Lawrence Tech Hands Cougars Weekend Sweep in WHAC Matchup

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars ACHA Hockey team took on WHAC Conference rival Lawrence Tech this weekend. The Cougars would suffer a 3-1 loss Friday night at Lawrence Tech and were unable to come away with a win Saturday night as they would lose 3-2 in overtime. 

In Game 1 at Lawrence Tech:

Friday night's game hosted by Lawrence Tech proved to be a home game for the Blue Devils as the Cougars could not get much going. Both teams would go scoreless in the first period, however, Lawrence Tech would come out to open the second period with two straight goals to take a 2-0 lead. As the period went on, Collin Kerchoff would make a pass to JC Garbacik who was able to find the back of the net to cut the lead to 2-1. In the third period, the Blue Devils would waste not much time as they would add to their lead to make it a 3-1 game. The Cougars would look for an answer but would not find one and would go on to lose by a final of 3-1. 

Vincent Parent (7-7) would suffer the loss in net making 36 saves on 39 shots. The Cougars would be outshot by the Blue Devils 39 to 28 in the game

In Game 2 vs Lawrence Tech:

Saturday night would get off to an unlucky start as the game would be delayed 45 minutes due to a piece of glass breaking during warmups. That wouldn't stop either team though as we strapped in for a fun game. Both teams would go scoreless in the second half but the Cougars would strike first in the second period. Bennett Sheppard would find the back of the net to kick things off with assists from Dylan Tammadge and Braeden Bzovey. Lawrence Tech decided to join in and score just two minutes later to the game at 1-1. Both teams would remain scoreless despite some power play opportunities and go into a must-win third period. In the third period, it took some time and one bad turnover cost the Cougars as Lawrence Tech took advantage of it and took the lead. The Cougars bounced back on a Lawrence Tech turnover just 50 seconds later as Brayden Goddard tied the game at 2-2 for the Cougars. The game would head to 3on3 overtime and unfortunately, the Blue Devils would score to send the Cougars home with a 3-2 overtime loss. 

Nick Meyering (10-7) would get the loss in net for the Cougars making 20 saves on 23 shots. 

Cleary is now 18-14 overall and 13-9 in WHAC Conference play on the season. They currently sit in second place in the conference with 43 points. They will take on the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines next week with implications for second place in the conference on the line as they are currently in third place with 40 points. Friday night's game will once again be on the road for the Cougars with Saturday's game being a home game at 140 Ice Den. Saturday's puck drop is set for 5:00 PM.