It didn’t go well when Miami traveled to Grand Forks in early November, as North Dakota obliterated the RedHawks in the opener and closed out a series sweep by scoring four times in the first period and holding on for a one-goal win.
The Fighting Hawks are ranked No. 1 in college hockey, with a 15-1-1 record in their last 17, including a 5-0-1 mark in their most recent six road games.
A look at this weekend’s games:
WHO: No. 1 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (17-2-2) at Miami RedHawks (6-11-3).
WHEN: Friday – 6:30 p.m.; Saturday – 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Cady Arena (3,642), Oxford, Ohio.
ALL-TIME SERIES: North Dakota leads, 16-7-3.
NORTH DAKOTA RADIO: Both nights – KFJM-FM (96.1), Grand Forks, N.D.
MIAMI RADIO: Both nights – WMOH-AM (1450), Hamilton, Ohio.
TV: Friday – CBS College Sports (DirecTV Ch. 221).
STREAM: Saturday – NCHC.tv.
NOTES: North Dakota has dominated the top spot of the polls for over a month.
The Fighting Hawks have outscored their opponents, 88-38 and are outshooting foes on average, 31-21.
Jordan Kawaguchi is tied for third in the NCAA in points with 30, having scored 10 goals and assisted on 20 more.
New York Islanders draft pick Collin Adams has seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points, and a pair of other drafted players – Shane Pinto (Ottawa – 10-6-16) and Grant Mismash (Nashville – 6-9-15), have keyed the Fighting Hawks’ offense.
Colorado College transfer Westin Michaud has been another major contributor to the UND offense with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points.
Also up front, Cole Smith and Jasper Weatherby (San Jose) also have seven goals.
On defense, Jacob Bernard-Docker (Ottawa selection) and Matt Kiersted lead the corps with 14 points apiece.
Colton Poolman has two goals and nine assists, and another Senators pick – Jonny Tychonick – is 3-6-9 in 15 games.
Three other North Dakota skaters are NHL draftees: Harrison Blaisdell (Winnipeg), Gavin Hain (Philadelphia) and Judd Caulfield (Pittsburgh).
Adam Scheel has logged all but 27 minutes in net this season. He is 17-2-2 with a 1.73 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.
Columbus draftee Peter Thome played 25 minutes and stopped all three shots he faced.
North Dakota has been outstanding at killing penalties, doing so at a 91.4 percent clip.
The Fighting Hawks have also won three games in the 5-on-5 overtime.
View From the Glass 