UND, Minnesota set for showdown in The Ralph

Oct. 18—GRAND FORKS — Louis Jamernik V knows this week is different.

The UND senior forward has played in four North Dakota-Minnesota rivalry hockey games, and on campus, the reminders started early this week.

"Even my teachers are talking about it in class," said Jamernik, a commercial aviation major. "Everybody cares about it. It's circled on everybody's calendars. It means a lot to people."

The latest edition of the UND-Minnesota rivalry will take place at 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Both teams enter the weekend ranked in the top five nationally. Minnesota is No. 1. UND is No. 5.

"It's going to be a huge weekend," Jamernik said. "A lot is invested into it. Fans really care. It's going to be a sold-out barn. I know tickets were hard to come by even last Monday. So, it's going to be fun.

"There's a lot of history and tradition behind it. That's one of the big pillars of this program. It's a lot more than just a game for us. It's special to win."

The Fighting Hawks (2-0) and Gophers (2-0) have played twice since the pandemic.

In 2022-23, they split a two-game series in Ralph Engelstad Arena. The Gophers won the opener 5-1. UND came back to win the series finale 3-2.

Last season, they split a two-game series in 3M Arena at Mariucci. The Gophers won the series opener on an overtime goal by Matthew Knies. The Fighting Hawks won the series finale on an overtime goal by Mark Senden.

"This is a storied rivalry," Minnesota defenseman Luke Mittelstadt said. "No matter what, it's going to be fun. They're going to bring it. We're going to bring it. Not much has to be said about this one."

Mittelstadt's older brother, Casey, has played in the rivalry in Grand Forks, but Luke said he's never been in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

"I've heard good things," Mittelstadt said. "But I don't know if they're good things to us."

Both teams have a different look from last season.

More than half of UND's roster — 14 of 26 players — are new this season. For many, this will be their first experience in the rivalry.

"I think a lot of guys are starting to understand how loud it's going to be in here, how crazy the crowd gets and how much this means to both programs and fan bases," Gaber said. "We've just got to stick to our game and do what we do best and what makes us successful. Obviously, emotions are going to be a little higher. Guys are going to be up for it being a big rivalry. It's an exciting time for us, for the fans and all of Grand Forks."

Minnesota also had some turnover in key positions.

Hobey Baker Award finalists Logan Cooley and Knies turned pro, as did defensemen Brock Faber, Jackson LaCombe and Ryan Johnson.

But the Gophers have key players back like first-round NHL Draft pick Jimmy Snuggerud, who scored four goals last weekend against St. Thomas.

Snuggerud's father, Dave, and grandfather, James Westby, both played in the rivalry. Jimmy said he hasn't received any advice from them this week.

"Just how much everyone in Minnesota hates them," Snuggerud said. "That's kind of the whole scenario this weekend. Even I hate them a lot. It's a Minnesota thing. Our team values this week a lot and we're going to come in strong."

The rivalry can be spicy.

The last time UND and Minnesota played, players on both teams received five-minute major penalties and were ejected from the game — defenseman Tyler Kleven for the Fighting Hawks and Cooley for the Gophers.

Minnesota's Rhett Pitlick was assessed a 10-minute misconduct for throwing his stick in the crowd to celebrate a second-period goal that put the Gophers ahead 2-0. UND turned the tide after that, scoring four times while Pitlick was in the penalty box.

"With a rivalry and how much hype there is around the game, emotions get into the game a lot," Jamernik said. "You have to stay level-headed. You can't get too high or low. If they score a goal, we can't get down. If we score a goal, we can't get too fired up. You've got to play excited, but you've got to ride that line of playing hard and heavy, but still maintaining discipline."

The early-season series means stakes aren't as high as the classic playoff showdowns between the teams.

But both sides know it will be a spotlight matchup.

"It's going to be a series that's watched around the country," UND coach Brad Berry said, "with two really good teams going after it."

Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said during Wednesday's press conference that forward Mason Nevers and defenseman Mike Koster would remain out this weekend.

Both players missed last weekend's series against St. Thomas.

Nevers, a senior, had 23 points last season. Koster, a senior, had 29.

Sophomore defenseman Ryan Chesley, who played nearly 28 minutes Saturday against St. Thomas, is questionable with an injury, Motzko said.

All UND players were full participants at practice Wednesday.

UND and Minnesota will not play during the 2024-25 regular season, but the rivalry won't be dormant for long.

The sides have been working toward a contract beginning in 2025-26. Motzko said Wednesday the deal will be four years.

Nothing has been signed yet, but it appears to be headed that way.

"I think it's great for college hockey," Berry said. "You go back to the old WCHA days with the tradition and history of players, coaches and fans enjoying it. It creates a buzz and excitement. Both teams have elite players on their rosters. It's nice to have competition with two evenly matched teams. I think it's good overall for the growth of the game, knowing both teams are willing to play each other on a yearly basis even though they're in different conferences."

When: 7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena.

TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD).

Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM) on Friday; Cat Country (100.3) on Saturday.

Stream: NCHChockey.com.