The DCB Men's Hockey team needed a big weekend in Colorado to improve the playoff stock and they did just that winning three of four games.
Loss 3-0 Colorado
In their first action of the weekend the Jacks fell 3-0 to the Buffaloes of Colorado. Heading into the contest the Buffaloes were ranked 16th in the ACHA West Region rankings whereas the Lumberjacks sat 10th. In the game the Jacks simply struggled to get anything to get in the net despite outshooting Colorado 49-29 DCB was unable to muster a goal.
Win 6-2 Northern Arizona
In a battle of the Lumberjacks DCB looked to bounce back against Northern Arizona University. The Jacks got their offense going right away Saturday when Zach Diehl net his first goal as Lumberjack unassisted just three minutes into the game. Seven minutes later Leighton Holstein netted his own unassisted goal while the Jacks were shorthanded. After one period DCB held a 12-9 shots on goal advantage over NAU. The Lumberjacks from Northern Arizona cut the lead in half early in the second period and were able to tie the game later in the period. Just two minutes into the final period of play Holstein lit the lamp for the second time in the game to give DCB the lead back, Riley Opperude and Tyson Pringle were credited with assists. Ryan Patterson pushed the lead to 4-2 just two and a half minutes later. Leighton Holstein netted his third goal for a hat trick with less than six minutes to play in the game, Pringle picked up his second assist of the game. Matt Olson added a powerplay insurance goal late and Pringle picked up his third assist of the game. DCB went on to win by a final score of 6-2. Billy Patmore picked up the win in net.
Win 2-1 Metro State Denver
Neither team was able to find the net in the first period. The Roadrunners held a 12-5 shots on goal advantage after the first twenty minutes of play. Just past the halfway point in the second period DCB opened up the scoring when Ryan Patterson found the back of the net Zach Diehl picked up an assist. Metro State Denver tied the game late in the second period and held a 29-12 shots on goal advantage as the teams prepared for the final period of play. Sixty minutes was not enough time to decide this one as neither team scored in the third period forcing overtime. Early in the extra period, Phillip Parisien scored to give the Jacks the win 2-1. This was a big win for DCB as the Roadrunners came into the contest ranked 5th in the ACHA West Region Rankings.
Win 3-0 Weber State
Ryan Patterson got the scoring going less than three minutes into the game with an unassisted goal. Patterson then netted his second unassisted goal less than a minute into the second period. And Fabian Vik closed out the scoring with five minutes to go in the second period. The Jacks defense held strong for allowing just 21 shots on goal for the Wildcats and goalie Mason Matthew was perfect in net picking up his second shutout of the season. Weber State came into the contest ranked 7th in the West Region Rankings.
Here is what Coach Rybchinski had to say about the weekend. "We got better every game, and I was really happy with the final two games. Guys were locked in on coverage and really worked their tails off. It was a big weekend to win three against our west counterparts. The rankings are tight, and we didn't want to lose any ground. We also wanted to show teams that we are a good team."
With this weekend results the Jacks move to 7-13-0-2 overall. DCB is back in action when they travel to take on ACHA D1 Minot State Sunday. Puck drop is set for 4:00p.m.