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Hockey Bounces Back to Split Series With LTU

Hockey Bounces Back to Split Series With LTU
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October 7, 2023

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar ACHA hockey team took on their rival Lawrence Tech in a weekend home and home series.

In Game 1 vs. Lawrence Tech:

Cleary scored the first periods's only goal, when Zach Eakes scored, with assists from Bennett Sheppard and Jonny Gardiner.  The Blue Devils would respond in the second period, scoring a pair of goals in just over 30 seconds, taking a 2-1 lead into the third period.  Cleary would be unable to tie the game, and LTU added a trio of goals of their own, to take the game by a 5-1 score.

Liam Kocur suffered the loss in goal, making 36 saves on 41 shots faced.  Zach Eakes' goal was his second of the season.

In Game 2 at Lawrence Tech:

After giving up two goals in just 10 seconds in the first period, Cleary bounced back with a pair fo goals in twenty seconds in the second period to tie the game.  Cleary's first goal was scored by Devon Campbell, with assists from Zack Wiener and Joe Heinzelman.  Cleary's second goal was scored by Jonny Gardiner, with an assist from Ben Gledhow.  The game would remain tied going into the final 20 minutes.

After Lawrence Tech scored a go-ahead goal with just under twelve minutes remaining, Cleary responded with another flurry of goals to take the lead.  Bennett Sheppard scored, with assists from Ben Gledhow and Jonny Gardiner to tie the game, and just 41 seconds later, Brendyn Galloner scored, with an assist from Cam Thomas, to give the Cougars the lead.  Cleary held onto the lead, and controlled the game, forcing the Blue Devils to pull their goalie, and Jonny Gardiner scored his second goal of the game on an empty net to seal the Cougar victory.

Liam Kocur was stellar in the win, while Jonny Gardiner now has 4 goals and 6 assists on the season.

Cleary is now 2-4 overall, 1-1 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will be back in action next Friday and Saturday when they take on the nationally ranked Indiana Tech Warriors in a weekend series.  Friday's game will get underway at 7:30 PM, while Saturday's home game will start at 3:30 PM as part of Cleary's Homecoming weekend.