UND Rallies Late, Defeats Colorado College 3-2 in Thrilling Hockey Showdown

The No. 4 ranked University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks come from behind to beat Colorado College Tigers in a hard-fought conference matchup.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:11am

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting the UND vs Colorado College hockey game, with the players' movements and the puck's trajectory shown in a geometric, multi-perspective style. Vibrant colors of the team uniforms and the arena environment create a dynamic, energetic visual representation of the thrilling matchup.The UND Fighting Hawks' dramatic comeback victory over the Colorado College Tigers showcases the intense, fast-paced action of college hockey.Colorado Springs Today

In a highly anticipated matchup between the No. 4 ranked University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks and the Colorado College Tigers, the visitors from North Dakota rallied late to defeat the home team 3-2 in a thrilling college hockey showdown. The game featured end-to-end action, stellar goaltending, and a dramatic comeback by UND in the final period to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win is a significant boost for the Fighting Hawks as they continue their push for a top seed in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, the loss is a tough blow for the Tigers, who were hoping to pull off an upset on home ice and improve their postseason positioning in the competitive NCHC conference.

The details

Colorado College jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first period when Drew Montgomery scored on a breakaway. The Tigers then extended their advantage to 2-1 in the second period on a goal by Ryan Alexander. However, UND refused to go away, and in the third period, Ellis Rickwood and Will Zellers scored to complete the comeback and give the Fighting Hawks the 3-2 victory.

  • The game was played on April 12, 2026 at 7 p.m. Mountain Time.
  • UND scored the game-winning goal with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation.

The players

Ellis Rickwood

A forward for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks who scored the game-tying goal in the third period.

Will Zellers

A forward for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks who scored the game-winning goal in the third period.

Drew Montgomery

A forward for the Colorado College Tigers who scored the opening goal of the game in the first period.

Ryan Alexander

A forward for the Colorado College Tigers who scored the go-ahead goal in the second period.

Jan Špunar

The starting goaltender for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks who made several key saves to keep his team in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to come back and win this game. We knew it was going to be a battle, and I'm proud of the way our team responded in the third period.”

— Brad Berry, Head Coach, University of North Dakota

“It's a tough loss, but our guys played their hearts out. We had our chances, but UND was able to capitalize on their opportunities in the end.”

— Mike Haviland, Head Coach, Colorado College

What’s next

The Fighting Hawks will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a top seed in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, the Tigers will need to regroup and focus on their remaining conference games as they aim to secure a favorable postseason position.

The takeaway

This thrilling matchup between two of the top teams in college hockey showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in the NCHC conference. The Fighting Hawks' ability to rally late and secure the victory demonstrates their resilience and determination, while the Tigers' strong performance highlights the depth of talent in the league.