Late Goal Lifts Cougars Over #16 Indiana Tech

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar hockey team made history Friday evening, as they scored two power play goals in the third period to defeat the #16 ranked Indiana Tech Warriors for the first time in school history.

Indiana Tech would rain shots on Cleary goalie Tyler Krasofsky, as the visiting Warriors outshot Cleary 16-4 in the first period.  Krasofsky and the defense would stand tall, and neither team would find the back of the net in the game's opening twenty minutes.  The game would tip in favor of the Warriors just 37 seconds into the second period, when Aidan Dufort intercepted a pass and slotted the puck past Krasofsky to give the Warriors a 1-0 advantage.  The Warriors continued to pepper Krasofsky with shots, but Krasofsky and the Cougar defense were up to the task, and didn't allow another goal the rest of the game.  

In the third period, Cleary would tie the game on a power play, when Zach Eakes put in a rebounded shot from Billy Simms, making the score 1-1 with just over six minutes to play.  With 2:41 to play, Justin Reddy was called for a tripping penalty, but the Warriors would commit a penalty of their own just ninety seconds later.  After the Cougars killed off their penalty, Jonny Gardiner scored the game-winning goal with 34 seconds to go on the power play.  Indiana Tech would pull their goalie, but the Cougars allowed no opportunities, and the Cougars would win by a 2-1 margin.

Tyler Krasofsky was stellar in between the pipes, as he made 52 saves on 53 shots faced.  Krasofsky now holds a 2-4 record, and a .939 save percentage on the season.  Jonny Gardiner's game-winning goal was his second game-winner of the season, and 15th goal overall.  Zach Eakes' goal was his 7th on the campaign.

Cleary improves to 10-15 on the season, 6-9 in the WHAC.  The two teams will meet again on Saturday, January 6, when Cleary travels to Fort Wayne for game two of the weekend series.  The puck is scheduled to drop at 5:30 PM.

*Picture Courtesty of BadCatMedia*