ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's hockey team overcame a slow start, scoring three goals in the third period to defeat Marian University 4-1 in game one of the weekend doubleheader.
Trine struck first in the contest, taking advantage of a Marian penalty in the first period. After struggling to keep the puck in the offensive zone for half of the power play, the Thunder special teams finally got set up on the attack. After moving the puck around the ice, Sam Antenucci and Drew Jeffers made a few quick passes back and forth at the point. Jeffers eventually fired a shot on goal from the top of the near faceoff circle. The opposing goalie failed to cover the puck and Brody Simko kept it in the crease where Jack Cooper knocked it home.
The Thunder only took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission despite a slight edge on shots during the period. Shots were 8-5 during the stanza.
The second saw both teams with six shots on goal, but the Sabres made one of them count. Taking advantage of a power play of their own they tied the game in the 18th minute of the period. The visitors then held off the first minute of a power play to take the 1-1 score into the second intermission.
The rest of that power play came off the clock in the third, but not before the Thunder retook the lead. With seconds remaining in the penalty, Jeffers banked the puck into the offensive zone, looking to secure a final change. The Marian defender fumbled the puck and Michael DiPietra was able to regain possession for a final push. He made a pass to his left, around the final defender, to Logan Furstenau who sniped a wrist shot into the top of the net.
Trine added an insurance goal in the 12h minute of the third, once again with on the power play. Once again Jeffers started the play with a shot that the Marian goalie left in front of him. Simko was waiting just outside the crease but couldn't quite make a shot attempt through the traffic. He did keep it close, letting Alexander Babich score when some space opened up on the near side of the net.
The Thunder finished off the scoring four minutes later. Kyle DeMarco handed the puck off to Antenucci behind the net before the senior went the length of the ice, chipping the puck to the far boards just outside the blueline. He caught up with the loose puck and ripped a pass to the front of the net, where Evan Carroll was waiting to chip it home.
The 4-1 score went final four minutes later. Peyton Grainer picked up the win in net for Trine. He finished the game with 15 saves and just the one goal against.
The Thunder improve to 14-6-2 overall and 10-3-2 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play. They will look for the sweep tomorrow, Saturday, February 6. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m.
