UND Braces for Revamped Miami Squad as Penrose Race Tightens

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — November 2022. That’s the last time North Dakota hockey dropped a game to Miami (Ohio). Since then, the Fighting Hawks have rattled off 10 straight wins over the RedHawks.

But this weekend’s matchup at the Ralph Engelstad Arena presents a much different challenge.

Miami enters the series ranked No. 20 in the latest USCHO poll with an 8-8-2 mark in NCHC play, a dramatic turnaround from last season’s winless conference campaign and the year before, when the RedHawks managed just one league victory. With a revamped roster and renewed confidence, Miami has quickly become one of the conference’s hottest teams, winning seven of its last nine games, including an overtime victory over Western Michigan.

“Obviously, a lot better than last season,” said reigning NCHC Defenseman of the Week Abram Wiebe. “I think they’ve done a really good job with their transition from the offseason into this season. They’ve got a lot of different players, basically a whole new roster. They’ve won seven of their last nine games, especially beating a big team like Western Michigan last weekend. It’s really important for us, a big weekend, to come out strong and play a full 60 Friday night.”

Sophomore forward Cody Coral echoed that sentiment, emphasizing discipline and simplicity as keys to success.

“We’ve been talking a lot about them,” Coral said. “They’re a young team, but they’re really solid. Obviously, just beating Western in overtime, Western was on a pretty good streak. For us, it’s staying out of the box, sticking to our game, being simple, getting pucks behind them, and just being physical with them.”

The timing only adds to the intensity.

With three regular-season series remaining, every point carries weight. North Dakota is locked in a tight Penrose Cup race, leading Denver by just two points. Meanwhile, Miami is pushing for home-ice advantage in the opening round of the NCHC Tournament.

“Everybody’s playing for something,” head coach Dane Jackson said. “Whether it’s for home ice or a league title or whatever. The games are definitely heightened in importance and intensity. It’s that old NCHC way where it really prepares you for the biggest games because everybody’s fighting for every inch out there. Absolutely, it feels like that.”

Ten straight wins may tell the story of the past — this weekend will shape what comes next.

Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena.