POTSDAM, N.Y. – No. 8 North Dakota rebounded with a 1-0 victory over Clarkson on Saturday night from Cheel Arena in Potsdam, N.Y. to secure the series split.
 
It was a pair of rookies leading the way for UND (4-2-0), with freshman defenseman Keaton Verhoeff tallying the game's only goal on the power play in the second while and freshman goaltender Jan Špunar making 17 saves in his first-collegiate start to record the shutout.
 
The win also snaps a long losing streak in New York for UND, giving the program its first win in the Empire State since Dec. 31, 2016 at Union – a stretch of seven straight losses.
 
After a scoreless first period, North Dakota finally broke the ice just 94 seconds into the middle frame when Verhoeff sniped home his third goal of the season on the UND man advantage to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
 
UND had some more chances as the period wore, including a post from Ellis Rickwood, but the Fighting Hawks could not create any further separation heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation
 
Špunar and the UND skaters held down the fort in the third period, with the freshman netminder making five saves to secure the shutout and the series split.
 
North Dakota returns home next weekend to open NCHC play against Minnesota Duluth on Friday night at 7:07 p.m. from Ralph Engelstad Arena.
 
Postgame Notes 

• UND drops to 7-1-0 all-time against Clarkson and 2-1-0 in Potsdam
• Jan Špunar made his collegiate debut in net for UND
• Tyler Young also made his UND debut at forward
• UND wore its black jerseys for the first time this season
• Keaton Verhoeff scored his third goal of the season and first on the power play
• Špunar recorded his first-collegiate shutout in the win, making 17 saves
• UND snaps a seven-game losing streak in New York dating back to 2016
• UND improves to 1-1-0 this season on Saturday
• NoDak finished with a 28-17 shot advantage
• UND was 1-for-6 on the power play while Clarkson was 0-for-4
• Faceoffs were 40-31 in favor of UND, with Ellis Rickwood pacing all skaters at 14-8

How It Happened 

First Period:                                                     
No scoring

Second Period: 
01:34 | UND – Keaton Verhoeff (3) from Jake Livanavage (3) and Cole Reschny (3)

Third Period:
No scoring

For more information on North Dakota hockey, visit FightingHawks.com or follow on social media @UNDmhockey.