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. 

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.