PITTSTON, PA. -- The Trine men's NCAA hockey team extended their winning streak to three with a 1-0 victory over King's College in a matchup between two first-year teams. Before the holiday break, the Thunder swept a weekend doubleheader against Chatham University begin their winning ways.
The first two periods were highlighted by strong defensive efforts by both teams, as they entered the final intermission tied at zero. The Trine special teams effort in particular was impressive in the game, holding the Monarchs to 0-4 on power plays in the game. The Thunder penalty also killed off two 5-3 opportunities for the oppositions, one of which was a full two minutes.
Sophomore Brett Young (Livonia, Mich.) once again played the entire game in goal for the Thunder, finishing the game with 16 saves and his first shutout of the season. The victory is his third of the year.
It began to look like the game was destined for overtime when it remained scoreless with just five minutes remaining in regulation. But in the sixteenth minute of the final stanza, Young snagged a shot that would have missed high and dropped it to the ice. Trine newcomer, sophomore defender Dante Suffredini (Shelby Township, Mich.) collected the puck and carried out from behind the net. Suffredini passed it ahead to freshman forward Christian Karbler (Westland, Mich.) who carried it into the offensive zone before dumping it behind the Monarch's net. Sophomore forward Tanner Bennet (Columbus, Ind.) collected the loose puck and scored a wraparound goal, his third of the season and first game-winner. Karbler tallied his fourth assist and Suffredini his first on the goal.
The Thunder helped out their defense by spending much of the evening in the offensive zone outshooting the Monarch's 33-16.
Trine will look to sweep the weekend doubleheader tomorrow, January 6 at 3 p.m.