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GRAND FORKS — Dig out your white clothes for Saturday night’s UND hockey game.
The Fighting Hawks are planning a white out in Ralph Engelstad Arena for the series finale against the University of Denver.
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UND has periodically done white outs in the past — with varying success — for rivalry games.
No. 5 UND (17-5) and No. 9 Denver (12-9-2) enter the series in first and second place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference standings at the midway point. The Fighting Hawks are five points up on the Pioneers, six up on third-place Western Michigan.
“We’re halfway through our league,” UND coach Dane Jackson said. “Every point is critical, especially when you’re playing against the team you’re battling with. Obviously, Western Michigan is right there as well. They’re important, but we’re going to focus on playing our best. We’re going to try to stay within ourselves, have that controlled emotion and be playing hard and playing on the edge.”
This is the only regular-season meeting between the Fighting Hawks and Pioneers this season. They do not play in Denver’s Magness Arena again until 2026-27.
After tallying one point in his first 13 games at UND, junior forward Anthony Menghini is heating up.
He has five points in the last eight games, including a two-point night in Saturday’s 5-2 win at Colorado College.
“It’s nice when you have a little bit of confidence,” Menghini said after the game. “You feel more comfortable out there holding onto pucks and making plays. Obviously, it feels great. But most importantly, we got the team win.”
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UND played without two forwards last weekend at Colorado College.
Winger Josh Zakreski, who had surgery in early November, has yet to resume skating. Winger Cody Croal, who did not make the trip to Colorado Springs because of an illness, is still in doubt for this weekend.
“He skated for a little bit today,” Jackson said, “but not for very long. He’s still kind of working his way back. I think he’s questionable.”
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