ACHA Hockey Rolls Past Missouri, Skates into National Semifinals

Niko Stamas fights for the puck behind the Missouri net.

The Hope College ice hockey team is joining an all-Michigan final four at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III national championships out east.

The Flying Dutchmen, who are seeking a third consecutive ACHA national title, advanced to the semifinals by winning their pool with a 3-0 record.

Hope (32-1) wrapped up pool play on Saturday night with an 8-1 victory against eighth-seeded University of Missouri at New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Massachusetts, near Boston.

The Flying Dutchmen advance to face fourth-seeded Lawrence Tech University in the semifinals on Monday, March 20, at 4 p.m. The game can be viewed on pay-per-view at hockeytv.com.

It is Hope's eighth appearance in an ACHA championship semifinal. The other semifinal pits third-seeded University of Michigan against seventh-seeded Grand Valley State University at 1 p.m. All four semifinals skate in the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference.

Hope went a combined 5-0 against Michigan and Grand Valley State this season but did not face Lawrence Tech.

On Saturday, the Flying Dutchmen jumped to a 2-0 first-period lead against Missouri and never looked back.

Senior forward Kevin Healy (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford HS) registered a hat trick, including the game-winner on Hope's second goal of the opening period.

Hope also received goals from senior left wing Lucas Barber (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion), junior defenseman Ashton Bol (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian), senior center Gabe Gunneson (Rockford, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern), freshman forward Keegan McNamara (Linden, Michigan / Fenton) and senior left wing Colin Stecco (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids).

Sophomore goalie Maclane Schick (Kohler, Wisconsin / Kohler) stopped all 18 shots he faced during the first two periods,.

Junior goalie Ryan McClelland (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central) played the final 20 minutes and turned away six of seven shots he faced.

Gallery: (3-18-2023) Hockey vs U of Missouri

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#17 Lucas Barber: LW; 5' 10"; Senior

#65 Ashton Bol: D; 6' 5"; Junior

#15 Gabe Gunneson: C; 6' 1"; Senior

#19 Kevin Healy: F; 6' 2"; Senior

#29 Ryan McClelland: G; 5' 11"; Junior

#30 Maclane Schick: G; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#10 Colin Stecco: LW; 5' 10"; Senior

#8 Keegan McNamara: F; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#17 Lucas Barber
: 5' 10"; Senior
: LW

#65 Ashton Bol
: 6' 5"; Junior
: D

#15 Gabe Gunneson
: 6' 1"; Senior
: C

#19 Kevin Healy
: 6' 2"; Senior
: F

#29 Ryan McClelland
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G

#30 Maclane Schick
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G

#10 Colin Stecco
: 5' 10"; Senior
: LW

#8 Keegan McNamara
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: F