Box Score 1 ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's hockey team will advance to the semifinal round of the 2023 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) Harris Cup Playoffs after winning the second game and mini-game tiebreaker of their opening round series against the Milwaukee School of Engineering. The Thunder won the full game 5-3, before securing the mini-game in overtime by the score of 1-0.
Trine changed the script to start game two, scoring the first goal of the day in the ninth minute of the opening period. The goal came during a power-play opportunity after the Raiders took the first penalty of the game in the eighth minute. Working the offense in the forward zone, sophomore Bobby Price moved the puck to the point where junior Jackson Clark quickly forwarded it again. Junior Thad Marcola finally fired the shot that gave the team the lead.
A few minutes later MSOE tied the game with a power-play goal of their own, but it was a short-lived tie. In the 14th minute Clark intercepted a pass near the blueline of the offensive zone and immediately fired a blistering shot toward the net. Screened out by multiple bodies the opposition's goalie never saw the puck and Trine took the lead again at 2-1.
Another power-play gave the Thunder another goal in the middle portion of the second period. This time it was seniors Brett Piper who poked the puck toward Marcola near the front of the net. Marcola fired a shot on the goalie that bounced wide where senior Frank Trazzera fired a second shot toward the net. Once again, the Raiders' goalie made the save and once again he left the rebound bare. This time Marcola cashed in for Trine giving them a 3-1 lead.
MSOE pulled back within striking distance in the 17th minute of the period. Their second goal of the day sent the game to the final intermission with a 3-2 score.
Trine made it a two-goal deficit again in the sixth minute of the final period. Senior Brett Tierney scored the goal off of his own deflected shot. Price and senior Brendan Prappas added assists on the goal which made the score 4-2.
In the waning minutes of the game, the Raiders scored a third goal to once again cut the lead to one at 4-3. They would pull their goalie to push for a tie in the final minute, but the Thunder turned the strategy against them with an empty net goal. Junior Beau Binnie scored the goal with Trazzera and senior Brad Jenion adding assists.
The 5-3 score went final and the two teams reset for a decisive 20-minute mini-game that began under half an hour after the conclusion of game two. The Raiders seemed to find resolution in the break and came out attacking on all cylinders during the period of play. They outshot the Thunder 12-6 in the first stanza, but neither team scored.
Another intermission and the teams returned to the ice once again, this time for a 20-minute sudden-death overtime period. Once again MSOE applied the pressure, again outshooting the Thunder this time 13-6.
Trine looked in real trouble in the fifth minute when they took the first penalty of the mini-game giving the Raiders a power-play, but the special teams were up to the task killing off the advantage and extending the game.
Ten minutes later the Thunder got their own power-play, after an MSOE skater was forced to slash the puck away from a Trine skater on a breakaway. Marcola, scoring his third goal of the day, played hero just a short time later. The team quickly passed the puck through the point and to the far side of the ice where Marcola was waiting to tally the decisive goal. Piper and freshman Josh Wright added assists on the goal.
After a solid start to the night, freshman Kyle Kozma showed his mettle in the mini-game turning aside the 25 shots he faced to keep the Thunder alive. He finished the regulation game with 25 saves as well and the win.
Trine improves to 18-8-1 overall following the win. They will advance to the semifinal round and are poised to travel to Adrian College. The Thunder split the regular season doubleheader with the nationally-ranked Bulldogs, including a 6-2 win in Arrington Ice Arena. Game details will be released when available.
