Midgets start the season off on the right blade

Nov. 30—DICKINSON — In the latter part of the 2010s, the Dickinson Midgets boys hockey team had a strong presence in the state tournament. However, their postseason success has been elusive since the 2018-19 season. The current season paints a promising picture with the team clinching victories in the initial three matches. A blend of seasoned seniors, returning players and a fresh coaching approach suggests a potential comeback to the state tournament.

In the realm of North Dakota high school hockey, the competition is fierce, especially in the eastern region where formidable powerhouses have traditionally dominated. However, Dickinson is poised to challenge the established order and bring about a shift in the prevailing paradigm.

Despite consistently holding a middle-of-the-pack position in recent years, Dickinson has maintained a resilient approach, consistently diving headfirst into the competitive fray. This accumulated experience and tenacious attitude are poised to be valuable assets as they enter the 2023-24 season.

"This head coach position is very new to me," Kass Dvorak, the Midgets head coach, said. "I am just thankful that I got some really good assistant coaches that have a lot of experience and a lot of leaders on the team that have been playing Dickinson hockey for a long time."

Dvorak's connection to the program runs deep, with the orange and black hues ingrained in the fabric of his own experiences from his adolescent years. Having navigated through the program himself, he now aspires to contribute and act as a driving force for positive change.

The Midgets boast a substantial roster with 15 seniors leading the pack, complemented by a total of 21 upperclassmen. Notably, every single one of the 22 goals scored in the three matches can be attributed to the impressive contributions of these two classes.

The season dropped the puck over the weekend as Dickinson played host to a non-conference two-game series against the Mayville-Portland Ice Dawgs. The opening act saw Dickinson secure a shutout on Friday, potting 8 biscuits. The momentum continued into Saturday's game, where Dickinson triumphed with an impressive 11-4 score, securing a resounding W on the ice.

In Friday's showdown, seniors Kasey Stengle and Kaeden Krieg showcased their offensive prowess by each sniping two goals, collectively contributing half of the Midgets' tallies. Senior Tanner Roers displayed sharp rink smarts, tallying two apples and adding an unassisted lamp-lighter to the scoreboard. Junior goalie Bryce Kadrmas, recognized as an all-region player, demonstrated his skills by stopping 23 shots, securing a shutout performance for the squad.

In Saturday's tilt, Mayville-Portland managed to find the twine, mounting a three-goal rally in the final frame. However, it proved to be a mere consolation in light of Dickinson High's dominant performance. The Midgets relentlessly attacked, peppered 46 shots on target against the Ice Dawgs' two tendys, resulting in the 11 snipes.

Dallas Schmidt, guarding the cage for Dickinson, thwarted 18 shots on goal. Impressively, 14 players from the home team contributed to the avalanche effort, highlighting the squad's depth and collaboration.

The Midgets secured their most recent victory on Tuesday against Williston, clinching a 3-1 scoreline to kick off their regular season. Notably, it was two late biscuits that sealed the deal, showcasing the team's sustained hyperactivity and aggressiveness throughout all three periods of the game.

"It really wasn't until the end," Dvorak said. " In the third period it came down to who wanted it more. Williston is a great team, but we battled hard."

The Coyotes' Chase Collings initiated the scoring in the opening minutes of the second period, maintaining their lead until the period's conclusion. However, the momentum shifted when junior Shayden Jackson-Zietz notched the tying goal, marking it as Johnson-Zietz's inaugural varsity goal.

Easton Hugelen asserted the Midgets' dominance by scoring the go-ahead goal a mere two minutes into the third period. Kaden Dvorak then sealed the victory with a short-handed goal in the dying moments of the period. The Midgets' penalty kill unit demonstrated remarkable strength and physicality, successfully fending off two penalties late in the period.

Kadrmas stopped 15 shots between the pipes.

The Dickinson Midgets are currently riding high spirits, but, as Dvorak emphasized, they're fully geared up for a challenging season ahead. Their upcoming match on Saturday, Dec. 2, will take them on the road against Bottineau-Rugby. The team will then return to their home rink on Tuesday, Dec. 5, to face the formidable Bismarck Legacy Sabers. Legacy poses a significant challenge for Dickinson, having suffered two defeats against them in the previous season, making it a crucial test for the Midgets to showcase their prowess.

"There are a lot of good teams across the WDA this year," Dvorak said. "Bottineau is going to be a hard fought battle and same with Legacy."