No. 1 Men's Hockey Clinches Division Title, Gives Head Coach Chris Van Timmeren Win 600

Hope split the weekend series with GVSU

In thrilling fashion, the Hope College men's hockey team skated away on Friday with a division-clinching victory and a milestone for its head coach.

The top-ranked Flying Dutchmen topped sixth-ranked Grand Valley State University, 4-2, after scoring a clinching empty-net goal with 23 seconds remaining at Griff's IceHouse West.

The victory was the 600th of head coach Chris Van Timmeren's career and came in his 783rd game at the helm of his alma mater.

It also secured one last Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference West Division. Hope is moving up to the ACHA Division 1 level next season and will skate in the Great Lakes Six Hockey Conference.

In the series finale, Hope (24-3-1) lost to GVSU, 3-0, at Griff's Georgetown Ice Arena. The Flying Dutchmen finish division play with a 10-1-1 record.

On Friday, junior center Jake Onstott (Zeeland, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic Central HS) sealed the victory with his 25th goal, an empty-netter at 19:37 of the third period.

GVSU had been trying to deliver an equalizer since Andrew Mulder cut Hope's lead to 3-2 with 8:04 remaining.

The Flying Dutchmen led by two goals twice: 49 seconds into the third period on a goal from senior defenseman Nolan Holtrop (Walker, Michigan / Kenowa Hills) and 4:11 into the second period on a power-play goal from junior forward Gunnar Suidinski (Wyoming, Michigan / Grandville).

Suidinski opened the scoring for Hope 49 seconds into the game.

GVSU's goal 8:09 into the second period snapped a shutout streak of 16 periods for the Flying Dutchmen.

The Lakers outshot Hope, 36-34. Senior goalie Maclane Schick (Kohler, Wisconsin / Kohler) made 34 saves for the Flying Dutchmen.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Nolan Holtrop: D; 6' 1"; Senior

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

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

#21 Gunnar Suidinski: F; 5' 9"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#9 Nolan Holtrop
: 6' 1"; Senior
: D

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

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

#21 Gunnar Suidinski
: 5' 9"; Junior
: F