Strong defensive effort nets UND a tie against Western Michigan

Russell Hons / UND athletics By Brad Elliott Schlossman November 06, 2026 at 11:00 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? GRAND FORKS — UND coach Dane Jackson said after Friday night's 2-2 tie with Western Michigan that the coaching staff judges the performance, not the result. That explains why he had plenty of good things to say Friday. ADVERTISEMENT A UND team that had allowed 15 goals in the last three games stifled the nation's No. 1 scoring offense throughout the series opener. After Western Michigan's Adam Benák scored on the first shot, less than a minute into the game, the Broncos registered just five shots on goal — and only two at even-strength — over the next 43 minutes, 43 seconds. Some of the numbers needed a double take. Consider: Western Michigan finished with 17 shots on goal, its second-lowest total under sixth-year head coach Pat Ferschweiler and its lowest in almost four years to the day. The only time in the last six seasons that Western Michigan had fewer shots was Nov. 12, 2022, at St. Cloud State (12 shots on goal in a 4-1 loss). Western Michigan registered seven shots on goal at 5-on-5. Prior to Friday night, Western Michigan's lowest shot total this season was 29 at Michigan. Broncos forward William Whitelaw was held off the scoresheet for the first time in eight games this season. Whitelaw entered the night averaging two points per game. "Our checking and our willingness to manage the puck was extremely good," Jackson said. "Really proud of the guys about how we competed, how we managed the puck, how we checked and worked as a five-man unit. Excellent." UND (4-3-1) was in position to win the game in regulation thanks to a power-play goal by forward Hudson Malinoski in the first period and an even-strength tally by defenseman Brasen Boser in the second. But Western Michigan had three consecutive power plays in the final 10:33 of the game and converted the second one on a Ty Henricks tip. The game-tying goal came with 4:38 left. "The (penalty kill) was good," Jackson said. "We had a lot of them." ADVERTISEMENT Jackson said "no comment" in his postgame press conference about the officiating, but later could be heard venting to an athletic department administrator in the hallway. Western Michigan (6-1-1) grabbed an extra point in National Collegiate Hockey Conference standings by winning the shootout. "I thought it was a step in the right direction," said UND forward Ollie Josephson, who had an assist. "I thought we played well. I think we're happy with our performance. Just some little things to tune up and we'll be ready to go tomorrow." The series finale is scheduled for 6:07 p.m. Saturday in Ralph Engelstad Arena. "We'll just continue to build," Jackson said. "We believe in our players. We believe in the character of the guys we have. If we do the day-to-day things the right way, by the end of the year, we think we'll be one of the best teams." Russell Hons / UND athletics The biggest regret for UND was not finishing off more plays to extend the lead — especially in the second period. The Fighting Hawks outshot the Broncos 13-3 in the middle frame. ADVERTISEMENT "I thought we had quite a few chances to make some plays," Jackson said. "We've got to have a little more poise in those big moments, but it's tough to nitpick on that. That's an area we have to grow in a little bit and have a little more head up and more finishing ability. But it's hard to critique that. I'm really just proud of the guys about their competitive level." UND also had a chance to win the game at the end. Western Michigan's Zack Sharp was called for holding Will Zellers with 52 seconds left in regulation, but the Fighting Hawks did nothing with the power play. UND goaltender Jan Špunar finished with 15 saves. Western Michigan's Quentin Miller stopped 24 of 26. "Every game we've been better," Malinoski said. "If we play like that and stay out of the box, I think we're a hell of a team and the results will come." Russell Hons / UND athletics Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS UND SPORTS UND FIGHTING HAWKS HOCKEY SUBSCRIBERS ONLY By 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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