Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
MANDAN, N.D. – The D2 Hockey made their way Northwest for their first ACHA National Tournament since reviving the program in 2014. Their opponents were the No. 1 team in the country, the University of Mary.
 
The Marauders showed why they were the best team in the country, as they controlled the play from the get-go, en route to a tournament-opening win.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 0 – Mary 6
Shots: DU 9 | UM 54
Power Play: DU (0/1) | UM (1/2)
Records: #16 DU (0-1) | #1 UM (1-0)
 
The Marauders came ready to play, as they fired 21 shots in the first period, but despite an outstanding effort from Brenden Bogema in net, Mary would break through later in the period. Seth Cushing scored with just over a minute left in the frame to break the ice. 21 seconds later, Mary found themselves up by a pair with Riley Scanion finding the back of the net.
 
In the second, the Marauders did not let up on the attack. Just passed the halfway mark of the period, Derek Dropik extended the lead to 3-0, before Alexander Flicek scored a shorthanded goal a little over two minutes later.
 
With a 4-0 lead in the third period, Mary was able to coast the rest of the way. They were able to add to more as Johnny Witzke scored on the power play just before the halfway mark of the frame, before Flicek scored his second of the game, and DU would fall in their tournament opener by a final score of 6-0.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
DU has little time to lick their wounds, as they are right back in action on Friday to take on North Carolina State. The Icepack went 9-6-1 in the regular season, and are 1-0 in pool play after defeating University of Providence 6-4 in their first game.
 
This will be the first meeting between the two teams, and it will take place at 1 p.m. CST, once again at the Starion Sports Complex.