MANDAN, ND – In a meeting between a pair of nationally-ranked teams, a dominant defensive performance by #1 University of Mary led the Marauders past visiting #12 Dakota College at Bottineau 3-0. The Marauders held the Lumberjacks to just 25 shots while scoring a single goal in each period.
The Marauders, the defending American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men's Division 2 champions and the top-ranked team in both the nation and the West region, improved their record to 26-4-1-2 this season. The Lumberjacks, ranked second in the West, are 14-6-1-3.
Kyle Hayden backstopped the victory for the Marauders, earning his fifth shutout of the season overall and his second over the Lumberjacks, both by a 3-0 score. This was the fourth meeting this season between two familiar foes. UMary is undefeated against Dakota College, picking up three wins plus a tie.
With time running out on a scoreless first period, the Marauders finally solved Dakota College netminder Jordan Berschiminsky with 2:42 on the clock.
Picking up the puck just outside the blue line,
Braeden Zaste skated alone down the right board before firing a left-handed wrister from inside the right circle. The shot found the back of the net and gave the Marauders a 1-0 lead entering the first intermission.
The goal by Zaste continued impressive production by the Marauders fourth line. Over the past three games, the line of Zaste,
Justin Ohnstad and
Marcus Kopp has generated four goals and eight assists.
The Marauders took advantage of a Lumberjacks miscue to double their lead in the second period.
Johnny Witzke, skating in the UMary defensive goal, stole the puck from attacking Dakota College and deflected it to fellow All-American
Alex Flicek. Flicek gathered the puck and quickly found
Jaren Hugelen streaking down the center of the ice and hit the forward from Dickinson, ND, in stride just outside the Lumberjacks blue line for a breakaway. Flying down the slot unfettered by any defenders, Hugelen buried the puck at 5:33 for a 2-0 Marauders advantage.
For Witzke it was his second assist of the game.
The Lumberjacks increased their offensive pressure in the third period, outshooting the Marauders 13-12, but Hayden kept the scoreboard clean for the Marauders and finished the game with 25 saves. UMary finished the day with a 38-25 edge in shots.
Kyler Moore closed the scoring on an empty net goal with three seconds left in the game.
The Marauders and the Lumberjacks complete their two-game weekend series on Sunday, February 6, with a game in Bottineau, ND. Faceoff is set for 6:30 pm.
M2 Dakota College-Bottineau 0 at M2 University of Mary 3 - Status: Final
Saturday, February 5, 2022 - Starion Sports Complex
M2 Dakota College-Bottineau 0 0 0 - 0
M2 University of Mary 1 1 1 - 3
1st Period-1, M2 University of Mary, Zaste 3 (Ohnstad, Witzke), 17:18. Penalties-Carpenter Dcb (cross checking), 9:17.
2nd Period-2, M2 University of Mary, Hugelen 8 (Flicek, Witzke), 5:44. Penalties-Hugelen Umary (interference), 10:23; Garrett Umary (interference), 14:02; Dick Dcb (hooking), 17:03.
3rd Period-3, M2 University of Mary, Moore 15 (Freeman, Lenertz), 19:57 (EN). Penalties-Dick Dcb (tripping), 2:17; Cushing Umary (slashing), 7:06; served by Janssens Dcb (bench-coach), 10:21; Vercaigne Dcb (holding), 10:21; Kopp Umary (closing hand on puck), 14:29.
Shots on Goal-M2 Dakota College-Bottineau 4-8-13-25. M2 University of Mary 15-11-12-38.
Power Play Opportunities-M2 Dakota College-Bottineau 0 / 4; M2 University of Mary 0 / 4.
Goalies-M2 Dakota College-Bottineau, Berschiminsky 8-3-0-1 (37 shots-35 saves). M2 University of Mary, Hayden 17-3-0-0 (25 shots-25 saves).
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