DHS topple Braves for third straight win

Following a four-goal second period, it's safe to say Kuntz' message was duly noted.

Sophomore forward Joseph Pavek and junior forward Cody Shepard each had two goals and an assist as the Midgets defeated Bottineau-Rugby 7-1 on Saturday, Jan. 20 from the West River Ice Center.

"We really challenged the boys after the first period," Kuntz said. "Told them before the game if you let Bottineau gain some confidence, they're going to make it tough on you. I thought we came out really flat. We went in the locker room and challenged them after the first, hoping that they would come out with some jump and I love the way they responded with communication, winning puck races, just doing the little things that we need to do be successful."

Just two minutes into game action, after a battle on the boards in the Midgets offensive zone, Pavek recovered the loose puck behind the net. With Braves sophomore goalkeeper Adam Lorenz expecting the puck to be brought around to his left, Pavek instead swooped to his right, jamming in the game's first goal while Lorenz' head was turned.

Four minutes into the next period, Shepard scored on a rebound following a blast from the point from sophomore defender Jaren Hughlen. The floodgates soon opened up.

Pavek again lit up the scoreboard after stealing the puck from senior defender Alexander Hoffert in the Braves defensive zone and beating Lorenz with a wrister unassisted.

Twenty-six seconds later, Shepard assisted on a goal from junior forward Brayden Groll. Shepard added the fourth DHS tally in the period on the power play.

Meanwhile, Dickinson's best defense was their offense. Action on one side of the ice resulted Bottineau-Rubgy not firing their first shot on goal in the second frame until 13 minutes ticked off the clock. The Braves only other shot in the period did result in a goal on a slapper from senior defender Nathaniel Haman.

"They really got after us there," Braves head coach David Hoff said. "I think we got outshot 16-2 in that period after a pretty decent first period. We play a lot of periods between the varsity and junior varsity. I don't know how that affects us, but whatever it was, the bottle line is you got to tip your hat to them because they really got after us....they kind of imposed their will on us, especially during the second period."

Shepard was whistled for a five-minute major for boarding early into the third. However, the Midgets penalty kill was solid, keeping the Braves off of the board. They would further build their advantage later in period with goals from senior forward Peter Pavek and senior defender Logan Karsky.

During an early December contest at Bottineau-Rugby, Kuntz was upset with his players after they allowed the Braves cut into their large lead. That performance did not repeat itself.

"Our penalty kill in the third, I don't think we let them set up for more than 10 or 15 seconds," Kuntz said. "We won races. It's all about desire, heart and desire. Will beats skill 99 percent of the time. For or us to not let up and not give some up at the end there, it's just the will. It's the character of the boys that says 'no, not today.' We want a statement win, we want a big win, and we aren't going to let you back in it, so I'm very proud of them for that."

Dickinson outshot Bottineau-Rugby 38-12. Lorenz had 31 saves while counterpart junior goaltender Jarin Naab needed only 11 stops for his third win of the season. Despite the limited activity, Naab stayed locked in.

"I always like to set goals with myself throughout the period," Naab said. "I like to skate around after every single stoppage of play, just to always remind myself that this is your game and to always play your game."

Winners in their last three games, the Midgets are hitting their stride as they creep closer to regionals.

"We're just getting into the deep part of the season and a lot of the guys are bonding pretty well, Peter Pavek said. "We're making good plays and communicating well."

Dickinson entered Saturday's contest with 15 points, deadlocked in a three-way tie with Jamestown and Minot for third place in the West Region. With standings so close, the Midgets are playing with a postseason mentality.

"We've told the boys that our West Region tournament already started," Kuntz said. "When we lost to Jamestown 2-1, we told the boys, 'Hey, our West Region starts right now' because those are three points that we did not get and felt that we earned. We control our own destiny. Where do we want end up in the standings. There's points out there for us to get. We'll take it game by game, but our tournament is already underway."

Dickinson 7, Bottineau-Rugby 1

BR 0 1 0 — 1

D 1 4 2 — 7

FIRST PERIOD: 1, D, Joseph Pavek (Brayden Urlacher), 2:25.

SECOND PERIOD: 1, D, Cody Shepard (Jared Hugelen), 4:27, 2, D, Joseph Pavek, 9:22. 3, D, Brayden Groll (Cody Shepard), 9:48. 4, D, Cody Shepard (Ryan Bren, Brayden Groll), 11:43. 5, BR, Nathaniel Haman, 15:38.

THIRD PERIOD: 1, D, Peter Pavek (Chris Zubke, Joseph Pavek), 7:02. 2, D, Logan Karsky (Drew Halsey, Dylan Pokorny), 12:12.

SAVES: BR, Adam Lorenz 9-12-10—31. D, Jarin Naab 5-1-5—11.