ACHA Hockey Tops Sacred Heart in National Championships Open

The No. 2 Flying Dutchmen next will face Calvin University.

Pictured, junior Casen Faustyn

Two third-period goals powered the second-ranked Hope College ice hockey team to a 3-1 victory against Sacred Heart University (Conn.) on Thursday in the opening game of the ACHA Division 3 Championships.

The Flying Dutchmen (26-5) won their first game in pool play at Centene Community Ice Center, the practice home of the NHL's St. Louis Blues.

Hope, which is seeded second in the 16-team tournament, set up a showdown with Calvin University on Friday, March 8, at 5:45 p.m. Central. Calvin edged Dartmouth College, 3-2, in pool play on Thursday.

In November, Hope and Calvin split their regular-season series. The Flying Dutchmen won the series opener, 4-2, in Grand Rapids but lost the second game, 3-2, on home ice.

On Thursday, Hope took a 1-0 lead with 6:10 remaining in the first period when junior defenseman Ian MacDonald (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven HS) struck thanks to assists from junior defenseman Casen Faustyn (Okemos, Michigan / Okemos) and freshman center Jake Nanna (Muskegon, Michigan / Mona Shores).

Sacred Heart, which was seeded 10th, evened the score at 1-1 on Mike Angeletti's goal with 2 ½ minutes remaining in the second period. It was the first time the Flying Dutchmen had yielded a goal in five games and a span of 15 periods.

Sophomore center Jake Onstott (Zeeland, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central) snapped the 1-1 tie by scoring 5 ½ minutes into the third period. Senior right wing Jake Adams (East Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) and sophomore forward Brenden Tarpening (Fenton, Michigan / Flint Powers) were credited with assists.

Senior center Gabe Gunneson (Rockford, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) then iced the game by scoring with 37 seconds remaining in the third period.

Hope out-shot Sacred Heart by a 38-20 margin.

The Flying Dutchmen did not convert on three extra-man opportunities, but killed off four Sacred Heart power plays.

Junior goalie Maclane Schick (Kohler, Wisconsin / Kohler) made 19 saves for Hope.

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