ANGOLA, Ind. - The Trine University ACHA D2 men's hockey team turned in a strong weekend performance, picking up back-to-back victories over Indiana Tech building early-season momentum with the series sweep.

The Thunder opened the weekend with a dominant 3–0 victory, fueled by timely scoring and a steady defensive presence.

Junior defenseman Blake Polifka put the Thunder on the board in the first period with a power-play marker, assisted by junior forward Joshua Danielowski.

Just past the midway point of the second frame, senior defenseman Nate Rider extended the lead to 2–0 with an unassisted goal, giving the Thunder full control heading into the final twenty minutes.

In the third period, senior forward Chancellor Coger sealed the win with a statement goal, assisted by sophomore forward Andrew Kieffer and sophomore defenseman Mario Mendez, who recorded his first collegiate point on the play.
Senior goaltender Ian Young stopped all 20 shots he faced to earn his first shutout of the season, and the second overall for Thunder goaltending this year.

The first period was scoreless on Saturday with Indiana Tech opening the scoring in the second with an even-strength goal. The first deficit sparked the offense for the Thunder who exploded offensively to take back the lead.
Freshman forward Tyler Riegle evened the game with his first collegiate goal, assisted by freshman Trenton Gebben-Thompson and sophomore defenseman Ethan Ruggeri.

Just 28 seconds later, junior forward Jordan Griffin found the back of the net for his first collegiate goal, assisted once again by Ruggeri and Riegle.
Midway through the period, Danielowski added to the tally with a shorthanded goal, assisted by Ruggeri, to make it 3–1 Thunder.

With seconds remaining in the frame, Coger capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play, assisted by junior forward Adam Brown, extending the lead to 4–1 heading into the intermission.

Indiana Tech battled back with two goals in the third period, but the Thunder responded late as Riegle netted his second goal of the game off assists from senior defensemen Jack Parks and Rider, sealing the 5–3 victory and weekend sweep.

Junior goaltender Lucas Henderson earned the win in net, stopping 18 of 21 shots to close out a successful two-game set for the Thunder.

The pair of wins gives Trine three for the young season. They will next take the ice on the road when they travel to face Schoolcraft College on Friday, October 10. The Ocelots will make the return trip on Saturday, October 11 with opening drop scheduled for 3 p.m. in Thunder Ice Arena.