Minnesota Duluth Seeks Rare Win in St. Cloud

Who: #17 Minnesota Duluth at #7 St. Cloud State

When: Friday night's game starts at 7:37pm, Saturday's game starts at 7:07pm

Television: Friday's game is on Fox Sports North Plus or Fox College Sports Atlantic. Saturday's game is back on the traditional Charter/Comcast channel St. Cloud State games are usually aired on(Charter 428/823 and Comcast 999). Also, Friday's game is on Fox Sports North Plus.

After watching Minnesota Duluth win on three straight Saturdays, I'll be messing with the rhythm of the universe by covering the Bulldogs on a Friday night in St. Cloud.  Here's what to watch for:

-Both teams come into this game with a .500 record, albeit against tremendously tough schedules. All signs indicate another split here, but if one team can earn a sweep, that would give that team a huge edge in the NCHC standings.

-The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center has been a house of horrors for Minnesota Duluth. The last time the Bulldogs won a regular season game there was November 27th, 2004.

-On the injury front, Minnesota Duluth captain Adam Krause is still out with a broken wrist. St. Cloud State's Ryan Papa is still out after double hip surgery. According to Mick Hatten at the St. Cloud Times: Nick McCormack will be out for Minnesota Duluth with an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, sophomore forward Daniel Tedesco should be healthy for St. Cloud State.

-Friday will also be the home debut for Finnish freshman Mika Ilvonen, who had to sit out the season's first five games for an NCAA eligibility infraction. He made his debut in last Saturday's overtime loss to #1 Minnesota.

-The goaltending situation seems to have resolved itself at both schools. St. Cloud's Charlie Lindgren and Duluth's Kasimir Kaskisuo having taken over the starting jobs and are expected to start tonight.

-Friday's game is on Fox Sports North Plus.