ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's hockey team is just one win away from their third straight Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) Harris Cup Playoff semifinal game after defeating visiting Marian (Wis.) University by the score of 5-0.
The Thunder seemed ready to run away with the contest from the get-go, scoring just 24 seconds into the contest. Drew Welsch kept the puck along the boards before passing it to Michael DiPietra who skated toward the crease before laying it back to the point. Blake Tierney fired his shot from distance, still finding the back of the net.
The goal was the lone of the first period with the Sabre's defense settling in and the Trine offense cooling off. That changed back in favor of the home side early in the second period. This time it was Drew Jeffers who interrupted the Marian flow, coming up with an interception in the defensive zone. Welsch collected the loose puck and found Sam Antenucci along the walls. The junior worked around the back line of the attacking Sabres and went the length of the ice for the goal.
The Thunder doubled down later in the period. Welsch started the play again, for his game-high third assist, passing the puck to the board by the far circle. DiPietra was there for the reception before stringing a pass through the center of the ice and finding Josh Wright on the near side of the ice where he scored. The goal gave the team a 3-0 lead for the second intermission.
Neither team scored through much of the second period and Marian eventually, desperate for a spark of offense, pulled their goalie after a Thunder penalty in the waning minutes of the game. Trine made them pay for the gamble, scoring a shorthanded, empty net goal in the 18th minute of play. Brendan Hill scored with Tyler Fox and Tim Organ adding assists.
The home side scored one more time, just 20 seconds later. This time Kyle Watson found the back of the net with Tyler Blanchard and Bobby Price adding assists.
Ronnie Petrucci remained unbeaten as a starter with his first shutout as a member of the Thunder. His fourth start ended with a 19 saves performance.
The team improves to 19-5-2 overall following the win. More importantly, they need only avoid a loss in their second game against Marian to advance to the semifinal round. Should the Sabres flip the script instead, the teams would follow their game tomorrow, Saturday, February 22, with a mini game to serve as a tiebreaker. Game two is scheduled for 4 p.m.
