Hockey at Home to Battle Nebraska
- Posted Friday, January 28, 2022
THE GAME
The Dordt Defenders are scheduled to face Nebraska in a battle between top-20 ACHA teams this weekend. Friday's opening faceoff is set for 7:00 PM with Saturday scheduled for a 1:00 PM start. Both games will be held at Vernon Arena in Sioux Center.
COVERAGE
Follow the game live online at the following links:
Dordt Media Network Livestream (Friday) (Saturday)
NEBRASKA
Nebraska currently sits with a record of 13-5-1 for 27 points. The Huskers are rated 14th in the ACHA according to the most recent poll. Evan Detina, Cody Walters, and Brendan Hill each have 15 goals to lead the team. Detina has 30 points on the season, and Stephen Doll is the leading assist-getter with 16. Nebraska has four players with double-digit goals this season. Bennett Stanchfield and Alex Kopf have split time in goal with 10 starts each. Stanchfield is 7-1-1 with a 3.02 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Kopf has allowed 4.48 goals per game with a .881 save percentage.
DORDT
The Defenders are ranked 18th in the ACHA Top-25, holding a 13-5-0 record and 27 points. Noah Wilmes has scored 17 goals to lead the team. Kyle Espenson has the most points on the team with 28, coming off of 17 assists and 11 goals. Hayden Stevens has had the most starts in goal with 10, compiling a 6-4 record with 3.65 goals allowed and 238 saves. Jackson Cross is 5-1 in seven starts, allowing 2.47 goals per game and maintaining a .848 save percentage.
LAST TIME
The Huskers most recently played Iowa State, splitting the weekend series. The first game, a 5-1 win for Iowa State, saw the Cyclones score three goals in the second period to separate themselves. Nebraska bounced back with a 4-2 victory on Saturday in which all four goals were scored by different players. Alex Kopf picked up the win with 34 saves.
Dordt faced Creighton on the road last weekend, going 2-0 on a forfeit decision and a 6-4 win. Noah Wilmes had a hat trick and the Defenders got out to a quick start, leading 3-0 after the first period. Creighton came as close as 5-3 in the final period, but Dordt held off the Bluejays' rally for their 12th win of the year.
THE SERIES
The Defenders and Huskers have split the season series, losing 5-0 on December 3 and picking up an 8-7 overtime win on December 4. In the win, Dordt led in shots 62-37 and scored three powerplay goals. Jonah Weems and Noah Wilmes scored two goals each, and Kyle Espenson finished with two assists and the game-winning goal. Hayden Stevens also had 30 saves.