UND to simulate game situations in hour-long scrimmage open to public
Sep. 27—GRAND FORKS — UND fans won't have to wait until the exhibition game against the University of Manitoba on Oct. 7 to get a glimpse of this year's Fighting Hawks team.
UND is introducing a scrimmage as part of Hockey Fan Fest.
The Fighting Hawks will host an intrasquad scrimmage from 6-7 p.m. on Oct. 3 in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
The event is free and open to the public.
After the scrimmage, the players will sign autographs on the concourse.
Fans will be provided with free soda and popcorn as long as supplies last. There also will be giveaways.
The scrimmage is something UND used to do years ago.
"Back when I played and even when I first came back (as an assistant coach in 2000), we had a Green-White game," UND coach Brad Berry said. "It's a first look for the fans before the puck drops on the season. We've always had a Fan Fest, but we're going to incorporate a game-like atmosphere because we can get in an extra rep before we drop the puck for real."
UND is planning to play a five-on-five scrimmage. One team will have three lines, the other will have two.
It will then go down to four-on-four and three-on-three.
UND will practice special teams situations — alternating power plays between the teams and even a six-on-five situation.
The session will end with a three-man shootout.
There will be a lot of new faces for the fans — 14 of the 27 players on the roster this season are new. UND has seven incoming transfers and seven freshmen.
The Fighting Hawks will host the University of Manitoba on Oct. 7. The regular season begins with the Ice Breaker Tournament in Ralph Engelstad Arena on Oct. 13-14. UND will host Army on Oct. 13 and Wisconsin the following day.
Former UND defenseman Mike LaMoine, a member of the 1987 NCAA national championship team, will be the new color analyst on the radio for home games this season.
He will join play-by-play commentator Tim Hennessy in the booth in Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Travis Dunn, a member of UND's 1980 NCAA national championship team, held that position last season.
Dunn died unexpectedly in February.
For road games, Darrin Looker will serve as the color commentator alongside Hennessy for the second year in a row.
