MENDOTA HEIGHTS, Minn. -- A pair of empty net goals iced the game and gave the Trine University men's hockey team the 4-2 victory over the hosts from the University of St. Thomas.
The Thunder struck first in the contest coming up with a goal in the 19th minute of the first period. Sophomore defenseman Hunter Payment (Monroe, Mich.) tallied the goal with freshman forward Frank Trazzera (Keller, Texas) adding the assist.
The 1-0 lead would last for a nearly a full 20 minutes before the Tommies netted their first goal of the night. The teams would enter the final intermission in a 1-1 tie.
Trine took back the lead in the 13th minute of the final period with junior Carmine Taffo (Staten Island, N.Y.) coming up with the goal. Freshmen Brendan Prappas (West Bloomfield, Mich.) and Brett Tierney (West Chicago, Ill.) added assists to the goal.
St. Thomas pulled their goalie for to pressure the Thunder defense with just over 90 seconds remaining in the contest. The decision proved unwise as Trine recorded a pair of empty net goals to pull away in the contest.
Both goals came from sophomore Garrett Hallford (McKinney, Texas) with assists from junior Chris Garrity (Stafford, Va.) and freshman Justin Meers (St. Charles, Mo.). The goals gave the team a 4-1 lead with under a minute remaining in the contest.
The Tommies would add a late goal to close the gap to 4-2, but Trine would hold on for the victory.
Senior Brett Young (Livonia, Mich.) played the game in net for the Thunder and ended the contest with the win and 33 saves.
Trine improves to 6-3 overall following the win. They will continue the weekend by facing off with nationally-ranked Augsburg University tomorrow, Saturday, December 14. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. CST.