ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's hockey team dropped their opening game against Lawrence University, giving up three goals in the third period to fall by the score of 4-2.
Neither team scored in the opening period, which was one of the quietest of the season for the Thunder. The teams combined for just 13 shots, with just one real scoring chance that went for the home team. That lone chance came on a two-on-one chance and ended in a great save by the Vikings.
It took nearly ten minutes in the second period, but Trine found the back of the net for their first lead of the day. Working the puck in the offensive zone, Drew Welsch passed it behind the net. Tyler Blanchard was in position to kick the puck forward where Chace McCardle was ready to stuff the puck past the goalie for the score.
Lawrence tied the game in the final four minutes of the same period, taking advantage of a power play opportunity for their first goal.
Despite the Vikings killing off a five minute penalty to start the period, the Thunder would still strike first in the final period. The goal came after Welsch went coast-to-coast, skating through most of the Lawrence team and then splitting the final two defenders to get the breakaway chance on net. He converted it and gave the team a 2-1 lead.
The next three goals went in favor of the Vikings, with the final going down as an empty net that sealed the game with a 4-2 score.
Trine falls to 17-5-0 overall and 12-3-0 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play following the loss. They will look to bounce back when they take the ice again. That contest is scheduled for 5 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, February 3.