The eighth win in nine games has Hope College's American Collegiate Hockey Association team skating this weekend for a national championship.
The Flying Dutchmen beat Florida Gulf Coast 6-2 Wednesday night in Columbus, Ohio, to clinch the top spot in their pool no matter what happens with Thursday's 2 p.m. game vs. Arkansas.
Hope (23-7-2 overall) is unbeaten with a 2-0 record, while the next best team is Arkansas with two ties in two games.
The Flying Dutchmen will skate in the national semifinals on Friday at 4 p.m. against either Central Michigan or Air Force.
Against Florida Gulf Coast, Peter Stewart, pictured, scored twice and added an assist to lead the Flying Dutchmen.
Goalie Austin Kane made 26 saves.
Hope broke open the game with a four-goal second period to take a 5-2 lead. Allan Hirsch, Cole Stenstrom, Elliott Digison and Evan Fall scored for Hope during the second period.
The Flying Dutchmen are pursuing their fifth appearance in an ACHA national championship game. They previously were national runner-up in 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2003.
