WHS grad Benson, Dordt returning to national hockey tournament

Worthington High School graduate Andrew Benson, a Dordt University senior, is heading back to the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament.

The ACHA's Division 3 Tournament will take place March 18-22 at Maryville University Hockey Center in St. Louis, Mo. The tourney's first three days — March 18-20 — will feature teams playing one pool-play game each day.

On Wednesday the 18th, Dordt will take on the University of Nebraska at Omaha at 2 p.m. The following day, it will be the Defenders meeting Purdue University at 1:30 p.m. On Friday the 20th, Dordt will compete in its third and final pool play game against Calvin University at 8:15 p.m.

There are four pools in the tournament, and the top finisher in each pool will advance to the Final Four. Should the Defenders go as far as the Final Four, they would play a 5 p.m. semifinal game on Saturday, with the winner to play for the championship against the victor of an 8 p.m. semifinal matchup. The title game will be at 7 p.m. Sunday.

Dordt has a record of 27-3 on the season and has won eight consecutive games. Benson, a defenseman, has scored six goals and added 21 assists on the year. The Defenders are making their second consecutive trip to nationals.