UND will be looking for its third straight North Central Conference win today against Minnesota-Duluth. But it's looking like the Sioux again will be shorthanded.
UND finished its game against Augustana on Thursday night with seven available players. Injuries and suspensions have depleted the roster.
The Sioux already have lost guard Josh Doyle for the season with a knee injury. Tyler Koenig is out with a rib injury, although his status is listed as day-to-day. And in the first half against Augustana, backup forward Thomas Dryburgh suffered a punctured lung.
He will not play today.
In addition to the injuries, the Sioux have played the last two games without starting guard Ervin Youmans and backup center Ben Lehnertz. Both were suspended indefinitely last week before the team departed for St. Cloud State.
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Their suspensions are related to an in-house incident.
"We have set guidelines and when players don't meet those guidelines, disciplinary action takes place," UND coach Brian Jones said. "There were no legal ramifications at all. It was an internal issue within our team."
UND is 3-5 in the NCC and 11-12 overall. Duluth is 2-6 and 11-12.
The immediate goal for the Sioux is to place fourth or better in the NCC. If UND finishes in the top four, it is guaranteed at least one home game in the league postseason tournament.
After Duluth, UND hosts South Dakota next Thursday. South Dakota moved into first place in the NCC on Thursday with a win against Minnesota State-Mankato.
UND hopes to have more players available as it hits the final two weeks of the season.
"We hope we have enough gas in the tank with the quick turnaround," Jones said of today's game. "It'll be a battle of wills."
Reach Nelson at 780-1268, (800) 477-6572 ext. 268 or wnelson@gfherald.com .
