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. 

        

UND Hockey: The Bubbles Are Back

Photo Credits: Leighton Chamblee, UND Hockey team. On Tuesday, F'n Hawks Talk tweeted this on X, "Is that a bubble I spot?!". Apparently, there are a few fans who are really excited about seeing players wear the bubble face mask (some people call them fish bowls). This year's UND hockey team has two new players who wear the bubble: senior Ellis Rickwood and freshman Will Zellers.  

The logic is that the last time UND won a national championship, there was a player who wore the bubble, forward Colton Sanderson. Is this just luck? Who knows? Okay, there was a 16-year hiatus between the 2000 and 2016 titles. Looking back to the 1999-2000 team, Wes Dorey, Jeff Panzer, Ryan Bayda, Kyle Radke, Brad DePauw, and Tim Skarperude are a few players who come to mind who wore the bubble. Mind you, it was 25 years ago, and I may have missed a player or two. 

Is that a bubble I spot?!#LGH | #UNDproud pic.twitter.com/FQsKOMCFPm

— F’n Hawks Talk (@fnhawkstalk) September 29, 2025

You want some good memories. Watch the video embedded below. I don't think the UND hockey team won because of their headgear; they won because they were a well-coached and talented team that played well. They were fast and solid defensively, and they could skate up and down the ice, hitting everything that moved. They were extraordinary. They were a very special team.