This weekend, the University of North Dakota hockey team takes on the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in an important two-game conference series. After losing eight games in a row to the Bulldogs, UND has won two of the last three games.<\/p>\n
Make no mistake about it, the two teams hate each other. Expect a very tense, highly contested series. Like his Fighting Hawks teammates, junior forward Cole Smith is looking forward to this weekend’s series.<\/p>\n
“We kind of go at it every series, but I think that the built-in rivalry is good. I like that,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
The two teams split an earlier two-game series (0-5 L, 2-1 W) on November 30-December 1, 2018 in Duluth, MN. The first meeting between the two teams was a bit rough. When the weekend was over, both teams would lose two players to major penalties. I think it’s safe to say that the NCHC officials could have their hands full this weekend.<\/p>\n
How do you play in a rivalry series like this and not lose your head? You don’t want a parade to the penalty box. Earlier in the season, head coach Brad Berry explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to be aggressive as a team, but you have to have discipline in the game,\u201d Berry said. \u201cI go back to a guy like (former head coach) Gino Gasperini, a long time ago, he said when you\u2019re playing in these types of series, you\u2019ve got to get to the edge. You can\u2019t be over the edge, and you can\u2019t be three feet back from the edge. You have to get to the edge and you have to play on the edge.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the past three games, one player from the Bulldogs has gone over that edge. Bulldog defenseman Nick Wolff has been thrown out of three straight games against the Fighting Hawks. The question this weekend, will Wolff get tossed for the fourth game in a row? But who\u2019s keeping track, right?<\/p>\n
March 17, 2018 \u2013 Third place game of the Frozen Faceoff, Wolff received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for kneeing.<\/p>\n
November 30, 2018 \u2013 game one, UND vs. UMD, Wolff receives a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a face masking penalty.<\/p>\n
December 1, 2018, Nick Wolff five-minute major and a game misconduct for contact to the head.<\/p>\n
As this play unfolded, the UMD television crew disagreed vehemently with the call on Wolff, here\u2019s a GIF of the hit in question. You have to be a total homer not to see that this is a major penalty. Wolff drills Smith in the head.<\/p>\n
\nWolff ejected for this hit. #UMDmHky<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/r8bADzZBrZ<\/a><\/p>\n
— UMD Hockey gifs (@UMDHockeygifs) December 2, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n