FORT WAYNE, IND.- The 18th-ranked University of Michigan- Dearborn (22-13) men's ice hockey team beat the Concordia University (19-19) Cardinals 4-1 in the WHAC tournament final on Sunday (Feb. 26) afternoon. The finals win earned Dearborn its third WHAC Tournament championship. 

The Wolverines were led by WHAC Player of the Year Brendan West, who had four points on the afternoon, three assists, and one goal. Defenseman Max Hartwell got the scoring started for the Wolverines when he fired a rocket past Cardinal goalie Zachary Janis for the 1-0 lead at 16:43 of the first period. Hartwell's goal was assisted by West and forward Bailey Byrd, who also had a four-point game. 

In the second period, the Wolverines were able to extend their lead with a power play goal from Byrd, assisted by West and forward Joey Cullinan. Dearborn took a 2-0 lead into the locker room at the second intermission.  

Just one minute into the third period Cullinan scored the Wolverines' third goal of the game. The intensity started to ramp up when the Cardinal's Hunter Kepple put Concordia on the board with a goal at the 15:46 mark of the third period. However, the Cardinal comeback would be short-lived as West scored an empty netter less than two minutes later to put the Wolverines back up by three, securing the win for Dearborn. 

Goalie Eric Polzin had another strong game in net for Dearborn, saving 29 of the Cardinal's 30 shots. Polzin was a valuable part of Dearborn's championship run, allowing just three goals the entire tournament. 

Next Up

As WHAC Tournament Champions, Dearborn earns an automatic bid to the ACHA National Tournament. The tournament will be held at the New England Sports Center in Marlborough, Mass., from March 16-23, 2023. The Wolverines' first opponent is unknown at this time.