Men's Hockey Skates Past Midland in ACHA Division I Tournament Opener

Hope advances to face third-seeded Niagara next in the second round

The Hope College men's hockey team made its first appearance in the ACHA Division I national championships a memorable one.

The No. 14 seed Flying Dutch struck for three first-period goals and skated to a 5-2 victory over the No. 19 seed Midland University on Thursday in St. Louis, Mo.

Hope (26-8) advanced to face the No. 3 seed, Niagara University (25-5), in the second round Friday, March 13, at 1:30 p.m. Central time.

Freshman center Logan Nickolaus, the GL6 Rookie of the Year, recorded two goals and two assists to lead the Flying Dutchmen.

Hope took advantage of an early power play, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal from senior center Jake Onstott (Zeeland, Mich.) at the 9:41 mark. Nickolaus (Byron Center, Mich.) and senior defenseman Trevor Davis (Byron Center, Mich.) drew assists.

Nickolaus doubled the Flying Dutchmen's lead two and a half minutes later on an even-strength goal. Sophomore center Ryan Jaros (Portage, Mich.) and senior defenseman Austin Ieuter (Midland, Mich.) were credited with assists.

Junior right wing Brady Breit (Byron Center, Mich.) capped the decisive surge, scoring with 1:04 remaining in the period. Senior forward Gunnar Suidinski (Wyoming, Mich.) and Onstott were credited with assists.

Nickolaus pushed the lead to 4-0 with four minutes remaining in the second period. Sophomore left wing Cade Pratt (Byron Center, Mich.) and Jaros drew assists.

Midland cut the lead to 4-2 at 11:17 of the third period.

Pratt closed the scoring with 43 seconds remaining on a shorthanded, empty-net goal assisted by Jaros and Nickolaus.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sebastian Wigfield (Blue Hill, Maine) made 33 saves.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Brady Breit: RW; 6' 2"; Junior

#18 Austin Ieuter: D; 6' 0"; Senior; Business

#13 Ryan Jaros: C; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#17 Jake Onstott: C; 5' 11"; Senior; Business

#15 Cade Pratt: LW; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#21 Gunnar Suidinski: F; 5' 9"; Senior; Biology

#33 Sebastian Wigfield: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore; Psychology

#11 Trevor Davis: D; 6' 3"; Junior

#12 Logan Nickolaus: C; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#10 Brady Breit
: 6' 2"; Junior
: RW

#18 Austin Ieuter
: 6' 0"; Senior; Business
: D

#13 Ryan Jaros
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: C

#17 Jake Onstott
: 5' 11"; Senior; Business
: C

#15 Cade Pratt
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: LW

#21 Gunnar Suidinski
: 5' 9"; Senior; Biology
: F

#33 Sebastian Wigfield
: 6' 4"; Sophomore; Psychology
: G

#11 Trevor Davis
: 6' 3"; Junior
: D

#12 Logan Nickolaus
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: C