Miami University this weekend. Can you talk about the importance of these games?
**Coach Berry:** Absolutely. Every game is critical at this point in the season, but these next four games are especially important for us. We’re looking to climb the Pairwise rankings and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. We’re currently sitting at No. 26, and our goal is to reach the top 15. [[1](https://kfgo.com/2023/11/19/no-2-4-fighting-hawks-cruise-to-another-nchc-sweep-with-5-1-win-vs-miami/)]
**Host:** And you mentioned the Pairwise rankings. For those who may not be familiar, can you explain what those are and why they’re so important?
**Coach Berry:** The Pairwise is a formula used to rank college hockey teams. It takes into account a variety of factors, including wins, losses, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results.
**Host:** You’re also dealing with some key injuries. Can you talk about how those are impacting the team?
**Coach Berry:** We’ve had some unfortunate injuries lately, with six players currently out. It’s tough to be missing nearly a quarter of our roster, including some key players like our first-line center Cameron Berg and a top-pairing defenseman.
**Host:** How are you adjusting your game plan with these injuries?
**Coach Berry:** We’re relying on our depth and asking guys to step up and fill roles they may not have been used to. It’s a great opportunity for our younger players to gain experience and show what they can do.
**Host:** Well, Coach, we wish you and the Fighting Hawks all the best in this critical stretch. Thanks for joining us.
**Coach Berry:** Thank you for having me. Go Hawks!
