SIOUX FALLS — A green wave flooded the Denny Sanford Premier Center on Saturday night to witness something that hadn’t been done in a decade.
Goalie Jan Špunar recorded 22 saves to notch his second straight shutout in the NCAA regionals, and a crowd of 6,209 fans clad in mostly green watched the top-seeded North Dakota hockey team cruise to a 5-0 win over Quinnipiac.
The win was 10 years in the making for a Fighting Hawks program that hasn’t appeared in the Frozen Four since 2016, when they won it all in Tampa, Florida.
On Saturday night, UND delivered a complete performance to solidify its hopes of claiming another natty in two weeks in Las Vegas.
With a full student section and a lower bowl filled to about 85% capacity, the Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead through the first 20 minutes thanks to a pair of goals by Jack Kernan, and by the time Dylan James and Cole Reschny had lit the lamp in the second period to give UND a 5-0 advantage at the second intermission, the party was just getting started.
North Dakota’s Jack Kernan celebrates after scoring a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
This was a moment North Dakota fans had been waiting for a long time to witness.
In turn, they were loud and proud.
Throughout the game, the student section rained down “sieve” chants on Quinnipiac netminders Dylan Silverstein and Matej Marinov. It was a full-blown Hawks takeover, and following a rather elementary third period, the UND faithful hadn’t gone anywhere as they stuck around to take in the ensuing celebration.
“It was unreal,” Hawks defenseman Abram Wiebe said about the environment at the Denny. “Just coming out and seeing all the fans out there, it’s pretty crazy that they traveled down four and a half hours to come watch us play.
“It just shows how much they care about us, and I know they’re going to do the same in Vegas.”
North Dakota fans celebrate after the Fighting Hawks scored a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
They certainly will, and on behalf of Sioux Falls, we were certainly glad to have them.
There’s no doubt that the NCAA regional provides a nice little bump for the local economy. The Sioux Falls Sports Authority has made it a point to attract similar events as a way of inviting in out-of-towners to experience everything Sioux Falls has to offer.
We’ve got a killer downtown scene. Whether you’re looking for food, cocktails, beer, live entertainment or whatever, you don’t have to look very far. Sioux Falls is likely to surprise many who are quick to dismiss it.
But as I took in the Premier Center on Saturday night, I couldn’t help but ponder a hypothetical — what would the celebration have looked like at Ralph Engelstad Arena?
I’ve long thought of the Sioux Falls regional as an anomaly when it comes to the tired debate of whether NCAA regionals should be hosted on neutral or home sites, but the reality is that Sioux Falls has been fortunate to draw passionate fanbases each time it has hosted.
1/40: North Dakota players gather around goalie Jan Špunar prior to the start of an NCAA regional championship game against Quinnipiac on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
2/40: North Dakota’s Ellis Rickwood sends the puck around the boards ahead of Quinnipiac’s Ethan Wyttenbach in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
3/40: North Dakota’s Jack Kernan tracks down the puck against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
4/40: A skirmish between North Dakota’s EJ Emery and Quinnipiac’s Matthew Lansing is broken up by an official in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
5/40: North Dakota’s Dylan James tracks down the puck against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
6/40: Quinnipiac goalie Dylan Silverstein gloves the puck against North Dakota in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
7/40: North Dakota players celebrate after Jack Kernan scored a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
8/40: North Dakota players skate toward the bench after Jack Kernan scored a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
9/40: North Dakota fans celebrate after the Fighting Hawks scored a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
10/40: North Dakota’s Will Zellers shoots the puck while being defended by Quinnipiac’s Mason Marcellus in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
11/40: North Dakota’s Jack Kernan collects the puck behind the net against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
12/40: North Dakota’s Cody Croal celebrates with teammate Tyler Young after Croal scored a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
13/40: North Dakota players celebrate after Cody Croal scored a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
14/40: Quinnipiac’s Ethan Wyttenbach skates with the puck against North Dakota in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
15/40: Quinnipiac’s Mason Marcellus skates with the puck while being pursued by North Dakota’s Dylan James in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
16/40: North Dakota’s Jack Kernan skates with the puck against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
17/40: North Dakota’s Jack Kernan skates toward the net while being defended by Quinnipiac’s Graham Sward in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
18/40: North Dakota’s Jack Kernan celebrates after scoring a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
19/40: North Dakota’s Jack Kernan celebrates after scoring a goal against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
20/40: North Dakota’s Abram Wiebe tracks down the puck while being defended by Quinnipiac’s Matthew McGroarty in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
21/40: North Dakota goalie Jan Špunar looks on during a break in action against Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
22/40: North Dakota players celebrate following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
23/40: North Dakota goalie Jan Špunar is congratulated by teammate Zach Sandy following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
24/40: North Dakota goalie Jan Špunar is congratulated by teammate Jack Kernan following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
25/40: North Dakota’s EJ Emery hugs teammate Ben Strinden following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
26/40: North Dakota players celebrate following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
27/40: North Dakota’s EJ Emery hugs teammate Dylan James following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
28/40: North Dakota coach Dane Jackson shakes hands with forward Will Zellers following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
29/40: North Dakota players celebrate following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
30/40: North Dakota’s Bennett Zmolek hoists the NCAA regional championship trophy following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
31/40: North Dakota players pose for a photo following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
32/40: North Dakota players and coaches pose for a photo following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
33/40: North Dakota goalie Jan Špunar celebrates following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
34/40: Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold talks with the media following the Bobcats’ 5-0 loss against North Dakota in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
35/40: North Dakota goalie Jan Špunar talks with the media following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
36/40: North Dakota’s Abram Wiebe talks with the media following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
37/40: North Dakota’s Abram Wiebe talks with the media following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
38/40: North Dakota’s Abram Wiebe talks with the media following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
39/40: North Dakota coach Dane Jackson talks with the media following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
40/40: North Dakota coach Dane Jackson talks with the media following the Fighting Hawks’ 5-0 win over Quinnipiac in an NCAA regional championship game Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls.
Trent Singer / Sioux Falls Live
This year marked the fourth time Sioux Falls has hosted an NCAA regional. The first came in 2018 when St. Cloud State, Minnesota State and Minnesota Duluth were a part of the event. The 2022 Sioux Falls regional saw Minnesota State and UND, while the 2024 event featured Minnesota and Omaha.
This year, though, UND was somewhat of a saving grace in a region that featured teams from out east in Providence, Quinnipiac and Merrimack. It underscores how lamentable Saturday’s attendance would have been if the Fighting Hawks hadn’t been playing.
At this point, it seems as if there’s a general consensus among college hockey fans, most of whom agree that home-site regionals should be a thing.
Growing the game of college hockey begins with presenting the product in a way that captivates its audience. Television deals, like the eight-year agreement made between the NCAA and ESPN in 2024, are also a part of that growth.
But in this case, the optics matter.
Just look at them as they are — a week removed from the stunning visuals of conference tournament championship games played in front of packed buildings, we’re left watching games with far greater stakes played in front of half-filled arenas.
In order to make this work, we should stop asking, “Why?” and start asking, “How?” because somewhere in the middle, there’s a compromise and a solution.
And with it, the game has room to grow.
Trent Singer is a sports reporter for Sioux Falls Live. He focuses his coverage on Augustana men’s hockey and Sioux Falls area sports. Singer’s previous stops include Just Women’s Sports, the Southeast Missourian and the Kentucky New Era.