UND faces No. 1 scoring offense this weekend

North Dakota Fighting Hawks coach Dane Jackson watched the tape of his team’s recent loss to Michigan State during the flight home from Austin. The team dropped that contest 5-3 at the H-E-B Center on Sunday. Jackson noted that while the result was not ideal, the underlying play showed promise. He stated that the squad needs to clean up specific details but has good elements to build upon. The coaching staff has focused on defensive mechanics throughout the week.

The Fighting Hawks (4-3) face their toughest test yet this weekend in Grand Forks. They host Western Michigan (6-1) for a two-game series. The Broncos rank first nationally in scoring, averaging 5.7 goals per game this season. Their only loss came via a last-second goal at Michigan. The games will be played at 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

UND has allowed 15 goals in its last three games. That defensive vulnerability meets a Western Michigan offense that has led the country in scoring for five straight seasons under head coach Pat Ferschweiler. Ferschweiler said the recent wins have built belief in his young and new players. He emphasized that the team aims to be a championship club rather than just winning individual games. The Broncos have finished in the top 10 nationally in scoring during Ferschweiler’s tenure.

The Broncos’ top line of William Whitelaw, Adam Benák and Bobby Cowan has combined for 35 points in seven games. Whitelaw ranks third in the nation with 14 points and has scored or assisted in every game this season. The second line, featuring Iiro Hakkarainen, Grand Forks native Cole Spicer and Zaccharya Wisdom, has 20 points. Third-line center Tommy Lafrenière is averaging one point per game.

UND junior defenseman Brasen Boser expects to handle many of the high-end matchups. He said the defense must stay above the puck carriers and keep tight gaps. Boser added that the team needs to force opponents to play through their bodies and maintain good stick positioning. Assistant captain Mac Swanson called the series a good test for the team. He noted that North Dakota must use its forwards and defensemen to track and shut down the Broncos’ puck movement.

Western Michigan has dominated the early stages of games this season. The Broncos have outscored opponents 12-2 in the first period and 15-2 in the second. That creates a 27-4 margin through the first two periods. Benák said the team has confidence after sweeping Long Island University last weekend. He said the group must stay focused because North Dakota will present a difficult challenge.

The Broncos also limit goals against, allowing just 1.6 per game, which ranks seventh nationally. Their defensive corps includes Hobey Baker Award candidate Joona Väisänen, senior Cole Crusberg-Roseen, senior Theo Wallberg, junior Zach Sharp, junior Michael Neumeier and sophomore Colby Woogk. Jackson said the Broncos apply pressure in the neutral zone, making it hard for teams to enter their zone easily. He added that puck management will be critical for North Dakota.

This is the only regular-season meeting between the two teams this year. UND does not travel to Lawson Ice Arena, which is in its final season. Jackson said the players have been focused and hungry to learn. He stated that the team must continue to find better ways to play and clean up defensive habits. The coach emphasized that being good most of the time is not enough; the team must be good all the time.