The DCB Lumberjack hockey team returned to action after the holiday break to take on a familiar opponent in the top ranked University of Mary Marauders. The two teams split a pair of contests right before the break. Wednesday night the Marauders would pick up the win 4-1.
University of Mary got on the board first just four minutes into the game. The Marauders added another goal late in the first to take a 2-0 lead into the second period. After one period Mary had outshot DCB 16-12. The Jacks were able to cut the deficit in half after Leighton Holstein scored on a breakaway. Ryan Patterson and Riley Rybchinski were each credited with assists. In the final minute of the period the Marauders stretched their lead back to two goals at 3-1. After two periods Mary had a 36-20 shots on goal advantage. The Marauders added an insurance goal in the third period to win by a final score of 4-1. Mary outshot the Jacks in the contest 50-27. The Jacks were unable to capitalize on the power play going 0-5.
Here is what Coach Rybchinski had to say after the game. "We played hard and were in the game, but in the end, we made a few little mistakes, and the puck was in the back of the net. Their depth was too deep, and we didn't have any gas left for a comeback. We need to get refocused and ready for Colorado. This trip will make or break our season for playoffs.
With the loss DCB falls to 4-12-0-2. The Jacks who currently sit 10th in the ACHA West Region Rankings as of this writing will hit the road for four big road games next week taking on #16 Colorado, Northern Arizona, #5 Metro State Denver, and #7 Weber State. Stay tuned to dcbjacks.com and D