ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's ACHA D2 hockey team swept visiting the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, winning 9-2 on Friday and 6-3 on Saturday.
The Thunder offense rolled on Friday with the team scoring the first seven goals of the contest before ultimately coming away with the 9-2 victory in the contest. Senior forward Braeden Pearl (Vankleek Hill, Ontario) led the way offensively for the team finishing the game with three goals and one assist. Sophomore Niccolo Mombelli (Solothurn, Switzerland) also made a splash for the team leading the way with three assists in the contest.
In goal, sophomore Vinny Evans (Pittsburgh, Pa.) came away with the win for the Thunder behind a 26-save night.
On Saturday, the team faced a heavier challenge form the opposition despite the lopsided final score. Trine once again started the scoring coming away with two goals in the first. The second period started with a quick goal from the Blugolds followed by two more Thunder tallies giving the home side a 4-1 lead heading into the third and final period. Two straight goals by Eau Claire once again closed the gap to one at 4-3 midway through the third, but the Thunder pulled away with the final two goals of the contest for the 6-3 win.
Once again Pearl led the way for the Thunder finishing the contest with two goals and an assist. Joining him with a team-high points total, also with two goals and an assist, was junior Joe Laskero (Orland Park, Ill.).
In goal, freshman James Fry (Columbus, Ind.) came away with the win for Trine. He finished the game with 28 saves.
The Thunder improve to 11-6 following the pair of victories. They will not take the ice again until the New Year when they travel to face Oakland University on Friday, January 11 at 7:15 p.m.