The Hope College hockey team is happy to be skating at the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Division 3 Championships again after a brief absence.
Yet, this week, the Flying Dutchmen want to play in Columbus, Ohio, like they are
not satisfied with just being among the nation’s elite.
Head coach Chris VanTimmeren and Hope are looking to advance out of three days of
pool play that begins Tuesday and qualify for the March 16 national semifinals. The
top team in the Flying Dutchmen’s four-team pool advances.
“It’s always special when you get there,” said VanTimmeren, whose team returns to
nationals after a two-year absence and a string of 15 consecutive ACHA Championships
appearance was snapped in 2015.
“To be back means a lot for these guys. These seniors went as freshmen. They felt
a lot of pressure the last two years to keep that tradition of what this program is
about and back where it should be.”
Hope enters with a 21-7-2 overall record. The Flying Dutchmen beat Ferris State and
Adrian during the February 23-24 ACHA regional tournament to clinch a bid to nationals.
In pool play, Hope will face Fairfield on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast
on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., and Arkansas on Thursday at 2 p.m.
The Flying Dutchmen are led by defenseman Elliott Digison of Midland, Michigan (Midland)
and forward Garrett Gormley of Fenton, Michigan (Flint Powers Catholic).
Digison made the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference Dream Team and was a MCHC West
Division First-Team Selection.
Gormley topped Hope this season with 28 goals and 46 points. He also recorded 18 assists.
Success at nationals will be decided by who wants it more, Van Timmeren said.
“At nationals, you can throw out the records and how you did in your last game,” Van
Timmeren said. “It comes down to who has a good start and who plays a good third period.
The team who sets the tone and finishes the hardest usually is the team that ends
up winning in pool play.”
The last six national champions have come from the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference.
MCHC teams have made to the national championship game nine consecutive times, including
Hope runner-up finishes in 2014, 2011 and 2010.
Skating against top-flight competition in the MCHC helped prepare Hope for nationals,
Van Timmeren said.
“There are any easy games. When you get to regionals and nationals, you’re ready to
play,” Van Timmeren said.