BOTTINEAU, ND – In a matchup between the two top teams in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 West Region, visiting University of Mary edged Dakota College at Bottineau 3-1.
Derek Dropik had a goal and an assist to lift the Marauders to a weekend sweep of the Lumberjacks in a home-and-away series.
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 27-4-1-2 this season. The Lumberjacks, ranked second in the West and 12
th nationally, are 14-7-1-3.
The victory was the ninth straight for the Marauders, who are 4-0-0-1 this season against the Lumberjacks.
Garrett Freeman opened the scoring for UMary late in the opening period. Skating aggressively through the left circle, Freeman tapped home a diagonal pass from
Kyler Moore from just outside the crease at 16:24 to give the Marauders a 1-0 advantage.
On a breakout from the Marauders defensive zone, Dropik received a pass in the right circle, drove hard to the net and beat Dakota College netminder Jordan Berschiminsky for the Marauders second goal of the game just 2:48 into the second period.
Just over three minutes later, Dropik left the puck for a trailing
Teddy Lillico in the left side of the slot. Lillico unleashed a quick wrister and pushed the UMary advantage to 3-0.
With time running out in the second period, Dakota College solved UMary goalkeeper
Kyle Hayden for the only time all weekend when Geoff Dick scored with 30 seconds remaining, puling the Lumberjacks within two goals.
Despite a combined 31 shots in the third period, neither team could score. Hayden was particularly strong, stopping all 17 shots he faced in the final stanza. For the weekend the Marauders All-American stopped 65 shots, including 40 on Sunday.
The Marauders now return home to host the Dakota Cup Friday through Sunday, Feb 11-13. UMary hosts the University of Jamestown on Friday at 7 pm, Williston State College on Saturday at 7 pm and Dakota College on Sunday at 2 pm. All games will be played at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink.
#1 University of Mary 3 at #12 Dakota College-Bottineau 1 (final)
Sunday, February 6, 2022 – Bottineau, ND (Lumberdome)
University of Mary 1 2 0 - 3
Dakota College-Bottineau 0 1 0 - 1
1st Period-1, University of Mary,
Garrett Freeman (
Kyler Moore,
Zach Garrett), 16:24. Penalties-UMary 6 for 15 minutes; DCB 7 for 20 minutes.
2nd Period-2, University of Mary,
Derek Dropik (
Justin Ohnstad), 2:48. 3, University of Mary,
Teddy Lillico (Dropik), 6:00. 4, Dakota College, Geoff Dick (Phil Parisien, Blake Carpenter), 19:30. Penalties-UMary 1 for 2 minutes, DCB 0 for 0 minutes.
3rd Period-No scoring. Penalties- UMary 2 for 4 minutes, DCB 2 for 4 minutes.
Shots on Goal- University of Mary 17-12-14-43. Dakota College-Bottineau 12-12-17-41.
Penalties: UMary 9 for 21 minutes. DCB 9 for 24 minutes.
Power Play Opportunities- University of Mary 0 / 4. Dakota College-Bottineau 0 / 4.
Goalies- University of Mary,
Kyle Hayden 18-3-0-0 (41 shots-40 saves). Dakota College-Bottineau, Jordan Berschiminsky 8-3-0-1 (43 shots-40 saves).
#marauders#
