Not many UND players will forget the team's last trip to the Sanford Center.
Technically, it's not the game that they all remember. It's the following day.
After putting together a lackluster performance and losing 1-0 on a Sunday afternoon in Bemidji, UND players were called to practice at 6 a.m. Monday morning.
There were no pucks at that practice.
Just skating. A lot of it.
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That wake-up call in 2011 eventually jump-started UND to a furious finish, a Western Collegiate Hockey Association Final Five title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Friday, the team returns to the Sanford Center (7:37 p.m. start), this time hoping to avoid a repeat of the last trip.
"Our guys are pretty happy with what's going on, but I don't what us to become complacent, either," said UND sophomore Rocco Grimaldi, whose team is on a seven-game winning streak. "I don't want us to get on this high just because we're on this roll right now. I want us to keep doing what we're doing -- keep working hard and also having fun with what we're doing."
UND (11-7-2) has continually found ways to win close games. During its current seven-game winning streak, six of the contests were within a goal in the third period. UND has trailed in five of the seven games.
"We're finding good ways to win games," UND coach Dave Hakstol said. "It's different parts of our game each night that's helping us get over the hump. A couple weeks ago against Western Michigan, it was special teams -- our power plays and penalty kill -- that made the difference. This past weekend (against Colorado College), our special teams struggled, but we had good scoring depth, and that turned the tables for us."
UND captain Dillon Simpson added: "Nothing is coming easy right now. Every win has been a tough win. I think, down the stretch, that might help us out. It builds character."
UND still has work to do if it wants to keep its 11-year streak of NCAA tournament appearances -- the longest in college hockey -- alive.
The team currently sits at No. 19 in the Pairwise Rankings. It will need to get, at minimum, in the top 15 to earn a berth. UND can do itself a favor this weekend by bumping up its nonconference record, which is now 4-2-2. The Beavers (7-11-6 overall, 7-7-4 WCHA) are UND's last nonconference opponent this season.
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"We're focusing on Friday," Grimaldi said. "They are a hard team to play against. They do a good job of making the neutral zone a little smaller than it is, squeezing us out and making us dump pucks in. We've got to go in there sharp, focused and ready for a battle."
After this weekend, UND has 12 regular-season games remaining. Only one of those series will come against a team below .500 -- Nebraska Omaha.
This weekend's series is a home-and-home, with the series finale being scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Saturday in Ralph Engelstad Arena. The team hopes the bus trip back to Grand Forks will be better than the last one down U.S. Highway 2.
"Coming to the rink on Mondays are a lot more fun when you sweep than when you lose, split or tie," Grimaldi said.
Friday's TV info
Friday's game should be able to be viewed for customers with Midcontinent Cable on a PBS Channel.
For those with a cable box, it's Channel 597. It's part of the limited digital package. For those without a cable box, it will be on Channel 3.3 (or one of those digital channels in the 3s). For those with questions, consult your local cable company.
Saturday's game will be televised on the regular Midco Sports Network stations.
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Briefly
UND traveled to Bemidji on Thursday during a winter storm, but arrived without problems. It took a detour, using Highways 200 and 9 to get to Crookston, because Highway 2 was closed. . . UND will travel back to Grand Forks after Friday's game. Bemidji State is scheduled to make the trip to Grand Forks on Saturday morning.
Schlossman reports on sports. Call him at (701) 780-1129, (800) 477-6572 ext. 1129 or send e-mail to bschlossman@gfherald.com .
