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Late Goal Downs Cougars as Cleary Gets Swept by CUAA

Late Goal Downs Cougars as Cleary Gets Swept by CUAA
October 25, 2021

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary University Cougars hockey team hosted a "Pink Out" game on Friday evening, October 22, but the visiting Concordia University Cardinals played spoiler and used that momentum to sweep the Cougars over two games this past weekend.

In Game 1:  Wes Smith got the Cougars on the board first with a beautiful shot into the upper right corner of the net to take an early 1-0 lead, with an assist from Jonny Gardiner.  Concordia would answer just a couple minutes later to tie, which gave Jonny Gardiner an opportunity to retake the lead on a goal with assists from Devon Campbell and Colby Krupp.  Cleary would take the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
A shorthanded goal by the Cardinals equalized to make the game 2-2.  With just over 6 minutes left in the period, Cleary's Zach Eakes would win a faceoff and put it in net himself to take a 3-2 lead, but the Cardinals would once again find an answer in the final minutes to tie the game at 3-3 after 2 periods played. 
The 3rd period was back and forth with both teams trying to break through, but it would be Concordia who would get that breakthrough, as they scored the final period's only goal with just over 5 minutes left in the game.  

Jonny Gardiner had a goal and an assist in the game, while Tyler Krasofsky made 24 saves on 28 shots.

In Game 2:  Concordia jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first period of play, but Cleary would get one back on a power play goal in the second period by Colby Krupp, assisted by Jonny Gardiner and Zach Perry to make it 3-1.  That score would hold until the 3rd period when Concordia regained their 3 goal lead just 5 minutes into the final period.  Zach Eakes would score, with assists by Ben Gledhow and Jonny Gardiner, to make it 4-2, but Concordia would answer once more to seal the victory.

Koby Kebbe made 33 saves on 38 shots in goal for Cleary.

With the losses, the Cougars drop to 1-7, 0-6 in WHAC play.  Cleary will be back in action this Friday, October 29, when they host the Rochester Warriors at 5:00 pm at 140 Ice Den, and on Saturday, October 30, when they make the return trip at 1:30 pm to complete the series against the Warriors.