UND Hockey: Some Good, Some Bad

While UND celebrated a whiteout on Saturday night, the whole weekend was blizzard-like conditions. Yes, it's the dog days of winter. The final stretch run. There are 10 NCHC conference games remaining in the 2025-26 season, and the UND Hockey team is sitting in first place of the NCHC standings, five points clear of Denver.

How did we get here?

Friday night, NODAK took it to the Pioneers, shutting them out 5-0. The game wasn't as close as the scoreboard; UND manhandled the Pioneers. UND held DU to 18 shots on goal, and Jan Špunar recorded his third shutout of the season. It could've been 7-0 or 8-0, if not for the Denver goalie Quentin Miller.

Three players had multi-point games: Cole Reschny (1g-1a–2pts), Anthony Menghini (2g-0a–2pts),  Tyler Young (0g-2a–2pts). 

On Saturday night, it was a little different story. At the 14:09 mark of the first period, the Pioneers took an early 1-0 lead with a goal from Kristian Epperson. Three and a half minutes later, Dylan James tied the game with his 13th goal of the season. 

In the second period, Jake Livanavage scored his fourth goal of the season to give UND a brief 2-1 lead. Four minutes and 10 seconds later, Eric Pohlkamp scored a beautiful goal from the point. Spunar never had a chance because a Denver forward was screening him. After his goal, I tweeted this: The San Jose Sharks are drooling after seeing that goal by Denver D-Man Eric Pohlkamp, game tied. 2-2. 

At the 11:19 mark of the third period, Denver would score the game-winning goal on the power play with a goal from James Reeder. UND pushed late but couldn't get another shot past the DU goalie Miller. 

While fans will wonder what could've been if UND had gotten the series sweep, UND is 18-5-0, and last season, didn't win their 18th game till March 1, 2025. That team missed the NCAA playoffs; this season, UND sits at three in the NPI Rankings, barring a total nuclear meltdown, will be in the NCAA playoffs. 

On Friday night, there was a buzz in the arena. The place was hopping, and people seemed legitimately excited about this hockey team. Yes, I believe there is ground for optimism. I think this team could end up in Vegas. On a side note, I was shooting photos and got hit by a Keaton Verhoeff puck that was deflected into the stands. My first game puck.

 

Who’s Hot

Anthony Menghini is starting to heat up. He has seven points (3g-4a—7pts) in the last 10 games.

“We knew that he could score,” head coach Dane Jackson said. “He's got an elite shot, and we saw him score against other teams and us in the NCHC last year.”

Through 14 games, freshman goalie Jan Špunar is (12-2-0 1.64 GAA, .927 SV%) and has three shutouts.

Freshman Cole Reschny is now the UND team leader in points, in 20 games, he’s scored (4g-18a—22 pts). He missed four games while playing for Team Canada at the World Juniors. This past weekend against Denver, he scored (1g-3a—4pts).

Since missing five games due to an injury, senior forward Ellis Rickwood has scored (4g-8a—12pts) in the last nine games. He also has five multi-point games this season. Rickwood has been lights out in the faceoff dot; he's won 60.8 percent of his faceoffs. 

The Rickwood Factor

 

One of the bigger moves of the off-season was the acquisition of Ellis Rickwood. The senior forward from Brantford, Ontario, has been a big factor in UND’s success. He plays big minutes (16:10 TOI/PG) and takes key draws in crucial moments of the game. In November, he was hurt and missed five games. Upon is return to the lineup, Rickwood has scored (2g-8a—10pts), and scored (1g-5a—6pts) against Mercyhurst.

What was it like for Rickwood to join a new team as one of the older guys?

“It was a hard decision for me, but I knew I was always a better player when I was comfortable in my spot, Rickwood said. “Right when I came in the summer, I didn’t hold back. I just started chirping guys, getting into guys, and that summer program really helped. Not only for me, but for the young guys, it felt like we had known each other for a long time by the start of the training camp.

“Yeah, that was a big thing for me. I didn’t want to hold back. I wanted to be myself. There’s nothing left out of this year. In my senior year, I got to leave it on the table. It was just that mentality to give it all I got. And yeah, that’s worked out so far.”

Coach Jackson was asked how he ended up recruiting Rickwood when he entered the portal.

“I remember when he was playing in Victoria, he was a big, strong, good player,” Jackson said. “He still had rough edges. He was a younger guy, but you kind of saw the hockey sense. I still had his number in my phone from when we talked to their coaches years ago. When we saw him go in there, we called on the first day.

“He’s a really good hockey player, but he’s also a really good teammate and a neat person. He’s a guy who just fits right into our room and has been a huge addition on the ice, but, as importantly, as a culture and a leader. He’s a well-liked teammate. He comes and competes every day, and he drives things with how he does things.”

One thing is certain: Rickwood has been a valuable addition to the UND hockey team.  

Check out Rickwood's goal on Saturday night to open the scoring for the UND hockey team.  

What a pass and what a finish! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/K1qzGsaqgh

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) January 4, 2026

Merry Christmas from Goon's World

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and thanks for reading. Recently, Goon's World went over seven million page views. So thank you to all the folks who clicked the link and read over the years. Recently, I bought a new lens for my camera, so you will see an improvement in the photos on the blog. You can check out my first photos with the new lens from the first game of the Omaha-UND series. 

I usually take pictures on the Friday night of a home series. You can look at those by clicking the pages listed above. 

What a difference a year makes. Since November first, UND is 10-1-0 in its last 11 games and 14-4-0 (.777) overall. Last year at this time, the UND hockey team was 11-7-1 (.605) and had already been swept twice in the first 19 games (Denver and Cornell). Yes, the schedule gets harder in the second half of the season, but I don't think anyone expected UND to be in first place in the NCHC standings after 10 games. 

I look forward to more coverage of the UND hockey team. You can also see my work on Inside Hockey. Here's hoping that the UND hockey team makes a run in the second half of the season and goes deep into the NCAA playoffs.  

It will be interesting to see how Jake Livanavage and Abram Wiebe do in the Spengler Cup during the holiday break.  

Jake Livanavage and Abram Wiebe are eager for an opportunity to compete against professionals at the Spengler Cup. Story and a rundown of some other players who will be in Davos: https://t.co/Ir8jQESIig

— Brad Elliott Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) December 25, 2025

 

Good luck to the two UND Hockey players, EJ Emery and Will Zellers, and goalie recruit Caleb Heil for making the USA U-20 WJC hockey team.      

Say hello to the 2026 #WorldJuniors roster 🇺🇸

Roster details: https://t.co/GZVa6amhMO pic.twitter.com/JKp0ztkTen

— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 24, 2025

Finally, good luck to Keaton Verhoeff and Cole Reschny, and 2026-27 commit, Ethan Mackenzie, for making the Canadian U-20 WJC team.   Here's hoping that Team Canada and Team USA play in the World Junior Championship finals. Yes, that's four current and two future UND players in the 2026 World Junior Championship. 

Check out the 2⃣5⃣ to get us started on Boxing Day! 🇨🇦

Et voici les 2⃣5⃣ joueurs qui donneront le coup d’envoi pour le Canada au lendemain de Noël! 🇨🇦#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/XASYo43ODY

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 25, 2025

Rivalry Game? UND Runs Over Omaha, 4-1

They say that winning can be contagious. After last year's team struggled throughout the season, the 2025-26 UND hockey team has played like it has something to prove. Head coach Dane Jackson was hired to turn the program around, and the team has improved significantly so far. UND has been tenacious, hard to play against, and solid in all three zones.  

On Friday night, the UND hockey team beat the Omaha Mavericks 4-1 to improve to 13-4-0 (.764). NoDak improves to 7-2-0 in NCHC play. UND currently sits in second place in the NCHC standings. Compared with last season, UND didn't win its 13th game until February 1, 2025. 

UND has won 9 of its last 10 games and has won five in a row. They've won 11 of 13 games (.846) by four or more goals. 

UND is fifth in the nation in scoring, and their leading scorer, Ben Strinden (11g-8a--19pts), is ranked 27th nationally. Their second leading scorer, Cole Reschny (2g-16a--18pts), is ranked 34th nationally. What's even more impressive, UND's power play ranks third nationally, scoring on 30.8 percent of its power plays. You see where this is going? UND is doing it while getting balanced scoring throughout the lineup. If one line gets shut down, another forward line steps up to fill the void. 

In Jan We Trust 

On Friday night, a freshman goaltender, Jan Spunar, won his ninth game of the season to improve his record to (9-0-0, 1.67 GAA and .934 SV%). On Friday, Spunar broke the UND record for the most consecutive wins to begin a career. You might ask: Who were the goaltenders tied for the old-school record? They are Eddie Belfor and Jordan Parise. Yes, that Eddie Belfor. Spunar is in good company. 

Spunar’s teammates have been impressed by their rookie goaltender's play, who has broken the school record for wins to start a career.

”It's incredible to come in as a freshman like that and be such a rock for us,” Ben Strinden said. “We're so happy for him. He's obviously a great goaltender, but he's an even better person off the ice, and it makes you want to root for a guy. We are very happy for him.”

He's been unbelievable, Ellis Rickwood said. “Just really steady, really good at keeping rebounds out, and just a rock back there. We play hard for him. He plays hard for us, and that's amazing. You don't see records broken like that too often. So congrats to him.”

“Just an incredible run, head coach Dane Jackson said. “So consistently solid and then at times spectacular, so proud of him and so impressive to see, kind of the length of time he's been able to carry that high level of play.”

Is Omaha a Rival?

Earlier today, the Omaha Mavericks hockey account tweeted this on X. This was the discussion on X today. If you were to ask me, I'd say no. Rivalry or not. The players don't like each other. There was an actual fight in the closing minutes of the third period. Andrew Strathmann and Sean Tschigerl were given five-minute majors and game disqualification penalties, meaning they will be watching from the stands on Saturday night. 

UND's coach Jackson wasn't happy with the incident at the end of the game. 

“Yeah, it was disappointing,” Jackson said. “Obviously, we’re short numbers, and they did the same thing down in Omaha. So it's disappointing that our guys are kind of standing up for themselves after they're instigating.”

Rivalry night 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮. #ForThe402 pic.twitter.com/5DCk3k1bMT

— Omaha Hockey (@OmahaHKY) December 12, 2025

 

I picked Will Zellers Scoring the OT Winner; Are Winning Lottery Tickets Next?

 

Last Saturday night, history repeated itself; for the eighth series in a row, the University of North Dakota hockey team went to overtime in one of their games against the Bemidji State Beavers. Let's set the stage. It was game two in Grand Forks, ND. As the regulation ended, the two teams were tied 1-1. 

Lightning had struck again. We got another overtime period of free hockey.  

Typically, while attending a UND hockey game, I am flanked by my good friend Virg Foss. On this particular weekend, Foss wasn't feeling well and had stayed home. He sent me a DM and asked me, "Who's your pick for the winning goal? Either team." I replied, "Zellers." Virg said, "Kernan for us and Vig for them." My reply, "We are winning this game, Virg." 

Here's why I didn't go with a pick for the Beavers: this year's UND hockey team has a killer instinct and is getting better with each week. While last year's team didn't have the mental makeup to finish games, this team thrives on adversity. On this particular night, I was lucky. Yes, I did buy a Powerball ticket this week. 

I have another prediction: Zellers is only going to get better in the second half of the season. He's got a deadly shot and is tied for the lead in goals with Ben Strinden, with nine goals. The Boston Bruins must be happy they drafted him. 

So it happened. 

Sweep vibes #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/6M3WUBO30j

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) November 30, 2025

   This week, Foss talked about our exchange in his Hawk-Eye Talk article.   

Hawk-ey Talk with Virg Foss: Pick The Winnerhttps://t.co/0cU36eN8oP#UNDproud | #LGH

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) December 5, 2025

UND's Red Hot Ben Strinden Takes Flight

 

Entering the 2025-26 season, UND senior forward Ben Strinden had never scored more than 16 points in a season. This season, Strinden has played like a player with something to prove. 

Strinden is on a heater. 

Before this season, Strinden had played in 99 games; he scored (17g-20a--37pts), and he was also a plus-17. This season, something clicked for him. After his career-high four-point game against Minnesota-Duluth, he said his late father, who passed this way this past summer, gave him inspiration.

"I really felt him with me tonight," an emotional Strinden said. "I don't think I've ever gotten four assists at any level of hockey. I think that was my dad, for sure. It was special. It's hard to put into words. I miss him every day."  

I started tearing up listening to @realbenstrinden speak about his father in the post-game. https://t.co/TRqb9GIxE4

— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) November 2, 2025

Strinden followed up that four-point effort with a three-point effort against the Omaha Mavericks. He's scored (6g-5a-11pts) in his last six games. He has four multi-point games on the season, a career-high. The next point he records will equal his career high in points from last year. Strinden leads UND with (7g-8a--15pts), and he's a plus-eight, which is second on the team in plus/minus.

Strinden's second goal against ASU was a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, UND would lose the game to the Sun Devils 4-2, but Strinden's second goal gave the team some life. 

Ben snipes it home to pull us within one! #UNDproud | #LGH pic.twitter.com/gdMUAn2Q8v

— North Dakota Hockey (@UNDmhockey) November 16, 2025

Strinden's play has caught the eye of the UND coaching staff. 

"He's such a powerful player," head coach Dane Jackson said. He plays with confidence; he's a driver. He's always going to the net. We're trying to get him out for some extra shifts because he's feeling it, and he's a dangerous player right now."

After his four-point night against the Bulldogs, his teammate Abram Wiebe was complimentary of Strinden's play. 

"He was dominant," Wiebe said. "He was everywhere on the ice. He did a good job coming into their zone and being a support option for the defenseman. He was flying all night, making plays, finding guys, and it was showing. I am really happy for him."

From what we have seen so far, Strinden has a very high ceiling. 

Forks Down, UND Blasts ASU, 5-2

 

Friday, UND looked to even the score against Arizona State. The Sun Devils were making their first visit to Ralph Engelstad Arena. Through the first three games, ASU had gotten the better of UND, winning two out of three games. 

On Friday night, things started great for UND. NoDak got off to a fast start and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, with goals from Ben Strinden and Will Zellers. 

In the second period, UND faced some adversity. With UND clinging to a 2-0 lead, the Sun Devils gained momentum, scoring a power play goal by Kyle Smolen and an even-strength goal from Lucius Cruz. The second period would end in a 2-2 tie. 

What a difference a year makes. Last year's team would have found a way to lose after the Sun Devils tied the game. That didn't happen. UND came out in the third period with a purpose. 

The game wouldn't stay tied very long. At the 1:04 mark of the third period, freshman forward Will Zellers would score his second goal of the game. For those keeping track, Zellers now leads the Hawks in goal scoring. 

Before Brian Rivers could finish announcing the Zellers' goal, senior forward Tyler Young would score his first goal of his UND career. Young would also get an assist on UND's final goal, as sophomore forward Cody Croal scored to ice the game.  

With the injury to freshman forward Jack Kernan, Young was penciled into the lineup with Mac Swanson and Ellis Rickwood. In the post-game, Young was gracious and happy to get the opportunity. This brings new meaning to the next man up. Young made the most of his opportunity. 

"This is the most special locker room I've been in," Young said. "No one's treated differently, whether you're in or you're out. You're treated the same way. You're always ready."

How did UND end recruiting the senior forward Young? 

"You have to give GM (Bryn) Chyzyk credit for that," UND head coach Dane Jackson said.

For those wondering at home, Young is the son of the former NHL player Scott Young, yes, that one, the two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. 

When you look at this UND team, all four lines are contributing. Eleven players recorded points in Friday's game. Seventeen players have scored a goal for UND this season. 

Here are the highlights from Friday's 5-2 win.