ACHA Hockey Sweeps Michigan State, Secures Outright Division Crown

Pictured, senior goalie Ryan McClelland

A weekend sweep and a fellow contender's upset loss propelled the Hope College hockey team to another Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference West Division title.

The fifth-ranked Flying Dutchmen emerged from a group of three contenders after defeating Michigan State University's ACHA team, 7-5, at home on Friday, and, 4-0, on the road on Saturday.

Coupled with top-ranked Grand Valley State University's home loss to Ferris State University on Saturday, Hope stood atop the division standings with a 10-2 record.

GVSU finished second with an 8-2-1-1 division record. Michigan State, which was tied for first, dropped to fourth place behind Calvin University (8-3-1-0) with an 8-4 division record.

Hope (22-5 overall) will be the West Division No. 1 seed for the conference's Vezina Cup playoffs.

The Flying Dutchmen receive a first-round bye and will play in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 8 p.m. at Patterson Ice Arena in Grand Rapids. Hope will skate against the lowest seed remaining after play on Friday, Feb. 16, between the Michigan State University, Ferris State, Davenport University and Western Michigan University.

On Saturday, the Flying Dutchmen clinched their division title behind a shutout from junior goalkeeper Maclane Schick and goals from four different skaters.

Schick (Kohler, Wisconsin / Sheboygan Red Raiders HS) bounced back after a rough outing in Friday's opener and stopped 27 MSU shots. It was Hope's seventh shutout in 27 games this season.

Freshman center Colton Laufer (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) opened the scoring for the Flying Dutchmen.

Hope then received goals from sophomore center Jake Onstott (Zeeland, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central), senior right wing Nolan Convertini (Muskegon, Michigan / Muskegon Catholic Central) and sophomore forward Keegan McNamara (Fenton, Michigan / Linden).

On Friday, the Flying Dutchmen scored three unanswered goals during the third period against Michigan State.

Senior right wing Jake Adams (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) evened the score at 5-5 6:18 into the third period.

Sophomore defenseman Austin Ieuter then scored two power-play goals in less than five minutes to put Hope ahead.

Ieuter's first came at 9:42 of the third period. The winner followed at the 14:33 mark.

Senior center Gabe Gunneson (Rockford, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) assisted on all three third-period goals and netted a second-period goal.

Senior defenseman Luke McKinch (Plymouth, Michigan / Plymouth Comprehensive) collected three assists during the game.

The Flying Dutchmen overcame a 4-1 deficit in the first period. Michigan State ripped off four consecutive even-strength goals in a span of 12 minutes and chased Schick.

Senior goalie Ryan McClelland (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central) cooled the hot Spartans and turned away 19 of the shots he faced in 44 minutes and 39 seconds of ice time.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Jake Adams: RW; 6' 2"; Senior

#12 Nolan Convertini: RW; 6' 2"; Senior

#18 Austin Ieuter: D; 6' 0"; Sophomore

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

#2 Luke McKinch: D; 6' 2"; Senior

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

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

#5 Colton Laufer: C; 5' 10"; Freshman

#17 Jake Onstott: C; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#13 Gabe Gunneson: C; 6' 1"; Fifth Year

Players Mentioned

#22 Jake Adams
: 6' 2"; Senior
: RW

#12 Nolan Convertini
: 6' 2"; Senior
: RW

#18 Austin Ieuter
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: D

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

#2 Luke McKinch
: 6' 2"; Senior
: D

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

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

#5 Colton Laufer
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: C

#17 Jake Onstott
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: C

#13 Gabe Gunneson
: 6' 1"; Fifth Year
: C