Cougar Rallies Come Up Short Against Golden Flashes
(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars hockey team fell behind in both games, but couldn't mount enough of a comeback as they fell in two games to the Kent State University Golden Flashes on Friday and Saturday evenings.
In Game 1: Cleary would get on the board first, after Jonny Gardiner slotted one home, with assists from Cam Thomas and Ben Gledhow, to make it 1-0 in the first period. Kent St. would score the next three goals over the next 20 minutes to take a 3-1 lead in the second period. Cleary's Wes Smith would answer with a power play goal, with assists from Zack Wiener and Jonny Gardiner, to narrow the gap and make it 3-2 after two periods. Cleary would continue to take control of the game, and found their equalizer when Cam Thomas scored with just under 13 minutes left to tie, with an assist from Ben Gledhow. The score would remain 3-3 for the rest of the period, and after a 5 minute overtime with no more goals scored, the teams went to a shootout. Jonny Gardiner went first in the shootout, and wasn't able to find the net, and Kent St.'s first skater would get one past Koby Kebbe. Zach Eakes and Ben Gledhow would both miss their chances to extend the shootout, and the Golden Flashes would take the game.
Koby Kebbe made 38 saves on 41 shots in the game.
In Game 2: Once again, Cleary would jump on the board first, when Cam Thomas scored just 30 seconds into the game, with an assist from Wes Smith. Kent St. would score the next three goals to take a 3-1 lead into the third period. Zach Eakes would get one back in the first minute of the third period, with assists from Ben Gledhow and Jonny Gardiner. Cleary would extend the forecheck to try and get get the equalizing goal, but in doing so, opened up opportunities for the Golden Flashes, who capitalized with an insurance goal to make it 4-2.
Tyler Krasofsky made 32 saves on 36 shots in the effort.
Cleary falls to 3-11 overall, and will be back in action next weekend when they take on the UM-Dearborn Wolverines. The Cougars will travel on Friday for a 7:00 PM puck drop, and host at the 140 Ice Den at 3:30 on Saturday, November 20.
