Cougars' Hat Trick and Shutout Mark Successful Weekend Against Concordia

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars ACHA Hockey team took on the Cardinals of Concordia University this weekend for a WHAC matchup. The Cougars would pull away with two wins this weekend with the second game being a clean sheet. 

In Game 1 vs Concordia:

Both teams came out to a slow defensive start but the Cougars would strike first. Dylan Tammadge found the back of the net for his first goal of the night with assists from Bennett Sheppard and Steven Miller. Concordia would tie things up just a few minutes later. With one second left in the first period, Dylan Tammadge found the back of the net again with assists from Steven Miller and Justin Reddy. Concordia came out of the gates in the second period tying the game at 2-2. Steven Miller got the lead back for the Cougars making it 3-2, however, a Cougar penalty would allow the Cardinals to tie it back up just two minutes later. Dylan Tammadge would not allow a tie game heading into the third period as he scored his third goal of the night for a hat trick late in the second. The third period proved to be much of a defensive battle with teams trading off shots. With roughly six minutes remaining, JC Garbacik gave the Cougars a much-needed insurance goal to ease the pressure and allow the Cougars to go home with a 5-3 win. 

Vincent Parent (3-3) started in goal for the Cougars making 22 saves on 25 shots. Dylan Tammadge recorded a hat trick with his 3 goals. Bennett Shepard would have 3 assists in the game as well. 

In Game 2 at Concordia:

Both teams shared a defensive battle once again as there would be very little action in the first period. The Cougars would take 9 shots to Concordia's 6 with only one penalty. The Cougars would open the game up in the second period with three goals in a three-minute span. The first would come from Collin Kerchoff with assists from Wes Smith and Landen Engles. Steven Miller and Devon Campbell would score the next two goals. In the third period, Zane Rydel would score on the power play with an assist from Collin Kerchoff. The Cougars would go on to win with a 4-0 clean sheet on the night. 

Nick Meyering (3-2) would start in goal for the Cougars making 15 saves on 15 shots. Cleary would only commit one penalty and outshoot Concordia in this game 37-15. 

Cleary is now 7-5 on the season and 4-2 in WHAC Conference play. They hit the rink again next weekend with a matchup against the Aquinas University Saints. Friday night's game will be played at Aquinas with a start time of 7:40 PM. Saturday's game at 140 Ice Den will start at 5:00 PM.