After strong first half, UND coach Brad Berry looks ahead

Dec. 14—GRAND FORKS — UND head coach Brad Berry had a few days to decompress after his team's back-to-back overtime losses at home to Colorado College.

It was the first bit of adversity this season for the Fighting Hawks, who have started 12-5-1 and are ranked in the top five nationally in both polls and the Pairwise Rankings.

Berry's assessment of the first half went beyond the last two games.

"I know everybody is getting caught up in the overtime losses, especially the most recent ones here," Berry said. "It doesn't take away what we've done here so far. Having only two regulation losses in the first half against formidable competition is very positive for us. We have to keep building on it."

UND will have to wait to do that.

The Fighting Hawks are in the midst of a 20-day break between games.

Their next action will be Dec. 30, when they play an exhibition against the U.S. Under-18 Team. Their next regular-season competition is Jan. 5-6 against Alaska (Fairbanks). The Nanooks will be UND's last nonconference opponent of the regular season.

"I think the break comes at a great time for us," Berry said. "We'll get guys healed up who are dinged up a little bit. Guys can get some energy in the tank. Some guys are down a little bit of energy after playing every weekend and a lot of minutes. And I think taking a mental re-set here (is important), and getting energized for a long run in the second half."

The players will head home for about 10 days before re-convening in Grand Forks.

Berry said he expects the players to stay in shape. But he also wants them to decompress a little bit.

"It's not just a total time off," Berry said. "They're going to keep themselves in shape by skating and working out and different things like that. I think the mental side, taking a deep breath, getting recharged and being excited about the second half (will be part of Christmas break).

"There are a lot of positives. We've had a really good first half. Go to break. Be with your families. Then come back, knowing you have three months ahead of you to make a push to do something special here."

UND struggled against Colorado College's defensive structure last weekend.

Improving against teams that play the same style — Alaska also is a strong defensive team — will be one challenge for the second half.

Another is getting power play numbers up. UND currently is converting 19.7 percent of its power-play chances, No. 24 nationally.

The Fighting Hawks have recently juggled their power-play units.

"Specialty teams are going to be huge," Berry said. "When teams play very good defensive hockey — we do as well — goals are tough to come by."

Grand Forks native Jackson Kunz was a recent addition to one of the units, playing net front. He tipped home a Cameron Berg pass for a goal against the Tigers.

"I've kind of been (playing that position) my whole life, so it's kind of comfortable for me," Kunz said. "To be able to get that opportunity is cool."

One player won't be taking a breather.

UND rookie defenseman Jake Livanavage began tryouts for the U.S. World Junior Championship team in Plymouth, Mich., on Thursday.

If Livanavage makes the team, he'll head to Sweden for the under-20 tournament next week. It would mean he'd miss UND's exhibition against the Under-18 Team and the regular-season series against the Nanooks.

Livanavage is considered on the bubble to make the team.

UND recruit Mac Swanson is lighting it up at the World Junior A Challenge in Nova Scotia.

The forward, who plays for the Fargo Force, is tied as the tournament's leading scorer with seven points in three games. He had two goals and an assist in a 5-1 win over Canada West on Thursday. Swanson was named the player of the game.

UND defenseman commit Andrew Strathmann and goalie commit Caleb Heil also are on Team USA.

Warroad's Hampton Slukynsky, a goalie committed to Northern Michigan, has been strong for the Americans, posting a .903 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average in three starts.

The team is coached by former UND captain Matt Smaby.

The Americans will play Canada East in round robin Friday before heading to the semifinals Saturday and medal game Sunday.

Swanson and Strathmann are expected to be at UND next fall. Heil's arrival date is up in the air.