Thunder Shutout Foresters

Thunder Shutout Foresters

ANGOLA, Ind. -- Two power-play goals gave the Trine University men's hockey team the advantage they needed as they defeated visiting Lake Forest College by the score of 3-0.

The Thunder started the scoring in the first period with the first of their power-play goals. Sophomore Blake Robertson (South Lyon, Mich.) recorded the goal with assists from both classmate Josh Hinderliter (Wyandotte, Mich.) and freshman Garrett Hallford (McKinney, Texas) adding assists. Trine took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second, Trine posted a spectacular defensive effort holding the Foresters scoreless despite 20 shots on goal. In net, freshman Anthony Yamnitsky (North Royalton, Ohio) led the effort in the period as he received the first start of his career. He finished the game with the shutout and 35 saves.

Just over 11 minutes into the final period the Thunder added to their lead. Freshman Austin Stauffer (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) tallied the goal, the first of his college career, by recovering a rebound directly in front of the net and putting it past the opposition's goaltender. Sophomore Michael Meisenbacher (Basking Ridge, N.J.) and Robertson added assists on the goal.

Freshman Gianni Vitali (Grand Rapids, Mich.) iced the game for Trine in the 19th minute of the final period with an empty net goal. Alex Johanson (Skokie, Ill.) added the assist and the Thunder took the victory by 3-0.

Trine improves to 9-12-2 overall and 5-10-1 in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) following the victory. They will take the ice again as they start the final weekend of regular season competition with a contest against MSOE at 8:05 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 8.