UND expecting three to return to the lineup against Bemidji State

Nov. 26—GRAND FORKS — UND used last weekend's exhibition against the U.S. Under-18 Team to allow a few players to recover from minor injuries.

Three of them are expected to be back in the lineup when UND plays against Bemidji State at the Sanford Center at 7:37 p.m. Friday night.

Forward Jack Kernan, defenseman Keaton Verhoeff and defenseman Abram Wiebe have been full participants at practice this week.

"Our D corps should resemble a little bit more like it has been," UND head coach Dane Jackson said. "We're getting some guys back — not all — but we're getting a little more healthy."

Verhoeff and Wiebe sat out of the exhibition game for precautionary reasons.

Kernan missed the series finale against Arizona State two weeks ago.

UND center Ellis Rickwood, who also missed the series finale against Arizona State with a lower-body injury, is doubtful to return against the Beavers.

Rickwood has centered one of UND's top two lines all season. He has one goal and eight points in 11 games, while serving as UND's top faceoff man (62.6%).

Defenseman Bennett Zmolek is questionable for the series against the program where his brother, Will, played for four seasons. Zmolek, who only played the season opener a year ago before suffering a season-ending hip injury, has suited up in every regular-season game this season.

UND freshman forward Josh Zakreski is sidelined longterm with a lower-body injury.

Bemidji State has dealt with injuries to defenseman Isa Parekh and goaltender Max Hildebrand.

Parehk is expected to play this weekend for the first time since Nov. 1. Parehk, whose brother Zayne is a defenseman on the Calgary Flames, is an offensive blue liner for the Beavers.

Hildebrand, a freshman, missed last weekend's series against Northern Michigan with an upper-body injury.

He has typically served as Bemidji State's goaltender for the series finale. Senior Raythan Robbins is Bemidji State's typical series-opener starter.