UPDATE: The Dickinson Mavericks faced a tough defeat against the Jamestown Blue Jays, losing 5-3 on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the West River Ice Center. This loss comes just one day after the Mavericks squandered a 3-0 lead against Fargo Davies, leading to a frustrating weekend.
The Mavericks struggled with their penalty kill and spent too much time in their own defensive zone. Despite showing glimpses of strong play and a late-game surge, they were unable to overcome the Blue Jays, who capitalized on critical moments throughout the match. Head coach Lance Knudson expressed disappointment, stating, “We were off as a team today. We didn’t play our best hockey coming off an emotional loss yesterday.”
The game started with the Blue Jays striking first on a power play at 8:59 of the first period. However, the Mavericks responded with a power-play goal of their own when Gabi Sobolik netted her seventh goal of the season. Freshman forward KeAna Hendrickson set up the goal, marking a strong play as Sobolik converted the third-chance opportunity.
In a notable personal achievement, senior forward Kyndall Peterson reached a significant milestone by recording her 100th career point during the game. She later scored her 50th career goal with an extra attacker in the third period, highlighting her consistent performance and dedication. “You know what you’re gonna get from her on the ice,” Knudson praised.
Despite a spirited effort, the Mavericks found themselves in trouble during the second period, allowing Jamestown to control the pace. Freshman goaltender Kahlan Lopez made several crucial saves, including a remarkable stop on a breakaway, but ultimately, the Blue Jays took advantage of a line change and scored two goals before the end of the second period.
Jamestown extended their lead to 4-1 early in the third, taking full advantage of a power-play opportunity. This marked the third consecutive game where the Mavericks allowed a power-play goal, a trend that concerns Knudson. “Usually our penalty kill is a pretty big asset for us as a team. This year it has not been,” he noted, emphasizing the need for improvement.
The Mavericks attempted to rally back, with Mya Hilton cutting the deficit with a stunning goal from the faceoff circle. However, the comeback fell short, leaving Dickinson with a record of 3-7-0, 1-7-1 this season.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks have two crucial games this week, starting with a road match against Minot United on Tuesday, January 6, followed by a home game against Williston on Thursday, January 8. “It seems like we kind of let six points get away from us this weekend,” Knudson said, stressing the importance of upcoming matches.
As the Mavericks regroup and prepare for their next challenges, fans remain hopeful for a resurgence in their performance. The urgency to reclaim lost points is palpable, as every game counts in the short high school hockey season.
