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

 

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.