GRAND FORKS, N.D. – For the second straight month, a pair of North Dakota student-athletes were honored by the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) for their play in December, as
Jake Livanavage and Jan Špunar each took home monthly awards the league office announced on Monday.
Livanavage was named NCHC Defenseman of the Month for the first time in his career after helping lead North Dakota to a perfect 4-0-0 record in December. The Phoenix, Ariz., native paced all NCHC defensemen with five points, 1.25 points per game and a plus-4 rating, as he recorded a point in each of UND's four games, while also sitting tied for first with two goals and three assists among conference blueliners.
His best weekend came at St. Cloud State on Dec. 5-6, as he notched a trio of points in the sweep. Livanavage dished out an assist in the first game, before scoring two goals in a 4-2 victory the next night, including the short-handed game-winner to earn him NCHC Defenseman of the Week honors. The following weekend, Livanavage handed out an assist in both games of a sweep of Omaha on Dec. 12-13.
Livanavage finished December averaging 25:16 time on ice, which was second among NCHC blueliners last month, while firing six shots on goal. In addition to his performance with North Dakota, he also helped the U.S. Collegiate Selects earn a silver medal in their debut at the Spengler Cup at the end of December, recording an assist while logging heavy minutes for the college all-star team in Switzerland. In NCAA play this season, Livanavage is now fourth among NCHC defensemen with 18 points (3g/15a) in 20 games.
Špunar earned NCHC Rookie of the Month honors for the first time as well after backstopping NoDak to three wins in his three starts during the month. His three wins during December tied for first in the NCHC while his .934 save percentage and 2.01 goals against average were second – having allowed only six goals during those three contests.
The Czechia native started both games in a sweep at St. Cloud State to start the month on Dec. 5-6. After turning aside 20 shots in a 4-3 win in the opener, he racked up a career-high 35 saves in a 4-2 victory the next night. The following Friday on Dec. 12, the freshman compiled 30 more saves in a 4-1 win over Omaha to wrap up his month. That was enough to earn him NCHC Rookie of the Week honors.
Špunar is now a perfect 10-0-0 on the season, while he leads the NCHC with both a .936 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against average so far on the year.
North Dakota will jump back into NCHC play with a trip to Colorado Springs to battle Colorado College beginning on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. (CT) on NCHC.tv and the Fighting Hawks Radio Network.
For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.
