GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota freshman goaltender Jan Špunar was named NCHC Rookie of the Week, as announced by the league office on Tuesday morning. It marks the first weekly honor for Špunar in his collegiate career.
 
The rookie closed out his first half with another strong performance, finishing with 30 saves on 31 shots against to help UND record a 4-1 win over Omaha in Friday's series opener en route to an eventual sweep.
 
Špunar came up large in the early moments of the game, stopping all 12 shots he saw in the opening 20 minutes while the Fighting Hawks struck for a trio of goals on the other end to build a 3-0 lead after one period. He was sharp over the game's final 40 minutes as well to tally his third 30-plus save performance in the last four starts.
 
The Olomouc, Czechia, native made history with the win, as he became the first UND goaltender in program history to earn a win in each of his first nine starts. Špunar also moved into a tie for fourth all-time at UND for the longest unbeaten streak to begin a career at 9-0-0.
 
Špunar has consistently been one of the nation's top goaltenders through the opening half of the season, as he ranks fourth nationally and first in the NCHC with a 1.67 goals against average and tied for seventh in the NCAA and tops in the conference with a .934 save percentage. He is also one of only two goalies nationally to be undefeated – joining Dartmouth's Roan Clarke (6-0-0).
 
North Dakota will return to action following the Christmas break against Mercyhurst for a series beginning on Friday, Jan. 2 at 7:07 p.m. from Ralph Engelstad Arena.
 
For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.