Nov. 5—GRAND FORKS — UND forward Josh Zakreski had successful surgery Tuesday after suffering a lower-body injury in practice last week.

Fighting Hawks coach Dane Jackson is expecting Zakreski’s absence to last a couple of months.

“Obviously, we’re all pulling for him, but he’s going to have a lengthy rehab,” Jackson said. “We know he’ll work hard at it. It’s going to be a while, but he’s going to have a good attitude and he’ll have all the best care.”

Zakreski was off to a great start to his freshman season.

The winger from Saskatoon, Sask., scored a goal and had three points in six games, while registering a plus-3 rating.

He climbed up the depth chart into a spot on Ellis Rickwood’s right wing during UND’s split against Clarkson.

Zakreski was slated to be back in that slot for the home series last weekend against Minnesota Duluth, but he went down near the end of practice Thursday.

Without Zakreski, UND moved freshman forward Jack Kernan to Rickwood’s wing.

Kernan set up a key goal during Friday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Bulldogs. UND won the series finale 5-1 on Saturday.

“I thought his pace was really good,” Jackson said of Kernan. “I noticed him driving the net. He had some great backchecks, some great pressure on forechecks. I thought he was playing a lot more direct, a lot more inside. I thought he was a real positive and did a great job. That’s the response we’re looking for.”

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Where: Baxter Arena.

Radio: The Fox (96.1 FM).

Stream: NCHChockey.com.