#5 M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A Will Be Too Much for #14 North Dakota

Even as the the tribe of Sioux Indians fight to keep the mascot on the plains of the hockey landscape, the University of North Dakota is in need of some fighting of its own. 

Literally. It's time for the ever-interesting brawl fest against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

This series always turns out to be a hard-hitting, bench-clearing fight-instigating series. In 2008 these teams faced-off with at least three fights, with the capstone being the fight during the handshake line. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpbXDFfeyKs

#15 North Dakota makes the trek across the border to take on their rival #5 Minnesota. The Gophers hold a strong challenge for NoDak, with Minnesota coming into the game at 7-1-0. The Fighting Sioux have struggled a bit this year with a 3-4-1 record. 

The biggest challenge this weekend will be finding a way to shut down an incredible Gopher offense. Minnesota has scored 38 goals in eight games, averaging 5.375 goals per game. This is compared to North Dakota's average of 1.727 goals per game.

North Dakota has simply not had a good start to the year. They have struggled against nearly every team they have played, while Minnesota has blown teams out. The Gophers also have an impressive sweep of defending national champion #14 Minnesota-Duluth by two scores of 5-4. North Dakota on the other hand, was swept this year by then #17 Wisconsin, and has also lost a hard game to #1 Boston College by a score of 6-2. 

I would be surprised if North Dakota gets a win this weekend. Minnesota is too strong.

Prediction: Minnesota 4-2; Minnesota 4-0.