Cougars Breeze Past Warriors in WHAC Weekend Opener

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars ACHA Hockey team opened up WHAC Conference play this weekend against the Rochester Christian University Warriors. Cleary would dominate both games winning 8-1 and 14-3. 

In Game 1 at Rochester Christian:

The Cougars got shots to hit the back of the net early opening the game with 5 goals in the first period. Steven Miller, JC Garbacik, Zane Rydel, Zach Eakes, and Bennett Sheppard were responsible for the 5 goals. Rochester Christian would score their only goal of the night in the first period on a powerplay goal. The Cougars would tack on two more goals in the second period. JC Garbacik scored his second goal of the game while the Cougars were shorthanded on a penalty kill. Wes Smith scored later in the second period on a power play. Devon Campbell would later add to the scoring in the third period with a powerplay goal. The Cougars went on to win 8-1 on the opening night of WHAC Conference play. 

Nick Meyering (2-1) would start in goal for the Cougars making 28 saves on 29 shots. 

In Game 2 vs Rochester Christian:

Just 1:03 into the game the Cougars proved it would be their game as Zach Eakes found the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead. Cougars JC Garbacik, Wayne Taiman, and Wes Smith would add on to the early lead making it 4-0 after one period of play. Rochester Christian showed some spark coming into the second period as they would make it a 4-2 game within the first five minutes of the second period. The Cougar's defense would settle back into the game as just one minute later Dylan Tammadge found the back of the net making it 5-2. Just when it seemed like both teams decided to settle in, the Cougars would go on and add 5 more goals in a four-minute span. The Cougars added two more goals in the final minute of the period and headed into the third period with a controlling 12-2 lead. The Cougars added two more goals in the third period before Rochester Christian added a last-minute goal. 

Vincent Parent (2-2) would start in goal for the Cougars and make 16 saves on 18 shots in two periods of play. Nick Schittenhelm would play in the third period and make 5 saves on 6 shots. Wes Smith and Dylan Tammadge would both finish with 3 goals and 1 assist in this game. 

Cleary is now 5-3 on the season and 2-0 in WHAC Conference play. They will look to keep the offense going next weekend with a series against Indiana Tech. The Cougars will be home for the Friday game, puck drop is set for 7:30 PM.