(Tuesday, February 24; Sioux Center, Iowa) The Dordt Defender hockey team's Tim Nanson (Freshman; Fergus Falls, Minnesota) was named the Most Valuable Player of the MACHA Silver Tournament after helping the Defenders to the tournament title on Monday, February 23.

The Defenders secured three wins over Olivet Nazarene (6-1), Arkansas (5-1), and Nebraska-Omaha (2-0) to earn their second straight MACHA Tournament Championship. Nanson played all 180 minutes in goal and made 89 saves for a .978 save percentage and a 0.67 goals-against average. In the shutout win over Nebraska-Omaha, Nanson made 38 saves, with the Defenders scoring the first goal five minutes into the third period.

This season, Nanson is 15-2 in goal with eight shutouts and four additional games in which he allowed just one goal. He has a 1.11 goals-against average and has made 342 saves for a .950 save percentage.

The Defenders have advanced to their fifth ACHA Division III National Tournament and will open play on March 18 with three pool play contests on successive days. The semifinals will be played on March 21.