by Alan Babbitt
The Hope College ice hockey team opened pursuit of an ACHA national championship on Thursday with a 9-1 victory against Missouri State at Patterson Ice Arena in Grand Rapids.
The No. 1-ranked Flying Dutchmen improved to 9-2-1 overall with the pool-play victory.
Jake Adams, Kevin Healy and Allan Hirsch scored two goals apiece for Hope.
Gabe Gunneson registered four assists.
The Flying Dutchmen never trailed after jumping to a 4-0 first-period lead.
Hope returns to the ice on Friday, April 16 for an 8:30 p.m. pool-play game against Florida Gulf Coast.
