SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario – The Trine University men's ACHA D2 hockey team traveled to face Sault College this past weekend in a pair of contests looking for redemption following the Cougar's trip to Angola earlier this year. They returned home with a pair of victories.
On Friday, the Thunder struck first with senior Dante Suffredini (Washington Township, Mich.) coming up with the goal in the 12th minute of play.
The lead ended up being a relatively short one with Sault coming away with two goals of their own in the final four minutes of the period and taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Cougars added to the lead with another goal in the 16th minute of the second period. But from their the Thunder took over scoring three goals in the second, two coming just eight seconds apart, and two in the third to take the contest with a 6-3 score.
Senior Joe Laskero (Orland Park, Ill.) led the team with three points including two assists and a goal. Classmate Stan Jatczak (LaGrange Park, Ill.) had the lone multiple goal game with two in the contest.
On Saturday, the Cougars were the ones to pick up the first lead of the contest scoring in the eighth minute of the contest. Trine responded just three minutes later to draw even and the teams entered the first intermission tied, 1-1.
Sault took back the lead in the first minute of the second period and then once again the Thunder went on a run, scoring the next four goals of the contest to take a 5-2 lead. The Cougars scored one more goal in the period and Trine took a 5-3 lead into the final intermission.
The Cougars made it close in the 14th minute of the final period by scoring their final goal to pull within one at 5-4. Trine iced the contest in the final minutes with their final goal to win 6-4.
The Thunder offensive attack was a balanced one in the contest with six different members of the team scoring a goal. Three Thunder ended the contest with two points including junior Nicholas Ludeman (Heymarket, Va.) and sophomore Dakota Davis (Nashville, Tenn.) who each finished with a goal and an assist along with senior Tanner Bennett (Columbus, Ind.) who finished with two assists.
Junior Adam Conkling (Fort Wayne, Ind.) picked up both wins for the Thunder in net, playing exceptionally despite allowing the goals.
Trine improves to 3-5-1 following the victories. They continue their season with a home contest against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.