BREAKING: 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 follows a heart-wrenching 6-5 setback against Fargo Davies the previous night, leaving the Mavericks struggling to regain their momentum.
Despite a late-game surge and impressive individual performances, the Mavericks could not overcome their defensive struggles. Head coach Lance Knudson stated, “We were off as a team today. We didn’t play our best hockey coming off an emotional loss yesterday.” The Mavericks struggled notably on the penalty kill, allowing multiple power-play goals that proved crucial.
The game opened with Jamestown striking first on a power play at the 8:59 mark of the first period. However, the Mavericks responded with a strong offensive effort, highlighted by Gabi Sobolik‘s seventh goal of the season, assisted by Kyndall Peterson. This goal marked a significant achievement for Peterson, who reached her 100th career point during the match.
As the game progressed, Jamestown capitalized on a defensive lapse by Dickinson, scoring again late in the second period. A breakaway goal from Grace Allmaras extended Jamestown’s lead, putting them ahead 4-1 at one point. Although the Mavericks fought back, closing the gap with a goal from Mya Hilton, it was not enough to secure a win.
Knudson emphasized the need for improvement, particularly on special teams, stating, “Usually our penalty kill is a pretty big asset for us as a team. This year it has not been.” The Mavericks have now yielded power-play goals in three consecutive games, a worrying trend for the team moving forward.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks (3-7-0, 1-7-1) have critical matchups coming up, starting with a road game against Minot United on Tuesday, January 6, followed by a home game against Williston on Thursday, January 8. Knudson noted the urgency of these games: “We only have 13 games left this season. It makes it a lot easier if you win these.”
As the season progresses, the Mavericks will need to find consistency and put forth a stronger effort from the outset to turn their fortunes around. The clock is ticking, and every game counts as they fight to regain their footing in the league.
