High Scoring Offense Push Cougars Past the Saints

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars ACHA Hockey team took on the Aquinas University Saints this weekend for a WHAC conference matchup. The Cougars would pull away with two wins in a very high-scoring weekend

In Game 1 at Aquinas:

After Aquinas would take an early 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game, the Cougars would tie it up with a Collin Kerchoff goal. Aquinas would strike back taking a 2-1 lead just three minutes later. Zane Rydel and Devon Campbell would cap off the first period of play with two goals to allow the Cougars to retake the lead at 3-2 heading into the second period. The second period turned out to be a much more defensive battle with Aquinas outshooting the Cougars in the period 17-10. Zane Rydel would find the back of the net late in the period however increasing the Cougar lead to 4-2. In the third period, Aquinas looked to make the game closer as they would score with roughly seven minutes left to play. Steven Miller and the Cougars responded right after though giving the Cougars a much-needed insurance goal. Aquinas would make a late push and score in the final 30 seconds of the game, however, the Cougars were able to hang on for a 5-4 victory. 

Nick Meyering (4-2) would get the win in the net for the Cougars making 42 saves on 46 shots. Wes Smith would get 3 assists as well. 

In Game 2 vs Aquinas:

The Cougars would come out hot in this one taking an early 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Steven Miller and Brett Woolcott. Aquinas would resist falling early though as they would go on to score three straight unanswered goals to end the first period. Aquinas added to their lead making it 4-2 before the Cougars could respond. JC Garbacik would score his first goal of the game with an assist from Levi Herauf. Dylan Tammadge would also find the back of the net in the second period to tie the game at 4-4 heading into the third period. The Cougars would come out of the locker room and go to JC Garbacik who would score just over one minute into the period. Shortly after Zane Rydel and Steven Miller would join the scoring to make it a 7-4 lead. Aquinas would push back late scoring two goals within 23 seconds of each other with just over three minutes of play remaining. JC Garbacik would take things into his own hands and add on the insurance goal for his third goal of the game and give the Cougars an 8-6 victory on home ice. 

Vincent Parent (4-3) started in goal for the Cougars making 27 saves on 33 shots. JC Garbacik added on a hat trick tonight along with Collin Kerchoff getting three assists in this game as well. 

Cleary is now 9-5 on the season and 6-2 in WHAC Conference play. They hit the rink again next weekend with a matchup against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils. Friday night's game will be a home game for the Cougars at 140 Ice Den. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM.