GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND Athletics)– No. 4 North Dakota struck four times in the second period en route to a 5-1 exhibition win over Manitoba on Saturday night from Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Five-different Fighting Hawks found the back of the scoresheet while Drew DeRidder and Kaleb Johnson combined for 11 saves to polish off a strong opening performance from the hosts despite a shortened lineup.

Trailing 1-0 midway through the first, Griffin Ness knotted the game with a goal off a rebound to send the teams to the locker room tied after 20 minutes. Just 21 seconds into the middle stanza, Jake Schmaltz cashed in on a rebound goal of his own to put the Hawks in front, 2-1, and sparked a four-goal period.

Dylan James, making his collegiate debut, wired a shot past goaltender Brett Murphy off a face-off win to double the lead, 3-1, before Tyler Kleven struck on a slick move to the net less than a minute later and Chris Jandric put the finishing touches on the offensive frame with a goal on a 2-on-0 to build a 5-1 advantage.

UND played a majority of the final period on the disadvantage, killing off a trio of Manitoba power play opportunities to preserve the 5-1 victory.

North Dakota opens the regular season next Friday against Holy Cross at 7:07 p.m. from Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Postgame Notes 

• Chris Jandric, Griffin Ness and Tyler Kleven were named the game’s three stars.
• UND improves to 22-0 against Manitoba in exhibition contests and 27-1-0 all-time.
• Jandric led all skaters with two points, potting a goal and an assist.
• NoDak was forced to only dress 20 players, one short of the standard for a game.
• UND held a 42-12 shot advantage, holding the Bisons to under five in each period.
• Tyler Kleven had eight shots on goal to lead everyone.
• Kaleb Johnson made five saves in 20 minutes of work.

How It Happened  
First Period  
9:25 | UM – Mitch Dyck wrists a shot from the point to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead on their first shot
12:59 | UND – Griffin Ness makes a move around the goalie on a loose puck in the crease to knot the game at 1-1

Second Period 
0:21 | UND – Jake Schmaltz buries a rebound off a Matteo Costantini shot to give NoDak its first lead

13:25 | UND – Dylan James snaps a shot past Murphy following a Ben Strinden

14:16 | UND – Tyler Kleven reaches the bottom of the right circle and snipes it over Murphy’s glove

17:58 | UND – Chris Jandric makes it 5-1 Hawks on a 2-on-0 play with Gavin Hain 

Game Recap: Men’s Hockey | 10/1/2022 9:51:00 PM | Alec Stocker Johnson, FightingHawks.com