The Dutchmen posted a 2-2 record in the four-day, 16-team tournament.

Making their fourth straight trip to the national tournament, the Dutchmen have now finished second (2003), fourth (2005) and fifth twice (2004 and 2002).

The teams each scored twice in the first period, Hope's coming from senior George Dickinson (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and freshman Jonathan Shaver (Wayne, Ill.). Neither team scored in the second or third periods and the game-winner didn't come until there were 32 seconds remaining in overtime.

MIAA rival Calvin, the defending national champion, finished ninth in this year's tournament.

FRIDAY, MARCH 4
Flying Dutchmen Bow in National Semis
STATISTICS
Hope's bid to win the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division III national championship came to an end Friday night as the Flying Dutchmen bowed to Florida Gulf Coast University 6-4.

Instead, the Dutchmen will be playing for third place on Saturday against Penn State-Berks.

The top-seeded Dutchmen and third-seeded Gulf Coast exchanged goals throughout the game. The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period and 3-3 after the second. Early in the third period the teams were tied 4-4 when Gulf Coast gained the edge with a goal. The outcome was decided when the Florida scored on Hope's emptied net in the closing seconds. Hope held a 37-32 advantage in shots on goal.

Sophomore Mike Banducci (Traverse City, Mich.) scored two of Hope's goals while senior Peter Rusche (Comstock Park, Mich.) and sophomore Jeff Guy (Kalkaska, Mich.) each had one. Freshman Kevin Nelson (Winfield, Ill.) was credited with two assists while junior Kye Samuelson (Maplewood, Minn.) and freshman Jonathan Shaver (Wayne, Ill.) each had one. Freshman goalkeeper Paul Cynar (Dexter, Mich.) was credited with 28 saves.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3
Flying Dutchmen Win in Shootout
STATS NOT AVAILABLE
The Flying Dutchmen remained unbeaten at the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division III National Tournament in Pittsburgh, Pa.

After battling Wright State, Ohio to a 2-2 regulation tie and a scoreless overtime on Thursday afternoon, the Flying Dutchmen won in a five-shot shootout by a single goal (2-1).

The victory sends Hope (23-3-1)into the tournament's semi-finals on Friday night against Florida Gulf Coast University. Scoring goals in the shootout for Hope were sophomore Peter Vollbrecht (Dexter, Mich.) and junior Kye Samuelson (Maplewood, Minn.). Hope freshman goalkeeper Steve Pels (Flossmoor, Ill.) stopped four of Wright State's five shootout attempts.

Hope's goals in regulation were scored by Volbrecht and senior George Dickinson (Ann Arbor, Mich.). Sophomore Jeff Guy (Kalkaska, Mich.) assisted on both.

The tournament is being held at the Blade Runners Ice Complex in Pittsburgh. Hope is making its fourth straight trip to the national tournament. The Flying Dutchmen finished fifth at nationals in 2004 and were national runner-ups in 2003. They also finished fifth in their first appearance in 2002.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
Flying Dutchmen Open Nationals With Victory
STATISTICS
The Hope men's club ice hockey team opened play at the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division III National Tournament with a victory Wednesday, defeating the University of Texas at Austin 9-4.

The Flying Dutchmen (22-3-1) headed into the 16-team, four-day tournament top-seeded. Hope advances in the winners bracket for a Thursday game against Wright State, Ohio. Back in November Hope defeated Wright State 8-2.

The teams exchanged a pair of goals in the opening minutes of the game before Hope took control pulling to a 5-2 advantage at the end of the first period. The Flying Dutchmen scored two unanswered goals in the second period to gain a 7-2 advantage. Each team scored twice in the third period.

Six players scored for the Flying Dutchmen. Scoring two each were senior Mike Chovaz (North Muskegon, Mich.), sophomore Jeff Guy (Kalkaska, Mich.), and freshman Jonathan Shaver (Wayne, Ill.). Tallying one each were junior Zach Buchan (Cedar, Mich.), sophomore Peter Vollbrecht (Dexter, Mich.) and sophomore Chris Strauss (Barrington, Ill.).

Freshman Ryan Sweet (Salida, Calif.) was credited with three assists while Chovaz, Guy and Volbrecht each had two. Collecting an assist each were senior Peter Rusche (Comstock Park, Mich.), John Shaver, Chris Strauss, junior Kyle Samuelson (Maplewood, Minn.), senior George Dickinson (Ann Arbor, Mich.), and freshman Kevin Nelson (Winfield, Ill.).

Freshman goalkeeper Paul Cynar (Dexter, Mich.) was in the net the entire game.

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