Sports

Jacks get one back

By Tyler Ohmann

01/10/2012

The Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks hockey team got a win over the holiday break without even setting foot on the ice.

Due to an ineligble player on the Williston State hockey team the game the Jacks lost to the Tetons on Nov. 30 has turned from a 4-1 loss to a forfeit win.

“We finally caught a break this year and hopefully it propels some momentum for the second half. We would rather win on the ice but we will certainly take it,” Jacks Head Coach Travis Rybchinski said about gaining the win.

The Teton player was ineligible after dropping two classes (which put him under the 12-credit minimum) without the knowledge of coaching staff, who allowed him to continue to play.

The change of outcome has left the Jacks ahead in the best of five series.

The winner of the best-of-five series will advance to the NJCAA Nationals in Rochester, N.Y.

The Jacks have won the national title eight times, including five times in the 2000s, the last coming in 2010.

The Jacks and Tetons will meet in Bottineau for the first time this season at 7:30 p.m. tonight following the Bottineau-Rugby Braves game against Bossevain.

“It is a huge game as it is the first game NJCAA game played in Bottineau since 2007 National Tournament,” Rybchinski said. “We will have to play a complete game for 60 minutes and do the little things right. The guys are looking forward to the challenge.”

The win improves DCB to 5-11-1 on the season.
The Jacks did lose to the Tetons 5-2 in the season opener on Oct. 26 in Williston, a game which did not count toward making nationals.