Preview: The Gophers and North Dakota will play for the first time in 2½ years, renewing a series that dates to 1930. The Fighting Hawks (5-2, 0-2 NCHC) were 5-0 and ranked No. 1 before they were swept last weekend at Minnesota Duluth, dropping them to No. 3. The No. 13 Gophers (3-2-1) earned a victory at Clarkson and a tie at St. Lawrence last week in a pair of overtime games.

Players to watch: F Tyler Sheehy tops the Gophers with eight points (three goals, five assists), leading a balanced offense in which 13 players have at least one goal. North Dakota F Brock Boeser of Burnsville leads the NCHC and is tied for fifth in the nation with 12 points (six goals, six assists).

Numbers: Gophers coach Don Lucia is three victories away from becoming the seventh coach in NCAA history to reach 700 for his career. … The Gophers are averaging 4.17 goals per game, fifth most in the nation. … North Dakota is 23-1-3 in its past 27 nonconference games.

Injuries: None.

RACHEL BLOUNT