From Mark McKenzie

BISMARCK, ND. (NewsDakota.com) – For the first time in 27 years, the Blue Jay boys hockey team has won a conference title.

Jamestown blasted Bismarck Friday night in the Capital City 8-1 to clinch the top seed for the West Region Tournament next week in Bismarck.

The Jays scored five goals in the final 2:18 of the first period to blow the game wide open. The flurry began when Junior Nolan Nenow scored a power play goal at the 14:42 mark, his 26th of the season.  Nenow struck again 37 seconds later to make it 2-0 when he split between a couple of Demon defensemen and backhanded home his 27th of the season. Nenow leads the state in scoring and finished the night with five points as he also dished out three assists.

Senior Hunter Nelson buried his 16th and 17th goals of the season, Senior Joe Cummings tallied his 10th of the season, Senior Zach Lunde knocked in his 7th, Junior Brooks Roaldson ripped in his 11th, and Junior Conner McLachlan snapped in his 5th. The Jays finished the night with four power play goals.

Senior Goalie Brode Hillstrom turned in another solid performance between the pipes.

The Jays are the hottest team in the state with a 13-1 record in its last 14 games including 11 wins in a row versus West Region teams. Jamestown avenged a loss from earlier this season to the Demons 4-3.

Next up is the West Region Tournament next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Bismarck. Jamestown takes a 17-4 record into the postseason and needs two wins in the tourney to gain a state tournament berth. The Jays will play their opening round game at 11:00 AM on February 17th.