GRAND FORKS — UND's coaching staff and Ralph Engelstad Arena general manager Jody Hodgson approached Ben Strinden this week with an idea.

They asked Strinden if it would be all right to open parents' night by recognizing his late father, Tom, with a moment of silence before the game. Tom died July 13 after a battle with brain cancer.

The other players' parents were recognized during the first intermission.

Ben was all for it.

Tom's picture was displayed on the center-ice scoreboard and the 11,495 fans in Ralph Engelstad went silent for 15 seconds.

Then, Strinden proceeded to have the best game of his college hockey career.

Strinden tallied four assists as UND beat Minnesota Duluth 5-1 in the series finale in Ralph Engelstad Arena.

"I really felt him with me tonight," Strinden said.

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