ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's hockey team finished the sweep over Marian University with a 6-4 victory on senior day. Three seniors combined for the game winning goal late in the third period, with Jack Cooper serving as the scorer.
The Sabres struck first in the contest, scoring the opening goal of the game in the fourth minute of play.
That lead lasted just four minutes as the Thunder offense found their rhythm and scored three straight to finish out the first period. Alexander Babich scored the first goal for the home team converting on a power play chance. Sam Antenucci started the play by digging the puck out of the corner and poking a pass to Brody Simko. The freshman spun on the spot and whipped a pass to the far side of the goal where Babich was waiting.
Trine took their own lead in the 12th minute of the game, with another power play tally. Drew Jeffers passed the puck to Antenucci at the top of the far circle. The senior wasted no time firing a pass to the bottom of the same circle where Cooper was set up. The quick passing left the Marian goalie out of position and gave the team an easy goal.
The final goal of the period came just after the completion of a penalty kill by the Thunder. Luke deVries left the box and nabbed a loose puck just inside the defensive zone. He curled back toward center ice and passed it up to Jeffers who carried the puck into the offensive zone. He made one pass through the slot, giving Max Marquette the chance to shoot on the stick side of the goalie for the score.
Despite the heavy deficit, the Sabres weren't easily put down. They scored the lone goal of the second to cut the deficit to one for the start of the third. They added a third goal just 61 seconds into the final stanza.
Trine converted on their third power play of the game to retake the lead. This time it was Josh Wright making a crossing pass to Michael DiPietra who made a second pass to the backside of the net. Douglas Andersson slammed the puck home for the 4-3 score.
Again, Marian responded. They found the back of the net in the 15th minute of the period tying the game at four. It ended up being the final tie of the contest.
Trine scored the ultimate game winner just into the 19th minute of the period. In transition Wright fired the puck toward the net from the top of the near circle. Antenucci tipped the puck more directly into the pads of the goalie, who couldn't quite cover it and end the play. Cooper drove the net and pushed the puck over the line for the tally.
Trine iced the game a minute later to make the score the 6-4 final. Brendan Hill harassed the defense behind the net, causing a turnover before passing the puck back to the high slot. Marquette was waiting and ready to flip the puck over the goalie and into the net.
The wins secure the team at least a fourth-place finish in the conference standings and a home series for the opening round of the Harris Cup Playoffs. The Thunder can still take the top seed in those playoffs but will need a perfect final series of the year. If they can take all six points from Adrian College next weekend they would tie atop the conference standings, while holding the tiebreaking head-to-head record.
The Thunder improve to 15-6-2 overall and 11-3-2 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA). They will play their first game against the Bulldogs on Friday, February 13 at 7 p.m. They return home for the final game of the regular season on Saturday, February 14, also at 7 p.m.
