UND Hosts Denver this Weekend; Top-5 Showdown at the Ralph

NO. 5 NORTH DAKOTA HOSTS NO. 4 DENVER THIS WEEKEND.

GRAND FORKS, N.D.(KVRR)–The Ralph Engelstad Arena is the home of the current number 5 team in the country according to the most recent USCHO.com poll. The Hawks now prepare for a marquee matchup this weekend, hosting the number four Denver Pioneers.

The Hawks are coming off a four-point weekend against No. 15 St. Cloud State and now gear up for their second series of the season with Denver. Series one was a four-point weekend for the Hawks out in Denver with a 7-5 win on December 1 and a 3-2 Overtime loss on December 2. The team hopes for another successful weekend at The Ralph.

“I thought we did a great job in St. Cloud just being able to come out strong hard that first night and getting the win,” said freshman Defenseman Abram Wiebe. “That was a big four points for us. We’re looking forward to another big weekend in the standings and it’s going to be a battle.”

Head coach Brad Berry hopes the team can continue to play good hockey down the stretch.

“Guys look forward to these series,” said Berry. “These are old rivalries and this is no different. We want to be playing our best hockey down the stretch here with a consistent brand of hockey that gives us a chance to win.”

Senior forward Riese Gaber knows the rivalry between the Hawks and Pioneers is storied for players new and old.

“We love to beat them; they love to beat us,” said Gaber. “We’re two very good programs and very storied. That goes back a long way. The history and, you know, I think that rivalry has just grown over the years and creates a lot of tension.”

Coming into this weekend, North Dakota (26 points; 1st place) leads Denver (23 points; 3rd place) by just three points in the NCHC standings. So, this weekend is huge for both teams.

Game one on Friday night will be at 7:36 P.M. on CBS Sports Network.

Game Two on Saturday at 6:07 P.M. on Midco Sports.