UND shuts out St. Thomas with third straight defensive performance

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Last week was no fluke.

UND does, in fact, appear to be a good defensive hockey team.

The Fighting Hawks beat St. Thomas 2-0 on Friday night in Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, holding a third consecutive opponent to under 20 shots on goal.

Will Zellers scored in the first period, Anthony Menghini scored in the third and UND extended its winning streak to three games.

"I thought we played a real mature game," UND coach Dane Jackson said. "I thought our puck management was good. I thought we continued to check and track and do a good job of making it hard on entry. . . just a lot of selfless plays out there."

UND (6-3-1) dominated puck possession for large stretches of Friday night's game.

When the Tommies did push, Špunar was there.

He made a terrific save on Czech countryman Jakub Altrichter, moving from right to left to deny a one-timer attempt in the third period. He stoned St. Thomas defenseman Mason Poolman from on top of the crease and denied Attila Lippai's follow-up a few minutes later.

The one time when Špunar was caught out of the net in the third period, UND defenseman Brasen Boser saved the day by blocking Justin Kipkie's attempt.

"Most important, we got the W," Špunar said. "Shutout is nice. I'm happy for myself and my team. But the win is more important."

After allowing 15 goals in three games in late October, the Fighting Hawks have had a defensive renaissance.

They held Western Michigan, one of the NCAA's top-scoring offenses, to three goals and 35 shots in a two-game series last weekend in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Then, UND came back with a similar effort Friday against a young St. Thomas forward group that has struggled to finish plays at times this season.

"When we're allowing less than 20 shots a game, it's making our jobs as forwards easy, playing in the O-zone the whole time," Zellers said. "The 'D' are moving pucks up quick. It's making the game way faster and way easier."

Nick Wosika / St. Thomas athletics

UND played with the lead for almost the entire game Friday.

Zellers scored just 2:04 into the first period. UND defenseman Ethan MacKenzie launched a point shot that hit Zellers' foot in the slot.

"Lucky enough, it came right to me and didn't go anywhere," Zellers said. "It was right on my stick, so I was able to turn around, and those ones are tap-ins."

Zellers, who is from nearby Maple Grove, fired it past St. Thomas goaltender Will Ingemann (29 saves) for his fourth goal of the season.

UND extended the lead early in the third. A dump-in got past St. Thomas captain Chase Cheslock on the end wall and UND's Ollie Josephson picked it up in the corner. Josephson sent a pass between three Tommie defenders to Menghini in the left circle.

"We've been working on getting to the soft areas in the O-zone," Menghini said. "I just found a soft area and Ollie made a great play and found me."

Nick Wosika / St. Thomas athletics

First win at Anderson

UND won its first-ever game in Lee and Penny Anderson Arena, the one-year-old venue on the University of St. Thomas campus.

The Fighting Hawks also ended a three-game St. Thomas winning streak. The Tommies fell to 4-5.

It wasn't easy, though. — Despite UND's prolonged offensive zone shifts, St. Thomas defenders were strong in front of Ingemann and made it difficult for UND to finish plays. The Tommies blocked 15 UND shots.

"That will be our challenge tomorrow — to try to have the same puck management, the same kind of check-to-score mentality, but get a little better offensively to try to execute on those plays," Jackson said, "because it's not easy to get to the inside there."

• Nick Wosika / St. Thomas athletics
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• Brad Elliott Schlossman

Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald's circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at [email protected].

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