CANTON, N.Y. – An explosive last 21 minutes led the Trine University men's hockey team to their first victory of the season. They defeated Misericordia University 5-1, with all five of their goals coming in those final minutes.
After the first and most of the second went scoreless for both teams, the Thunder found the back of the net in 40th minute of the contest. Alexander Babich came up with the puck along the near boards passing it to the high slot where Logan Furstenau was waiting to fire a shot toward net. The goalie made the save for the Cougars, but the puck bounced straight up landing in the crease. Douglas Andersson poked the lose puck home from the near side.
The goal gave the team a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission.
The team built on that momentum in the third, beginning in the third minute. Luke deVries passed the puck to the top of the far circle where Furstenau fired a shot wide that snuck through the crease and by the goalie to the near side. Andersson collected it and passed it back to Furstenau who's second shot was on target.
Just under a minute later Trine scored again. This time Brody Simko started the play in the defensive zone, popping the puck into the neutral zone where Trayce Johnson found it. Johnson skated the length of the ice. He was tied up behind the net for a moment before pulling free and passing it to the far circle. Sam Antenucci had trailed the play perfectly and was waiting to score the goal.
The 3-0 lead lasted just 17 seconds, when Misericordia responded with their first goal of the season.
The flurry of goals continued with the Thunder scoring two minutes later. Simko started the play again from the defensive zone. He handed the puck off to Sean Henry in the far corner before he in turn threw it up the ice. Brendan Finn received the pass and weaved his way through the defense before flicking the puck by the glove side of the Cougars' goalie.
Trine added one more to their tally in the 14th minute of the period. This time Nick White caused a turnover near the defensive blueline. He collected the loose puck himself to create a breakaway chance. He deked to the stick side of the goal and slide the puck into the net.
The six goals were all scored in a 14 minute stretch beginning in the final seconds of the second period. The final seven minutes were scoreless again and the 5-1 tally went final.
Junior Peyton Grainer, a new addition to the team via transfer, made the start in net for the Thunder. He finished the game with 15 saves on the way to the win.
Trine ends the weekend with a 1-1 record. They will open Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play in their next game. They are set to travel to face Concordia University Wisconsin on Friday, November 7. First drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.
