UND looking to build defensive game against the nation's best offense

Russell Hons / UND athletics By Brad Elliott Schlossman Today at 8:26 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? GRAND FORKS — UND coach Dane Jackson rewatched the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game on the team's flight home from Austin, Texas, on Sunday morning. His assessment wasn't too harsh, despite a 5-3 loss to Michigan State at H-E-B Center. ADVERTISEMENT "There was actually a fair amount of good in the game as you go back and take the emotion out of it," Jackson said. "There are some things we've got to clean up and get a little more detailed. But there were good things to build on. We've had a really good week. We've been hitting on some of the defensive details." Those details will face their biggest challenge yet this weekend. UND, which has allowed 15 goals in its last three games, will play a two-game series against the No. 1-ranked scoring offense in the country in Western Michigan. The games are set for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday in Ralph Engelstad Arena. No. 5 Western Michigan (6-1) is averaging 5.7 goals per game so far this season. Their only loss came on a last-second buzzer-beater at Michigan. "Each win solidifies some more belief in what we're doing, especially for the young guys, especially for the new guys," Western Michigan head coach Pat Ferschweiler said. "This is how we win. We're here to be a winning, championship hockey club. We're not just here to win a game here or there." Offense has been a hallmark for the Broncos under Ferschweiler. They've finished in the top 10 nationally in all five seasons since he became head coach. ADVERTISEMENT "A ton of respect for Pat Ferschweiler, Jason Herter and those guys," Jackson said. "They have a really well-coached group. They're always good every year. We always think it's a great chance for us to measure ourselves in our league against one of the really good teams in the country." Western Michigan has several offensive threats. The top line of William Whitelaw, Adam Benák and Bobby Cowan has combined for 35 points in seven games. Whitelaw ranks third nationally in points with 14 and has tallied a point in every game this season. The second line of Iiro Hakkarainen, Grand Forks native Cole Spicer and Zaccharya Wisdom has 20 points in seven games. Third-line center Tommy Lafrenière, a third-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, is averaging a point per game. "It's a tough challenge, especially with some of our struggles the last couple weeks," UND assistant captain Mac Swanson said. "I think it's a good test for us. Obviously, they have a lot of high-end skill and put a lot of pucks in the net, but I think the way we can track and use our forwards and the 'D' can kind of stand, we can really shut them down as much as possible. But they're a great group, so it will be a tough challenge for us." Junior defenseman Brasen Boser will likely get some of UND's toughest defensive matchups. ADVERTISEMENT "I think it's just staying above them and having tight gaps all night, not really giving them time to make plays," Boser said. "Make them play through you, defend hard, play through their bodies and have good sticks everywhere." Western Michigan has jumped on its opponents early in games this season. The Broncos have outscored opponents 12-2 in the first period and 15-2 in the second. That's a 27-4 margin through two periods. "We've got our confidence up right now," Benák said after sweeping Long Island University last weekend. "We've just got to keep working and get ready for North Dakota, because it's going to be a tough weekend." Western Michigan also has been efficient on the defensive end, allowing just 1.6 goals per game (seventh nationally). The Broncos have a veteran defensive corps led by Hobey Baker Award candidate Joona Väisänen, senior Cole Crusberg-Roseen, senior Theo Wallberg, junior Zach Sharp, junior Michael Neumeier and sophomore Colby Woogk. "They have a lot of defensive pressure on you," Jackson said. "It's hard to come through the neutral zone. It's hard to enter their zone easily. Puck management is going to be really important. We're excited for this challenge. We know what a strong team they are and we're fired up to compete against them." ADVERTISEMENT This is the lone regular-season matchup between the teams this season. UND (4-3) does not travel to Lawson Ice Arena, which is in its final season. "Guys have been resolute, focused, hungry and ready to learn and get better," Jackson said. "We understand we've got to get better. We've got to continue to find better ways to do things and to clean up defensive things. You can't be good most the time. It's got to be good all the time." Notes Mike LaMoine , the regular analyst on the Fighting Hawks Radio Network, will miss this weekend's games. Steve Olson , who previously served as the radio analyst, will fill in. LaMoine will return for next weekend's road series at St. Thomas. . . UND recruit Liam Ruck , a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, had a breakout game Wednesday night, tallying a hat trick and five points for Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League. . . Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects is in Grand Forks this week working on UND hockey content. No. 5 Western Michigan at No. 10 UND When: 7:07 p.m. Friday, 6:07 p.m. Saturday. Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena. TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD). Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM). Stream: NCHC TV. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS UND SPORTS UND FIGHTING HAWKS HOCKEY SUBSCRIBERS ONLY By Brad Elliott Schlossman Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald's circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at [email protected]. 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