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. He stayed home because he wasn't feeling well. 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 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.