ANGOLA, Ind. -- An explosive final two minutes lifted the Trine University men's hockey team over visiting Concordia University Wisconsin by the score of 4-2.
The Falcons struck first in the contest with an even strength goal in just the second minute of the contest.
Despite the early goal the Thunder dominated offensively. They outshot the opposition 11-5 in the first period, but were unable to find the back of the net.
The shots finally paid off in the fourth minute of the second period. Following a Trine turnover in the offensive zone, Concordia Wisconsin cleared the puck to the neutral zone, where junior Justin Hendrickson (Marquette, Mich.) was waiting to collect it. The Falcons went for an ill-advised line change and Hendrickson fired a pass back into the zone connecting with classmate Brett Piper (Cartier, Manitoba) who was left with just the goaltender in his way for the goal. He successful out dueled the goalie and notched the equalizing goal.
The 1-1 score would last until nearly the halfway point of the third period. In the ninth minute the Falcons were awarded a power play opportunity off of a tripping penalty against the Thunder and cashed in for their second lead of the game
It looked like the 2-1 lead would be enough to hand Trine the second loss of the season, but in the 19th minute Trine responded. Senior Hunter Payment (Monroe, Mich.) started the play by settling the puck at the team's offensive blueline before passing the puck up the boards to the faceoff circle where freshman Drew Welsch (Trenton, Mich.) was waiting. Welsch quickly forwarded the puck across the face of the net where junior Frank Trazzera (Keller, Texas) was ready to score through the back door.
The team wasn't satisfied with a tie however, quickly taking the ensuing faceoff into the offensive zone. There play turned messy but Piper was able to settle the puck behind the goal pushing it off to freshman Bobby Price (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) who got a clear pass off to the top of the faceoff circle. There sophomore Jackson Clark (Fort Mill, S.C.) was waiting with open space. He fired a beauty of a shot into the upper right corner of the net to give the team their first lead of the game at 3-2 with just over a minute remaining in the contest.
The Falcons pulled their goalkeeper just inside of the final minute of play and were able to apply ample pressure in the offensive zone. But a shot fired from the point was blocked by sophomore Chace McCardle (Southgate, Mich.) who settled the puck and fired a bullet from his own blueline to put the game out of reach at 4-2 with 28 seconds remaining.
All told the offensive attack for the Thunder was a powerful one in the contest. They finished the game with 45 shots on goal to the Falcons' 15.
In goal, sophomore Shane Brancato (Lake Villa, Ill.) picked up his third win of the season behind a 13 save performance.
Trine improves to 4-1 overall and starts the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) slate of contests 1-0. They will take on Concordia Wisconsin again tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 13. The opening puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m.