UND set for long-awaited hockey game in Nashville

UND and Penn State have had to wait a year to face off in hockey, but the wait ends Saturday night in Nashville.

The teams face off in the U-S Hockey Hall of Fame game, which was postponed in 2020 because of COVID-19.

Sixth-rated UND is 4-and-2. Penn State is 5-and-1.

It may be a bigger stage, but according to UND Coach Brad Berry, “I don’t think there’s any added pressure. We have pressure every time we step on the ice as far as trying to do the things we have to do to win games, and for us, it’s a non-conference game that’s big in the PairWise standings. We want to prepare and focus accordingly.”

UND senior forward Brendan Budy says this is not a pleasure trip, but “a business trip for us. It’s a win we want to have and a win we need.”

UND defenseman Chris Jandric says it will be fun to play in Bridgestone Arena, which seats 17,000.

“I think we ought to embrace it and realize how special it is to have so many fans in North Dakota and have that mindset that, even though there’s 17,000 fans, we still have to play our game,” Jandric said.

Saturday’s game starts at 7:07 PM. It will be the first time the teams have faced each other.

(Photo: Bridgestone Arena)