MEQUON, Wis. – The Trine University men's hockey team pulled away in the third period to secure a lopsided 5-1 victory over their hosts from Concordia University Wisconsin. Five different members of the team tallied a goal in the contest for the Thunder.
Trine scored the lone goal of the first period and then took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission. After the Falcons sent too many men to the ice, receiving a penalty and giving the Thunder a power play opportunity. The team took advantage to earn a lead. Jack Cooper scored the goal with Sam Antenucci adding an assist.
Concordia Wisconsin tied the game in the opening minutes of the second, but Trine answered back before the second intermission. This time Matteo Ybarra scored the goal with Thad Marcola and Bobby Price adding assists.
The Thunder pulled away in the final period of play, scoring three more to take the final 5-1 victory. Chace McCardle scored in the first minute of the stanza, with Tyler Blanchard and Drew Welsch adding assists.
Antenucci scored the second after passes from Logan Furstenau and Price. The final goal of the game came on another power play, with Price scoring and Welsch and Antenucci assisting.
Kyle Kozma played the game in net for Trine and finished with 28 saves and the win. The defense turned in a strong showing especially in the third period, when the Falcons recorded just three shots on goal.
The Thunder improve to 16-4-0 overall and 11-2-0 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play following the win. They will faceoff with Concordia Wisconsin again tomorrow, Saturday, January 27. That game is set to start at 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT.