Five Goal Third Period Lifts Cougars Over Concordia

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar hockey team finished the game exactly how fans would want, as they scored five unanswered goals in the third period to take down their rival Concordia Cardinals Saturday evening in Howell.

After a turnover in their own zone led to Concordia's opening goal, the Cougars responded with a pair to take the lead.  Wes Smith scored his first goal of the game, with an assist from Cam Thomas, to tie things up just 45 seconds after CUAA's opening goal, and Erik Wafer scored in the period's final minute, with assists from Zack Wiener and Justin Reddy, to give Cleary the lead.

The second period was all CUAA, as the Cardinals took advantage of a power play goal, then scored a second that slipped past goalie Tyler Krasofsky, to give Concordia the lead.  Down a goal going into the final stanza, the Cougars picked up the pressure, and dominated the final twenty minutes, scoring five unanswered goals to take the lead and the game.  Jonny Gardiner tied the game just three minutes into the action, with assists from Zach Eakes and Zack Wiener.  Wes Smith would score the game's next three goals, a rare natural hat-trick.  His second goal was assisted by Billy Simms.  His third goal was assisted by Justin Reddy and Jonny Gardiner, and his fourth and final goal was assisted by Ben Gledhow and Derry MacBeth.  Jonny Gardiner would add the dagger goal with just under five minutes to play, with an assist from Wes Smith and Ben Gledhow, to make the score 7-3, a score that Cleary would hold onto down the stretch with no mistakes.

Tyler Krasofsky earned his third win in his last four starts, as he made 38 saves on 41 shots faced.  Wes Smith's hat-trick was the third of his career, and his natural hat-trick (three consecutive goals scored) vs. CUAA is believed to be the first in Cleary history.

Cleary improves to 11-16 overall, 7-10 in WHAC play.  The Cougars will be back at 140 Ice Den next Friday, January 19, when they host the UM-Dearborn Wolverines.  The game is set to begin at 8:30 PM ET.

*Picture Courtesty of BadCatMedia*