GRAND FORKS, N.D.—Sophomore Brock Nelson scored twice in the last 6:12 of the game to lift North Dakota to a 4-3 win over Air Force Friday at the Ice Breaker Tournament.
Nelson netted the tying goal for North Dakota (1-0-0) at 13:48 of the third period and got the game-winner at 15:15. He also assisted on Corban Knight’s goal that opened the scoring early in the first period.
But Air Force (0-1-0) responded with three of the next four scores to go up 3-2 after two periods. Casey Kleisinger, Stephen Carew and George Michalke had goals for the Falcons.
“We didn’t have a good second period and Air Force did,” North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol said. “They have several grade-A opportunities. We had maybe one or two.”
Knight added an assist and Danny Kristo had two assists for UND, which is unbeaten against Air Force in four games.
“The guys we need to make plays stepped up and made plays,” Hakstol said.
The game was evenly played with North Dakota enjoying a 26-25 edge in shots on goal. UND was 1-for-3 on the power play and Air Force was 0-for-3.
Aaron Dell made 22 saves for UND and Jason Torf had 22 saves for the Falcons.
Third-ranked North Dakota will play fifth-ranked Boston College in Saturday’s tournament title game.
