UND, Miami both will be without regulars for weekend series
Feb. 1—GRAND FORKS — On the first day of fall camp, Miami's projected top-line center Albin Nilsson suffered an injury that kept him out half the season.
That was a sign of things to come.
Miami has dealt with waves of injuries to key players this season and this weekend will be no different.
Among the players expected to be out for the RedHawks when they take the ice at 6:05 p.m. Friday for a matchup against No. 2-ranked UND: top-line winger Matthew Barbolini (tied as leading scorer), center William Hallen (fifth-leading scorer), stay-at-home defenseman Michael Feenstra and starting goaltender Logan Neaton, the lone NHL Draft pick on the roster.
It's possible the RedHawks (7-15-2) also could be without center Raimonds Vitolins (fourth-leading scorer) and depth forward Frankie Carogioiello, too.
"It's a challenge," said Miami coach Chris Bergeron, whose team practiced with 11 forwards Wednesday. "I've always looked at it as an opportunity for people to step up.
"I don't blame anything for our results outside of our play. I feel bad for the individuals. It started with Albin Nilsson on the first day and it's consistently been the forward group. It's been difficult to keep a healthy lineup, in particular, with our group of forwards."
Barbolini, who has 21 points in 21 games, had averaged more time on ice per game than any forward in the National College Hockey Conference at the time of his injury Jan. 19 against Colorado College. He had a goal and two points against UND in November.
Neaton, a fifth-round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in 2019, has carried the load in net. He started 18 of Miami's first 20 games. Since his injury, rookie Bruno Bruveris has gotten the call.
Bruveris has a 3.48 goals-against average and an .877 save percentage.
"There's one group of people who won't feel sorry for us," Bergeron said. "And that's North Dakota. They're fighting for a league championship. They're obviously really good."
UND (18-6-2) will remain without two regular forwards for the weekend series.
Top-line left wing Hunter Johannes and checking-line wing Carson Albrecht did not travel to Oxford, Ohio.
Johannes will miss his fourth and fifth games with a lower-body injury he suffered at St. Cloud State two weeks ago. He missed the series finale against the Huskies and last weekend's home series against the University of Denver.
Albrecht will miss his third and fourth games with an upper-body injury. Albrecht also was held out of the Denver series.
UND has next weekend off before traveling to Colorado College.
Both Johannes and Albrecht will be re-evaluated ahead of the series against the Tigers to see if they're ready to return.
The NCHC allows 23 players to travel to league road series. With 25 players on the roster after Michael Emerson's departure, that means every healthy player traveled to Oxford, including third goaltender Kaleb Johnson.
UND will have 12 forwards, eight defensemen and three goalies available.
When: 6:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: Goggin Ice Center, Oxford, Ohio.
TV: None.
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).
Stream: NCHChockey.com.
