BISMARCK-MANDAN, ND – The waiting is nearly over for the University of Mary hockey team. Ineligible for postseason play last season in the program's inaugural year, the Marauders begin their drive towards earning a tournament slot this weekend when the Marauders host North Dakota State University in a pair of games to start the regular season.
The two-game set begins with tailgating at 4pm before the Marauders face off against the Bison starting at 7 pm on Saturday, Sept. 14, on the Schwann Cadillac Rink at the Starion Sports Complex in Mandan, ND. The series concludes with a 2 pm game on Sunday, Sept. 15.
The Marauders first chance at postseason action comes as the newest member of the Mountain West Collegiate Hockey Conference (MWCHC). The MWCHC is the original ACHA DII conference in the West Region, founded by Boise State University, Brigham Young University, University of Denver, Montana State University, Montana Tech, Utah State University and Weber State University. Other members have included University of Wyoming, Grand Canyon University, University of Providence and Utah Valley University.
With the addition of UMary, the MWCHC now also consists of Brigham Young University, Montana State University, Montana Tech, University of Providence, Utah State University, Utah Valley University and Weber State University.
The MWCHC Tournament is annually held the weekend prior to the release of the final ACHA Men's DII poll. Tournament site will be determined on an annual basis and all teams are expected to participate. Head to head play as well as the ACHA DII West Region poll will determine MWCHC Tournament seeding. With eight teams the MWCHC has an automatic berth into the ACHA DII West Regional for its champion.
This season the MWCHC is set for February 6-8, 2019.
Later in the month, the ACHA Division II West Regional is scheduled for Feb. 27-29.
The winner of the West Regional automatically advances to the ACHA Division II National Championship on March 20-24 in Dallas, TX.
UMary was undoubtably one of the nation's best American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II teams in 2018-19. Under the direction of head coach Dan Huntley and spearheaded by the play of All-Americans
Aaron Nelson and
Marshall Tschida, the Marauders ran roughshod over the competition. Definitely not your typical first-year team, UMary won its first 15 games and finished 39-5-2-1. The squad didn't lose a game against ACHA Division II foes, finishing 28-0-1 and ranking first in every regional poll.
Fourteen skaters return for the Marauders, including the squad's top four scorers and seven double-digit goal scorers.
Tschida anchored the Marauders blue line while also tying for the team's scoring lead. The defenseman from Woodbury, MN, scored 13 goals – including five on power plays – and delivered a team-best 43 assists for 56 points.
Jonathan Sundell returns to again team with Tschida for a shutdown tandem of defenders.
Alex Flicek potted 36 goals to lead UMary and added 20 assists to tie Tschida for the points lead with 56.
Zach Garrett added 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points and Andy Huber struck for 29 goals and 42 points.
Josh Colleaux tacked on 14 goals,
Kyler Moore 13 and
Phillip Silveria 10.
Lance Knudson is poised to take over the top spot in net following the graduation of Nelson, who has joined the Marauders coaching staff. Knudson was 18-0-0 between the pipes with a 1.59 goals against average a save percentage of 93.7.
Following the Bison series, the Marauders take to the road, first playing a single game against the University of Jamestown ACHA Division I team on Sept. 29 before playing four games in the Boise State University Bronco Showcase Sept. 26-29.
The Marauders then host the UMary Icebreaker on Oct. 3-7. Five teams, including defending ACHA Division II national champion Florida Gulf Coast University, will visit.
Visit UMaryTickets.com to get your tickets for all Marauders events. Adult tickets are $10 with children ages 13-18 are $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
NOTE: The Marauders opener against the Bison on Sept. 14 will be televised statewide on BEK Sports.
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