ANGOLA, Ind. -- The Trine University men's hockey played tough against the nationally-ranked squad from St. Norbert College but ultimately came up short losing 5-3.
The Green Knights struck first in the contest coming up with a goal in the 11th minute of the contest. The goal came off of an errant pass in the defensive end by the Thunder.
The lead was shortlived for St. Norbert however as Trine responded just a minute and a half later. freshman Brett Tierney (West Chicago, Ill.) started the play with a pass up the middle to sophomore TJ Delaney (St. Louis, Mo.) who fired a shot on goal. The opposing goaltender was unable to cover the rebound and freshman Brendan Prappas (West Bloomfield, Mich.) collected the puck and scored his first goal of the season.
The Thunder took the lead in the contest with 32 seconds left in the contest. Prappas scored the goal, his second of the contest, with freshman Jeff Schrattner (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and senior Henry Hearon (Chicago, Ill.) adding assists. The team would take the 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Trine added to their lead in the tenth minute of the second period. Junior Blake Robertson (South Lyon, Mich.) came away from a scrum in the offensive zone with the puck and fired a pass to freshman Brett Piper (Cartier, Manitoba) who finished off the play with his second goal of the season.
The 3-1 lead was shortlived for the Thunder as the Green Knights tallied a short-handed goal just a minute later to pull back within one. They then evened up the contest with just one second left in the period. The team would enter the second intermission tied at three goals apiece.
It looked like the game was destined for overtime, until St. Norbert came up with the game-winning goal just outside of the final minute of play. The Thunder pulled their goaltender during the final minute of play and surrendered and empty-netter to fall in the contest 5-3.
Trine falls to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play following the loss. They will face off with St. Norbert again tomorrow, Saturday, November 16. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m.
