The Dordt University hockey team rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period and scored 19 seconds into overtime to defeat Midland University 6-5 Wednesday night at Sidner Ice Arena.

The Defenders trailed 5-3 early in the third period before getting goals from Mason Carrels and Levi Loken to force overtime. Just 19 seconds into the extra period, Spejcher finished the comeback with the game-winning goal to give Dordt its first win of the 2026-27 season.

Dordt finished the night with 31 shots on goal while Midland put 56 shots on goal toward Dordt goaltender Burnett, who made 51 saves in the victory.

Dordt grabbed the early lead when Rylan Veenstra scored at the 18:53 mark of the opening period. Veenstra's goal, his third of the season, was assisted by Zach Monson and Espenson.

The Defenders carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission despite Midland holding a 17-12 advantage in shots on goal.

Midland scored twice in the opening half of the second period to take a 2-1 lead, with Dilworth scoring at 7:54 on a power play and Veenstra answering for Dordt at 9:52.

Veenstra's second goal of the night came on the power play with an assist from Reuben Horneman, giving him four goals through Dordt's first two games.

Midland then scored three straight goals to build a 5-2 advantage. Johnson scored at 13:09 and 17:45, while Dilworth added his second goal of the night at 14:43.

Dordt answered before the end of the period when Williams scored with 13 seconds remaining, assisted by Horneman and Spejcher, cutting the Midland lead to 5-3 heading into the third.

Midland extended its lead to 5-3 at 1:44 when Babb scored, but the Defenders responded with three unanswered goals to send the game to overtime.

Carrels cut into the Midland lead at 6:54 with a shorthanded goal, making the score 5-4.

Dordt continued to press and tied the game at 17:53 when Loken scored, with Doelman and Veenstra recording assists.

The Defenders held Midland scoreless over the final two-plus minutes of regulation to force overtime.

Dordt needed just 19 seconds to complete the comeback.

Spejcher scored at the 0:19 mark of the first overtime period to give the Defenders a 6-5 victory. There were no penalties in overtime.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Goals: Dordt 6, Midland 5
• Shots on goal: Midland 56, Dordt 31
• Goaltending: Burnett 51 saves on 56 Midland shots
• Overtime: Dordt won 1-0
• Dordt power-play goals: Veenstra
• Dordt shorthanded goals: Carrels

NOTABLES

Veenstra led Dordt with three points on two goals and an assist. He scored Dordt's first two goals of the night and assisted on Loken's game-tying goal.

Horneman recorded two assists, while Spejcher had a goal and an assist, including the overtime game-winner.

Dordt's six goals came from five different players: Veenstra (2), Williams, Carrels, Loken and Spejcher.

The win moves Dordt to 1-1 on the season. The Defenders opened the year with a 7-6 loss at Waldorf on September 5 before earning Wednesday night's overtime victory at Midland.

UP NEXT

Dordt begins its MACHA Silver West schedule Friday, September 18, with a road game against Nebraska in Lincoln.