Hockey's Win Streak Ends at 11; Cougars Bounce Back in Game Two to Earn Weekend Split
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Team Stats
Aquinas (MI)
| Game Statistics | Aquinas (MI) | Cleary (MI) |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 0 for 2 | 0 for 4 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 5 (10) | 3 (6) |
| Shots on Goal | 31 | 44 |
| Face Offs Won | 27 | 41 |
Aquinas (MI)
| Game Statistics | Cleary (MI) | Aquinas (MI) |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPlays | 1 for 3 | 1 for 4 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 1 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 8 (35) | 7 (25) |
| Shots on Goal | 35 | 37 |
| Face Offs Won | 0 | 0 |
(Howell, MI)-- The #19-ranked Cleary Cougar hockey team returned to action after two weekends in a row of inaction, and stalled in game one before bouncing back in a big way in game two against the Aquinas College Saints.
In Game 1 vs. Aquinas: The visiting Saints would strike first halfway through the first period, as they were able to get the puck past goalie Nick Meyering to take a 1-0 lead. Cleary would outshoot the Saints 17-8 in the period, but were unable to score, and the period would end with a 1-0 score. Cleary's best chance of the game would come in the second period when Blair Krawchyk was freed for a breakaway opportunity, but his shot attempt was saved, and the score remained 1-0. On the other end, Aquinas would the back of the net once again, and the Saints would lead 2-0 heading into the final period. Still trailing 2-0 late, and desparate to get a goal on the board, Cleary pulled their goalie for an extra skater. Aquinas would capitalize, scoring an empty net goal, to take the game 3-0, and ending the Cougars' win-streak at 11 games.
Nick Meyering made 28 saves on 30 shots faced in the game while suffering his first loss of the season.
In Game 2 at Aquinas: Aquinas would score first once again, but the Cougars would answer just ten seconds later when Zane Rydel scored, with assists from Ethan Lindle and Brayden Goddard, to make it 1-1. Cleary would score two goals to start the second period, taking a 3-1 lead. Ethan Lindle would score the team's second goal, with an assist from Zane Rydel, and Braeden Bzovey scored the third goal, with assists from Blair Krawchyk and JC Garbacik. After an Aquinas goal narrowed the Cougar lead to 3-2, JC Garbacik scored the team's fourth goal on the power play, with assists from Bailey Ewonus and goalie Nick Meyering.
Leading 4-2 in the third period, Cleary made it a three-goal game when Blair Krawchyk scored an unassisted goal while the Cougars were on a penalty kill. Moments later, Aquinas would score their third and final goal to make it 5-3. Cleary would add a pair of late goals to ice the game. The sixth goal game from Ethan Lindle, with an assist from Avery Byron, and the seventh and final goal game from Dylan Tammadge, with an assist from Bennett Sheppard.
Like his teammates, Nick Meyering would bounce back in goal, making 34 saves on 37 shots faced to earn the victory.
Cleary improves to 14-2 overall (11 regulation wins, 2 regulation losses, and 3 shootout wins), and is 10-2 in the WHAC (10 regulation wins, 2 regulation losses, and 2 shootout wins).
The Cougars will be back in action for a matchup featuring two top-20 teams next weekend, when they take on the #20-ranked Davenport Panthers.
*Picture Courtesy of Bad Cat Media*
