MANDAN, ND – University of Mary defensemen Michael Heitkamp and Johnny Witzke combined for five goals as the #10 Marauders skated past Colorado State University 6-1 to complete the weekend sweep of the Rams. Heitkamp had the hat trick and Witzke tallied twice for the UMary blueliners.
 
The Marauders improve to 24-9-0-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOW-SOL). The Rams, who swept the Marauders in a series in Fort Collins, CO, earlier this season, slip to 15-12-3-0-3.
 
Despite a spate of penalties in the first half providing the Marauders three power plays and the Rams one, neither UMary goal came with a man advantage. Heitkamp struck at 8:38 for the Marauders opening goal. Taking a pass from Derek Dropik, Heitkamp eluded a pair of Rams in the right circle and slid into the slot before delivering a withering shot past Rams goalkeeper Sam Simon. Heitkamp soon followed with his second goal at 15:20 to send UMary into the first intermission with a 2-0 lead.
 
Witzke delivered the third straight goal scored by a Marauders defenseman when the team captain tallied a beautiful shorthanded goal. Picking up a loose puck in the left circle of the Rams defensive zone, Witzke cut through the crease before delivering a backhander into an open net.
 
Jaco Murray extended the UMary lead to four goals before the Rams scored shorthanded at 14:45.
 
Heitkamp completed his hat trick at 1:54 of the final period. Witzke soon followed with a power play goal at 3:02.
 
The Marauders finished 1-for-7 on the power play while the Rams were 0-for-4. UMary was penalized seven times for 14 minutes. Colorado State went to the box 10 times for 20 minutes.
 
The Marauders held a hefty 50-23 edge in shots on goal. Kyle Hayden turned aside 22 of the 23 shots he faced in the game. This was the 97^th victory for Hayden in the UMary net. Simon had 44 saves after making 47 in Saturday's 5-1 UMary win.
 
Heitkamp nearly doubled his scoring output of the season with the three goals. In his first season at UMary, the assistant captain and Waldorf University transfer now has seven goals, just one shy of his career high of eight set in each of the last two seasons.
 
Witzke now has nine goals this year.
 
Dropik finished the game with two assists.
 
The Midwest College Hockey title will be decided next weekend when first place University of Mary faces second place University of Jamestown in a home and home series. The Marauders host the Jimmies at 7 pm Friday, February 9, in the final home game of the regular season for UMary. The two teams switch sites with Jamestown hosting UMary on Saturday, February 10, at 7 pm.
 
The Marauders own 46 points to 44 for the Jimmies in the MCH standings. Each win is worth three points. An overtime win and shot out win is worth two points. A loss in overtime or shootout earns a team one point. The final standings will be determined by a points percentage because of an uneven number of conference games played due to the Waldorf at Illinois State weekend being cancelled due to winter weather.
 
The Marauders host the MCH tournament February 16-18. The top six teams in the final MCH standings make the 3-day single elimination tournament. The top two teams earn a first round bye. The championship game is Sunday, February 18.
 
MD1 Colorado State University 1 at MD1 University of Mary 6 - Status: Final
Sunday, February 4, 2024 - Starion Sports Complex (ND)
 
MD1 Colorado State University 0 1 0 - 1
MD1 University of Mary 2 2 2 - 6
 
1st Period-1, MD1 University of Mary, Heitkamp 5 (Freeman, Dropik), 8:38. 2, MD1 University of Mary, Heitkamp 6 (Nagurski, Eskro), 15:20. Penalties-Latkovski M1csu (tripping), 1:31; Maestas M1csu (cross checking), 4:05; Hollon M1csu (hooking), 6:07; Huber M1umy (cross checking), 12:06; Decker M1csu (roughing), 19:30; Eskro M1umy (roughing), 19:30.
 
2nd Period-3, MD1 University of Mary, Witzke 8   7:31 (SH). 4, MD1 University of Mary, Murray 2 (Kruse, Robinson), 9:59. 5, MD1 Colorado State University, Decker 9 (Doan), 14:45 (SH). Penalties-Medeiros M1umy (interference), 6:39; Bova M1csu (elbowing), 13:22; Decker M1csu (cross checking), 19:49.
 
3rd Period-6, MD1 University of Mary, Heitkamp 7 (Dropik, Huber), 1:54. 7, MD1 University of Mary, Witzke 9 (Thomas), 3:02 (PP). Penalties-Hollon M1csu (interference), 2:18; Colagrosso M1csu (roughing), 4:46; Freeman M1umy (roughing), 4:46; Huber M1umy (boarding, roughing), 4:46; Collins M1csu (cross checking), 10:38; Huber M1umy (interference), 10:38; Shaw M1csu (cross checking), 15:22.
 
Shots on Goal-MD1 Colorado State University 10-9-4-23. MD1 University of Mary 19-13-18-50.
Power Play Opportunities-MD1 Colorado State University 0 / 4; MD1 University of Mary 1 / 7.
Goalies-MD1 Colorado State University, Simon 12-11-3-0 (50 shots-44 saves). MD1 University of Mary, Hayden 9-6-0-1 (23 shots-22 saves).
A-342
 
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