GRAND FORKS — UND did what it does this season, winning yet another game in the third period on Saturday.

This time, it was freshman Jack Kernan who broke a 4-4 tie with 6:20 to go and lifted the Fighting Hawks to a 6-4 win over St. Cloud State.

Here are five takeaways.

Senior tribute was a bit different this year

UND held its tribute to seniors Bennett Zmolek, Ben Strinden, Dylan James, Ellis Rickwood, Tyler Young and Gibson Homer after the game. UND played a video on the center-ice scoreboard, showing pictures and videos of the players. Then, the six of them took a lap and gave a stick salute at center ice.

The senior tribute had a much different feeling than last season's.

A year ago, we already knew the seniors had played their final game in Ralph Engelstad Arena. And let's be honest, it felt like the end of the season was near, too.

UND won a quarterfinal series at Omaha, but was bounced by eventual national champion Western Michigan in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff. They missed the NCAA tournament and were into the offseason 13 days after Senior Night.

On Saturday night, it wasn't so much a goodbye to the seniors as it was a celebration. There were far more laughs than tears.

We already know the Fighting Hawks will be back at home in two weeks. And if things break right, they could be at home the week after that, and the week after that.

They're going to be in the NCAA tournament, too.

Last year, the ride was ending on Senior Night. This year, it's just heating up.

SCSU deserved better fates vs. UND this season

UND has held an even-strength expected goals advantage in 22 of its last 27 games.

The five times UND did not: vs. Omaha, St. Cloud State, St. Cloud State, St. Cloud State and St. Cloud State.

The Fighting Hawks somehow went 3-0-1 against the Huskies, despite being outplayed at even strength in all four games, according to advanced analytics.

"I thought St. Cloud played great all weekend," UND defenseman Abram Wiebe said. "They played a really hard-checking style game, especially their top line. I thought they were good all weekend. I thought we did a really good job tonight, though, containing that line and getting back to our identity."

UND started Saturday's game strong, outshooting the Huskies 18-9 in the opening period and building a lead. But St. Cloud State got stronger as the game went along.

UND scored on two of its three shots on goal in the third.

"It was one of those ones that wasn't pretty, but the guys stuck with it and found a way," UND coach Dane Jackson said. "I thought overall, we defended pretty hard and we made a big play when we had to."

Gibson Homer gets the call in net

UND started Homer instead of Jan Špunar for the series finale.

Jackson said the coaching staff wanted to get Homer back in — and thought about doing it last weekend against Miami.

"Part of it was Senior Night," Jackson said. "He's been such a good teammate. We have confidence in him. Part of it was that. We know he can go in and have a good effort. We believe in him. He obviously had a huge response. He didn't have a ton of saves, but seems like as usual when he's in there, they get some quality chances."

Homer stopped 22 St. Cloud State shots to win his fifth straight.

He made a couple of massive stops in crunch time. With the game tied 4-4, St. Cloud State top-line winger Barrett Hall was left alone on top of the crease on the power play. He tried to deke Homer, but the goalie denied him.

Then, he preserved the win by making a tremendous leg save on Nolan Roed, who made a backhand move on top of the crease with 4:15 to go as UND led 5-4.

"He rose to the challenge in a game that was not an easy game to play," Jackson said.

Homer's father, Kenzie, was in the building for Senior Night.

Who shut down SCSU's top line?

How important is St. Cloud State's top line?

The Huskies are now 0-9 this season when Tyson Gross does not have a point, 16-8-1 when he does.

UND held the Huskies' big top line at bay in Saturday's series finale. The stat line for Gross, Hall and Austin Burnevik: no goals, no points, minus-6, six shots on goal.

That's a huge turnaround from the series opener, where they combined for two goals, four points, plus-6 and 12 shots on goal.

The forward line of James, Ollie Josephson and Cody Croal was put together for the series finale with the purpose of going head-to-head with the Gross line.

"I thought they did a great job," Jackson said. "Obviously, their top line is outstanding. They play hard. They play fast. They move the puck so quickly. So, we really tasked Ollie's line of trying to shut them down, trying to limit them. Overall, they did a nice job. They were out there for most shifts against them.

"Sometimes, you forget Ollie is a freshman. He plays with so much maturity and poise. He competes so hard."

Jackson also said assistant coach Dillon Simpson tried to deploy defensemen Jake Livanavage, Bennett Zmolek and E.J. Emery as much as possible against that unit.

"We didn't shut them down, but we limited them," Jackson said.

Yes, another close game

Are you used to this yet, UND fans?

The Fighting Hawks played another down-to-the-wire game Saturday.

In 20 of UND's last 23 games, it has been within a goal in the third period. UND is 18-4-1 in those 23 games.

It's safe to say that UND is comfortable in tight games.

"You have to be in our league," Jackson said. "I don't care how good your team is. You're always going to be playing in tight games in the NCHC. That's just how it goes. You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Our guys know that puck management, small races, small battles, stopping in your spot, head on a swivel, stick on the ice. . . all those little, small details about how you play winning hockey, they are very, very important. If you don't do them well, they usually cost you. We're continuing to work, grow and get better. Obviously, there are parts we've got to clean up."

Quotable

Jackson on why he moved Kernan up the lineup during the game: "He had been playing well. So, we put him up with that top line for some shifts, and obviously, he responded. His shot is so good. He's such a big, powerful, strong skater."

Wiebe on UND's three-goal first period: "Especially in The Ralph, getting goals early is huge for us. It builds a lot of momentum. That’s something I think we’ve struggled with the past couple weekends."

Kernan on the third period: "It was kind of a neutral zone battle, a lot of just advancing zones on both sides. Nobody was trying to lose the game with a shift. It was going back and forth. Just to get that one was really nice. It was a hard, hard-fought battle."

Bonus takes UND scored three goals in the first period for the second time this season. It also did it on Dec. 12 against Omaha. Wiebe has 11 points in the last eight games. He's had multi-point games in four of his last five games. He had a goal, an assist and a plus-3 rating Saturday. Emery had his second multi-point game of the season. Between-the-benches cameraman Marv Leier wore a Roseau Rams jersey for Saturday's game. There were former Rams all over the building — St. Cloud State forward Noah Urness, Husky defenseman Thor Byfuglien, linesman Tyler Landman, broadcaster Erik Fabian and UND deputy athletic director Erik Martinson to name a few. UND has 51 points in the NCHC standings. It will win the NCHC outright if it gets to 53. It can get up to 57. UND's other Penrose-winning teams finished with 50 (2014-15), 59 (2015-16), 56 (2019-20), 54 (2020-21), 53 (2021-22) and 49 (2023-24).]]>

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