(UND Athletics/Russel Hons)
GRAND FORKS, N.D.(UND Athletics) – No. 18 North Dakota struck for a goal in each period to notch a critical 3-1 win over Omaha on Friday night from a sold-out Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.
The win moves the Fighting Hawks (19-13-2, 14-8-1 NCHC) into the driver’s seat for a home ice position in the NCHC Quarterfinals, needing just two points in Saturday’s finale to secure a hosting spot for the postseason.
NoDak received goals from forwards Carter Wilkie (8), Sacha Boisvert (15) and Dylan James (14) in the win, with Boisvert also notching an assist to tally multiple points. Sophomore defenseman Jake Livanavage also dished out a pair of helpers for his seventh multi-point game of the year.
Graduate student goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter was at his best once again, finishing with 27 saves on 28 shots against to earn his 16th win of the season. The Marlton, N.J., native has allowed two goals or fewer in five of his last eight starts and has gone 6-2-0 in that stretch.
It was a slow start in the first period for the hosts, but eventually UND broke through in the final six minutes of the frame when Wilkie muscled home a loose puck in the crease to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The Hawks extended the lead to 2-0 late in the middle frame, as Boisvert made it five straight games with a goal off a slick feed from Abram Wiebe to double the advantage heading into the final 20 minutes.
Omaha got on the board just past the midway point of the third, but Semptimphelter and the rest of the Hawks held firm before James potted an empty netter in the final second to secure the 3-1 victory.
North Dakota will go for the weekend sweep on Saturday night at 6:07 p.m. from the Ralph. The contest will air on Midco Sports, NCHC.tv and the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.
Postgame Notes
- Jayden Perron and Dane Montgomery returned to the lineup
- UND snaps a three-game skid against Omaha, improving to 37-22-2 all-time
- Sacha Boisvert scored for the fifth straight game and leads the team with 15 goals
- The rookie also notched an assist for his seventh multi-point game this season
- Jake Livanavage had two assists for his seventh multi-point game as well this season
- Livanavage now has the most points by UND defense in his first two seasons since 1999-01 (Travis Roche)
- T.J. Semptimphelter improved to 6-2-0 over his last eight starts, stopping 27-of-28
- Dylan James scored his 14th goal of the season to give him 15 points in the last 16 games
- Ben Strinden recorded an assist to give him nine points in his last 10 games
- Carter Wilkie has seven points in his last five contests, scoring his eighth of the season
- UND improved to 15-1-1 this season when leading after two
- The Hawks also are 6-7-1 this year when getting outshot
- Neither team was called for a penalty tonight for the first time since Feb. 22, 1997 vs. Alaska Anchorage
- UND us now 9-7-1 at home this season and has won four straight at REA
- NoDak is 15-2-0 this season when scoring first
- UND finished with 14 blocked shots, with Caleb MacDonald blocking four
- The Hawks are 14-7-2 since Nov. 16
- NoDak improved to 2-6-1 on Friday night since 2025 began and 8-8-1 this season
- Faceoffs were 26-21 UND, with Cameron Berg leading the way at 9-5
How It Happened
First Period
14:08 | UND – Carter Wilkie (8) from Jake Livanavage (23) and Sacha Boisvert (12)
Second Period
18:12 | UND – Boisvert (15) from Abram Wiebe (19) and Jayden Jubenvill (4)
Third Period
11:36 | OMA – Myles Hillman (5)
20:00 | UND – Dylan James (14, EN) from Ben Strinden (8) and Livanavage (24)
Game Recap: Men’s Hockey | | Alec Stocker Johnson, FightingHawks.com
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