Cougars’ Rollercoaster Weekend: Shootout Win and Tough Defeat Against UM-Dearborn

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars ACHA Hockey team took on WHAC Conference rival UM-Dearborn Wolverines. Game 1 would go to an exciting shootout that would end with a Cougar win while Game 2 proved to be all UM-Dearborn.

In Game 1 at Michigan-Dearborn:

Friday night's game turned out to be a thriller. The Wolverines would jump out to an immediate 1-0 lead just one minute into the game. As the period went on the Cougars would find their time to tie the game as JC Garbacik found the back of the net to tie the game 1-1. The game would remain tied heading into the second period before the Wolverines scored making it 2-1. Near the end of the period, the Cougars would tie the game, let up a goal, and then retie the game all within about one minute of each other. The two Cougar goals before the end of the period would come from Dylan Tammadge and Brayden Goddard. With the game tied 3-3 heading into the third period, it was open for either team to take control. Both goalies would shut down the offense and the score would remain the same and head to a 3-on-3 overtime. In overtime, both goalies would remain unstoppable making 5 and 7 saves respectively. The game would head to a shootout and the Cougars would send JC Garbacik as their first shooter. He would find the back of the net and Nick Meyering would make a save on the first Wolverine attempt. Looking to take a 2-0 lead in the shootout, the Cougars sent up Braeden Bzovey. He would make a move and get past the Wolverine goaltender setting up a possible last-shot attempt for the Wolverines. The Wolverines would send up Bailey Byrd who went to the left side of Cougar Goaltender Nick Meyering who would not be fooled and made the stop sending the Cougars home with the shootout victory. 

Nick Meyering (11-7) would get the win in net making 43 saves on 46 shots. 

In Game 2 vs Michigan-Dearborn:

Saturday night would prove to be too much for the Cougars as the Wolverines took control of the game instantly. They would open up the game with a 2-0 lead and shut down the Cougar offense to just 6 shots on goal in the first period. The Cougars would come out in the second period and looked to flip the script. Dylan Tammadge got things started with a goal just 57 seconds into the period cutting the lead to 2-1. A few minutes later, Wes Smith would find the back of the net and tie the game at 2-2. The Wolverines would adjust and go on to score three goals in the final 5 minutes of the period making it a 5-2 lead over the Cougars. The Cougars would be unable to answer with not much offense as they would get outshot 17-6 in the third period and go home with a 5-2 loss. 

Vincent Parent (7-8) suffered the loss in net making 47 saves on 52 shots. The Cougars would be outshot 52-22 in this game.

Cleary is now 19-15 on the season and finished 14-10 in WHAC Conference play. They will have to wait until next weekend's results to see their final standing in the WHAC Conference. The Cougars will take on the Northwood University Timberwolves next weekend. Friday's game will be Senior Night as we honor four seniors who are a part of the team. Senior Night activities will begin at approximately 7:20 PM Friday night with the game starting at 8:00 PM.