UND and Providence meet for first time in a decade – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS – Providence last played UND a decade ago.

The Friars came to Grand Forks in October for a two-game set. UND defeated Providence 6-1 in the series opener.

In the series finale, UND led 2-1 against the Friars in the final minute, but coach Nate Leaman drawn goalkeeper Jon Gillies for an additional attacker and Nick Saracino dotted. The game ended 2-2.

The Saracino goal didn't seem too dramatic at the time. It was, after all, the third weekend of the season. But in the end it was one of the most important goals of the year.

Without that goal, Providence would have missed the NCAA tournament. That meant the Friars snuck in as the last overall team, then made a run and won the 2015 NCAA national title at TD Garden in Boston.

“This is where good karma comes back,” Leaman said.

It also shows how early season games can shape a college hockey season.

No. 6 UND and No. 13 Providence meet again in the US Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. It is the regular season opener for both teams.

The Friars won their preseason game 4-1 against Union.

“They’re a very tough team,” UND coach said Brad Berry said. “They are physical. They play fast. They are playing a North game. They are bringing an opponent with them that is one of the best-ranked teams in the country. We have to make sure we play our game to be successful against this team.

Lydia Vigneau / Providence College Athletics

The matchup features two of the best freshman classes in the country.

The headliner for UND is the first-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks Sacha BoisvertFirst round pick of the New York Rangers EJ Emery and United States Hockey League MVP MacSwansona seventh-rounder of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The headliner for Providence is the first-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights Trevor ConnellyChicago Blackhawks third-round pick John Mustard and the Montreal Canadiens' third-round pick Logan Sawyer.

“I like our freshman class,” Leaman said. “I think we added some skill. I like our speed and I like our size. I think we're still figuring some things out. It will be a good game to assess where you stand.”

Another of the Friars' top rookies has yet to be cleared by the NCAA.

defender Tomas Machua seventh-round pick of the New York Islanders is awaiting word.

“We're waiting to hear something today, but we haven't heard anything all day,” Leaman said Friday afternoon. “So I wouldn’t say it looks good. He played some games in the first league in the Czech Republic, but also some in the second. The problem at the moment is that they call the second league a professional league. And that is not the case when it comes to the second league in Slovakia, in Sweden, in Finland or elsewhere, because everyone knows that these people don't make money there .”

Leaman said he hopes the U.S. Hall of Fame Game isn't the last time the Friars and Fighting Hawks play in the near future.

“I would like to bring these people into our building,” Leaman said. “I would like to do that.”

UND last played at Providence in 1989.

The city is important to the UND program. UND has won three of its eight NCAA national titles in Providence – 1980, 1982 and 2000.

However, UND's future schedule is already full. The Fighting Hawks are fully booked for next season and only have one season remaining in 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29.

UND expects a large number of former players to attend Alumni Weekend.

A banquet was held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena on Friday evening. The players are also scheduled to skate together on Saturday afternoon before the Hall of Fame Game.

“We have a lot of alumni here who come from a lot of different eras,” Berry said. “There will be an obvious goal and obligation to play in front of our former players.”

Don't expect to see the same line combinations as UND's preseason show against Augustana last weekend.

The Fighting Hawks struggled to maintain offense after a 4-1 loss.

Asked if he would consider juggling lines for the Providence game, Berry said: “Absolutely. We will and we have, yes.”

AND forward Ben Strinden said he was looking forward to the official start of the season.

“It’s exciting,” Strinden said. “I think it was good to put together a game even if it didn't go the way we wanted.”

Even though UND hasn't played Providence in a decade, there will be some familiarity between some players.

The brothers answered Logan Will from Colorado College in the transfer portal in the spring. Will had a big year against UND last season. He scored in three of four games and won 60 percent of his faceoffs.

Providence defender Connor Kelley played two seasons at Minnesota Duluth from 2020-22. In November 2021, he played a series in The Ralph.

Defender of the Brothers Carl Fish played four seasons in Minnesota from 2020 to 2024. During that time, he faced UND twice – last year in the series at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The Fighting Hawks and Gophers split this series.

Providence forward Ryan O'Reilly played four years at Arizona State from 2020-2024. He was teammates with the UND goalie TJ Semptimphelter the last two seasons.

• UND goalkeeper Hobie Hedquist missed last weekend's tournament due to an undisclosed injury but has since returned to training.
• Leaman on UND’s performance: “I thought Augustana took advantage of their opportunities. I think (the Fighting Hawks) play fast. You want to become strong. They want to play north. We have to make sure we are connected all over the ice. “We have to make sure we are playing against a team that always wants to play fast. I'm excited to see where we are.
• Providence pumped sound into its practices this week. Leaman said it's not just about preparing for the crowd noise at Ralph Engelstad Arena. “Part of it is we need to stay fresh for the guys,” he said.

WHO: No. 13 Providence at No. 6 UND.
When: 6:07 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Ralph Engelstad Arena.
TV: Midco Sports (GF Ch. 27/622 HD).
Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).