THIS WEEK
The Midwest College Hockey championship is on the line this weekend when the 9^th ranked University of Mary hockey team plays a home and home weekend series with 6^th ranked University of Jamestown.
 
Friday, February 9

• 7 pm vs. University of Jamestown Jimmies
• Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink, Mandan, ND

 
Saturday, February 10

• 7 pm at University of Jamestown Jimmies
• Jamestown, ND

 
RECORDS
The #9 Marauders are 24-9-0-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOW-SOL) overall and 15-2-0-0-1 in MCH play. UMary leads the MCH with 46 points… The #6 Jimmies are 21-11-0-0 overall and 2^nd in the MCH standings with 44 points with a record of 14-3-1-0-0.
 
WEEKEND GAME NOTES
The Marauders and the Jimmies split their 2-game series earlier this year. Jamestown won their home game 8-2 on December 1 before UMary rebounded for a 3-2 win on the Marauders home ice December 2… Friday's game is the Marauders final regular season home game of the 2023-24 season. UMary will play at home at least one more time when the Marauders host the MCH tournament February 16-18.
 
BEK SPORTS BROADCASTING MARAUDERS-RAMS GAME STATEWIDE
The weekend opener between #9 University of Mary and #6 University of Jamestown will air live on BEK TV throughout North Dakota on Friday, February 9. Pregame starts at 6:45 pm. Visit www.bek.tv for how to watch the game in your location.                                                                                                                                               
 
LAST TIME OUT
UMary rolled past visiting Colorado State University for a weekend sweep. Braeden Zaste had two goals in a 5-1 win Saturday. In a 6-1 win Sunday, Michael Heitkamp had three goals and Johnny Witzke two.
 
MIDWEST COLLEGE HOCKEY TITLE ON THE LINE
Entering the final weekend of Midwest College Hockey play, the Marauders own 46 points to 44 for the Jimmies in the MCH standings. A win by the Marauders or gaining two points total in the two game weekend series with the Jimmies will give UMary the MCH title. This is the Marauders first season competing in the MCH.
 
Each MCH win is worth three points. An overtime win and shoot 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 at the Starion Sports Center Schwan Cadillac Rink. 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. Both the Marauders and the Jimmies have claimed the top two slots and opening round byes.
 
The MCH tournament champion earns an automatic berth to the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division I national tournament.
 

2023-24 Midwest College Hockey Standings
Team Name	W	OTW/ SOW	L	OTL/ SOL	Points	GF	GA
UMary *	15	0	2	1	46	77	33
Jamestown *	14	1	3	0	44	99	20
McKendree *	10	0	8	0	30	62	64
Midland *	8	0	8	2	26	56	57
Illinois State *	10	1	7	0	32	73	71
Waldorf	2	1	13	0	8	23	75
Northern Illinois	0	0	18	0	0	41	111

* Clinched playoff spot (top 6 teams qualify) | Standings through February 8, 2024
 
MARAUDERS TO HOST MIDWEST COLLEGE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT FEBRUARY 16-18
Despite this being the Marauders inaugural season in Midwest College Hockey, the University of Mary will host the 2023-24 MCH conference playoff at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink in Mandan, ND, on February 16-18, 2024. The top six teams in the regular season league standings qualify for the MCH Conference Playoffs and will compete for the chance to hoist the Lindsay Cup and receive the MCH's autobid to the 2024 ACHA Men's Division 1 National Championships presented by FloHockey, held March 7-12 at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, MO.
 
RANKINGS – UMARY #9 IN 14TH ACHA MD1 POLL OF 2023-24
The Marauders rank 9th nationally in the 14th American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men's Division 1 poll of the 2023-24 season.
 
UMARY WEEK BY WEEK ACHA MD1 RANKINGS
Preseason – 23rd | Poll 1 – 21st | Poll 2 – 20th | Poll 3 – 19th | Poll #4 – 4th | Poll 5 – 3rd | Poll 6 – 5th | Poll 7 – 5th | Poll 8 – 6th | Poll 9 – 7th | poll 10 - #10 | Poll 11 - #10 | Poll 12 - #10 | Poll 13 - #10 | Poll 14 - #9
 
UMARY VS. TEAMS CURRENTLY NATIONALLY RANKED
•             1-4 vs. #1 Minot State
•             1-1 at #3 University of Central Oklahoma
•             1-1 vs #6 University of Jamestown
•             2-1-0-0-1 vs. #13 Illinois State
•             2-0 vs. #18 Missouri State
 

2023-2024 ACHA Men's Division I Ranking #14
Rank	School Name	M1 Record	Previous	Conference
1	Minot State	26-5-0	1	INDEP
2	Adrian	23-3-0	2	GLCHL
3	Central Oklahoma	24-4-0	3	WCHL
4	Nevada-Las Vegas	19-6-2	4	WCHL
5	Ohio	22-6-3	6	INDEP
6	Jamestown	20-8-0	7	MCH
7	Liberty	16-7-1	5	INDEP
8	Maryville	19-9-1	8	INDEP
9	Mary	21-9-1	10	MCH
10	Niagara	17-6-1	9	ESCHL
11	Purdue Northwest	22-5-1	11	GLCHL
12	Calvin	20-6-2	13	GLCHL
13	Illinois State	22-10-1	15	MCH
14	Utah	13-8-2	17	WCHL
15	Grand Valley State	19-6-2	16	GLCHL
16	Indiana Tech	20-9-1	19	WHAC
17	Pittsburgh	16-11-2	12	ESCHL
18	Missouri State	12-13-2	18	WCHL
19	Arizona	11-12-1	14	WCHL
20	Delaware	13-8-3	20	ESCHL
21	Grand Canyon	14-13-1	25	WCHL
22	Iowa State	8-8-0	21	INDEP
23	West Chester	20-4-2	NR	ECHA
24	Indiana Pennsylvania	19-6-2	24	CHMA
25	Oklahoma	12-9-2	22	WCHL

 
200
The Marauders program reached 200 wins on November 11, 2023, in a 6-2 victory over Waldorf. Led by Head Coach Dan Huntley, the Marauders first took the ice in September 2018 and is in its sixth season (scroll down for year-by-year results)
 
CUSHING ALL-TIME UMARY LEADER IN GOALS
Seth Cushing became the UMary career leader in goals on December 1, 2023, when he scored the 138th goal with the Marauders. Alex Flicek formerly held the record with 137. Cushing now has 145 goals in his UMary career… Additionally Cushing moved past Zach Garrett (237 points) on the career points list the next game on December 2, 2023. Cushing now has 247 points in his UMary career. Flicek is the all-time team record-holder in points with 292.
 
100 AND COUNTING
The University of Mary earned its 100^th win at home against Minot State University on January 24, 2024. The Marauders are 100-14-2-3-0-0 (W-L-OTL-T-SOW-SOL) all-time at home.
 
HUBER HITS 150
Andrew Huber became the 5^th UMary player to reach 150 career points with a 2-goal 2-assist game at Waldorf Jan. 27. The Bismarck, ND, native owns 96 goals and 58 assists in 201 games with the Marauders.
 
HEITKAMP POWERS UP
Defenseman Michael Heitkamp picked up a hat trick in a 6-1 UMary win over Colorado State. He earlier had a tremendous game in the Marauders 7-1 win over Illinois State. The defensemen had a goal and three assists for four points. In his first season at UMary Heitkamp owns seven goals and ten assists.
 
CUSHING CHARGING FORWARD
Seth Cushing is putting together another outstanding season. The Marauders all-time leader in goals has found the net a team-high 21 times this season. He also has 14 assists and is third on UMary with 35 points. Cushing leads the squad with seven game-winning goals.
 
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
Isaiah Thomas has dished out a team-high 32 assists this season, including three in a game three times. He has eight games with multiple assists and has had either a goal or an assist in 22 games out of 32 overall. With five goals in addition to his 32 assists he has a team-leading 37 points on the season.
 
NAGURSKI FINDS HIS NICHE
Defenseman Cyril Nagurski, UMary's lone 6th year player and the only skater besides Andrew Huber who played in the Marauders inaugural season, has scored a career-high nine goals this season and added a career-best 15 assists. He is 3rd on the team in goals and 5th in points (24). His previous high for goals was seven last year. Nagurski leads the team with six power play goals.
 
ESKRO ROLLING
Tanner Eskro has scored 14 goals to trail only Seth Cushing (21) for the team lead. He tallied in each of the first five UMary games this season, including two in the first game against Missouri State. He is second on the team in points with 36.
 
ROCKET START
Johnny Witzke having another great season, despite missing 12 games to injury. The Marauders All-American defender has nine goals and 19 assists in 20 games. Witzke had the game-winning goal in the Marauders 5-3 win over #1 Minot State and two goals in a 6-1 win over Colorado State. He is 4th on the team in points with 28. Five of his goals have come on the power play.
  
MINDING THE NET
Conan Hayton and Kyle Hayden have been tremendous between the pipes for the Marauders this season. Hayton owns ten wins – including a shutout – with a 2.47 goals against average and a .916 save percentage. All-American Kyle Hayden has nine wins and two shutouts with a 2.18 GAA and a .935 save percentage in 17 games. Including two shutouts by Cameron Milewski, the Marauders goalies allow 2.22 goals/game with a .929 save percentage.
 
TESTED TOUGH
The Marauders return 19 skaters from last season… Playing his 6th season is D Cyril Nagurski… Playing in their 5th seasons are D Johnny Witzke, F Seth Cushing, G Kyle Hayden and F Andy Huber, Players in their 4th season are F Derek Dropik, F Tanner Eskro, G Conan Hayton, F Jaren Hugelen, F Riley Scanlon and F Braden Zaste… Entering season 3 is F Garrett Freeman, D Teddy Lillico, F Isaiah Thomas and D Ryan Wolf… Returning for year 2 is F Tucker Kruse, F Liam Massie, D Lucas Medeiros and F Jake Murray.
 
NEW NEW NEW
The Marauders have five scholar-athletes in their first season with the program: F Nick Bradshaw, D Michael Heitkamp, G Cameron Milewski, D Lukas Robinson and F Luke Schleusner… Two players have played previously for ACHA programs. Heitkamp, a Bismarck, ND, native, played the last three seasons in ACHA M1 at Waldorf… Robinson joins UMary after two seasons playing ACHA M3 at Lawrence Tech University.
 
MARAUDERS TIED FOR 2ND IN MCH PRESEASON POLL
Defending Midwest College Hockey regular-season and conference playoff champion University of Jamestown is the 2023-24 MCH Hockey coaches preseason favorite to win the conference in the upcoming 2023-24 season. While the Jimmies were the unanimous choice after earning all seven 1st place votes and 49 total points, the Marauders tied with Illinois State University for second in the MCH coaches' poll with both teams earning 37 points. Midland (26 points) is projected to place 4th, followed by McKendree (24), Waldorf (14) and Northern Illinois (9).
 
PROGRAM HISTORY LESSON
Under the direction of head coach Dan Huntley, a 2-time coach of the year, the University of Mary was a dominant force in ACHA M2 for all five years the program has existed.

• 2018-19 | 39-5-1-2 (not eligible for postseason as 1st year program)
• 2019-20 | 39-9-2-0 (#1 West Region seed | MWCHL tourney runner-up | #2 nationally in final poll | ACHA M2 tourney cancelled for pandemic)
• 2020-21 | 38-4-1-6 (ACHA M2 national champion | Ranked #1 in final ACHA M2 poll | #1 seed at ACHA M2 championships)
• 2021-22 | 38-4-1-2 (ACHA M2 national champion | Ranked #1 in final ACHA M2 rating | #1 seed from West region)
• 2022-23 | 38-6-3-1 (Ranked #1 in final ACHA M2 rating | #1 seed from West region | was 2-0-1-0 at ACHA M2 championships)

TOTAL | 192-28-8-11 (W-L-OTL-T)
 
GOLDEN GOALTENDERS
The Marauders have featured an All-Athletic Team goaltender all five seasons UMary has had a hockey program. Aaron Nelson was a 1st team selection in 2018-19, the Marauders inaugural season, followed by Lance Knutson (2020) and Kyle Hayden (2021-2022-2023).
 
2022-23 HIGHLIGHTS

• ACHA M2 All-Athletic Team | Johnny Witzke and Kyle Hayden continue making program history for the University of Mary as the duo become the Marauders first 3-time American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 All-Athletic Team selections. Witzke earned 2022-23 1st team ACHA M2 All-Athletic Team honors while Hayden was voted to the second team. Witzke was previously named to the ACHA M2 All-Athletic Team in 2021 (1st team) and 2022 (2nd team). Hayden, the reigning ACHA M2 Player of the Year, earned 2nd team recognition in 2021 and 1st team honors in 2022.
• Witzke named ACHA M2 West Region Player of the Year | Johnny Witzke is the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 West Region Player of the Year, the third straight Marauder to earn the honor. Witzke played a key role in the Marauders holding opponents to only 74 goals in 54 games. The Marauders team captain, Witzke joins Zach Garret (2020-21) and Kyle Hayden (2021-22) in earning West Region Player of the Year honors for UMary.
• Witzke, Hayden and Thomas named to 2023 ACHA M2 All-West Region Team | Kyle Hayden, Johnny Witzke and Isaiah Thomas are 2022-23 ACHA M2 All-West Region team selections. Hayden and Witzke are 1st team honorees with Thomas earning 2nd team recognition. This is the third time claiming regional honors for Hayden and Witzke while Thomas recognized for the first time.
• Witzke named 2022-23 NDAPSSSA Non-Schol Male Athlete of the Year
• 239 | Drew Lenertz played all 239 games in school history from game one in 2018 through the final game of 2022-23.
• 28 | After winning their first eight games of the season, the Marauders set a program record with a 28 game win streak. UMary finished the 2021-22 season on a 20-game win streak. The winning streak was halted by a 2-2 draw at Liberty University on October 14. Originally declared a forfeit win after the Flames improperly used a skater during a shootout, the result was recently changed to a tie.
• 34 | Undefeated in their first 14 games of the season after closing the 2021-22 season with 20 straight wins, the Marauders set a program record with a 34 game undefeated streak.
• 15 | The Marauders posted a school-record 15 shutouts last season
• 291 | All-time UMary leading scorer finished his 5-year career with the Marauders with 291 points, 137 goals and 154 assists.
• 13 | Kyle Hayden shattered the school record for shutouts in a single season with 13 in 2022-23.

 
MARAUDERS 2023-24 TICKETING FAQs

• Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online at www.umarytickets.com or via the HomeTown Fan App for iOS and Android mobile devices
• Save money by purchasing tickets online
• $5 discount (minus fees) on tickets purchased online vs. purchases at the gate
• Tickets purchased at the gate are CASH ONLY transactions
• ATMs are located near the main ticketing gates for Marauders home game
• Debit and credit card purchases are online only at www.umarytickets.com or via the HomeTown Fan App
• UMary students and faculty and staff with their MCard are admitted FREE
• Youth 12 and younger with an adult are admitted FREE
• Any youth 12 and under unaccompanied by an adult are charged a $5 admission fee at the gate (cash only)
• All ticket sales are FINAL at time of purchase, whether online or at the gate

 
MARAUDERS HOME GAME TICKET PRICES | Soccer, basketball, hockey, track & field, volleyball and wrestling tickets

• Adults | $10 + fees online and $15 (CASH ONLY) at the gate
• Seniors (65+) and youth 13-18 | $5 + fees online and $10 (CASH ONLY) at the gate
• Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult | Free
• Children 12 and under with no adult present| $5

 
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