ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's hockey team came up just shy of visiting Bethel University, despite a hat trick performance by Brody Simko. The Royals took the game 5-4 in overtime.
Bethel built an early lead in the contest, scoring two goals in the first seven minutes of play. Simko netted his first of the day in the tenth minute of the period, with Parker Newman and Alexander Babich adding assists.
The Royals extended their lead in the second, before Trine roared back with two goals of their own. Simko scored once more, with Babich and Logan Furstenau adding assists. Lem Vardy tied the game in the 13th minute of the period with an unassisted effort.
The teams traded goals in the third, with Simko finishing his hat trick in the ninth minute. Babich and Newman once again added assists.
The score remained tied at four at the conclusion of regulation, with the Thunder special teams coming up huge in the waning minutes. Trine took a penalty in the 18th minute of the period, and killed it off through the beginning of overtime.
Another penalty ended up being the difference maker in the final minutes of overtime. The Royals converted on the four-on-three power play with a game winning tally.
Ronnie Petrucci played most of the game in net for the team and ended up as the goalie of record. He finished with 29 saves while allowing the three goals.
Trine falls to 1-1 overall after the loss. They will continue the season when they host Lawrence University for their Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) opener. Game one of the series is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13.
