The UND men's hockey team is tentatively scheduled to be the opponent when two Western Collegiate Hockey Association teams open new arenas next season.
Both Bemidji State and Minnesota-Duluth have tabbed the Sioux as guests on opening night of the Bemidji Regional Events Center and the new Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.
The Sioux will visit Bemidji on Oct. 15-16. It will also mark Bemidji State's first series as a member of the WCHA.
Minnesota-Duluth isn't expected to open the DECC until Dec. 30. All reports are that the arena is scheduled to open on time for the December game, which is a candidate to be the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game.
UND has strong ties to both programs.
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The Sioux have scheduled Bemidji State in eight of 10 seasons, including five in a row. The coaching staff also supported the Beavers in their attempt to join the WCHA -- a move that may have saved their program from folding.
Because of that, Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore asked the WCHA if they could schedule UND for the arena opener.
UND and Duluth have been longtime WCHA foes and the Bulldogs are now coached by former Sioux captain Scott Sandelin.
Sioux look to regain health
It's only three weeks into the season, but UND already has some bumps and bruises that need to be healed.
UND coach Dave Hakstol said Wednesday that the Sioux would likely be without the services of three regulars if the team had to play this weekend. It is unclear which players are banged up as nobody has missed a game yet.
Hakstol called the team's 4-1-1 start "a good base to build on."
UND's next games are Nov. 6-7 at Michigan Tech. The Huskies, 1-3 overall, host St. Cloud State this weekend.
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Briefly
Freshman goalie Aaron Dell became the second player in Sioux history to post a road shutout in his first-career start when he blanked Alaska-Anchorage 5-0 last Friday, UND's media relations office announced Wednesday. The only other player to post a road shutout on his debut was Billy Kriski in 1972. Kriski played in only two career games for UND. . . Red Line Report is projecting that Sioux defenseman recruit Derek Forbort will go No. 9 overall in June's NHL Entry Draft, which will be held in Los Angeles.
Reach Schlossman at (701) 780-1129; (800) 477-6572, ext. 129; or send e-mail to bschlossman@gfherald.com .
