UND expecting Bennett Zmolek back for Boston University series
Nov. 1—GRAND FORKS — Bennett Zmolek defended Jackson Blake on a rush at practice Wednesday.
As Blake attempted to make a move, Zmolek kept him to the outside and forced a puck into the corner.
Yes, the UND defenseman is back and ready to go.
"He's in," UND coach Brad Berry said. "He's playing. He's all in."
Zmolek is expected to return to UND's lineup Friday night when the No. 3 Fighting Hawks play at No. 9 Boston University in Agganis Arena.
The Rochester, Minn., product missed last weekend's series against his former team, Minnesota State-Mankato, due to an injury he sustained Oct. 21 while blocking a shot against Minnesota.
The Fighting Hawks (4-1-1) are not yet sure on the status of defenseman Keaton Pehrson, who missed last weekend's series with a lower-body injury.
Pehrson, who has missed the last three games, skated Wednesday.
"He's day-to-day, getting close," Berry said.
Pehrson will make the trip to Boston — along with every other member of the team.
In National Collegiate Hockey Conference games, teams are limited to 23-man travel rosters. That means UND has to leave three players behind. There is no travel limit for nonconference games.
"I think it's great," Berry said. "Everybody gets a taste of what going on the road looks like from practicing on a Thursday to the game day stuff on Friday and Saturday to even the travel and how that works. So, I think it's awesome. I know it binds them together as a team because you're around each other a lot more. I know our guys around here are together a lot, but when you get on the road, you're forced to do that. Our guys look forward to getting together here."
Last weekend, without Zmolek and Pehrson, UND's four rookies — Jake Livanavage, Abram Wiebe, Nate Benoit and Tanner Komzak — saw extended action against the Mavericks. UND won 6-2 and tied 2-2.
Boston University, which enters the weekend on a three-game unbeaten streak, is not expecting to be without players due to injury.
"Everyone is available this weekend," Terriers head coach Jay Pandolfo said Wednesday afternoon. "There are no injuries that I'm aware of. Everyone practiced today. We should have the whole lineup ready to go."
When: 6 p.m. CT, 7 p.m. ET Friday and Saturday.
Where: Agganis Arena, Boston.
Stream: ESPN Plus.
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
