Cougars’ Gritty Win Highlights Weekend Split with UM-Dearborn Wolverines

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars ACHA Hockey team took on the University of Michigan - Dearborn Wolverines this weekend. Friday night's overtime thriller would go in favor of the Wolverines, however, the Cougars were able to bounce back for a 3-2 victory Saturday night. 

In Game 1 vs UM-Dearborn:

Friday night would get off to a slow but very even start as both teams would have 8 shots on net with nothing getting through the goalkeepers. Defense was the name of the game as it would remain a 0-0 game heading into the second period. The Wolverines opened up the scoring in the second period with 12:57 left to play. Just over 4 minutes later the Cougars would respond with a goal from JC Garbacik and an assist from Collin Kerchoff. Both teams would head to the locker room tied 1-1 with one period left to play. In the third period, no one would be able to score despite the Cougars outshooting the Wolverines 9-5. The game would head to a 3-on-3-overtime period with the Wolverines finding the back of the net with just over 3 minutes left to play. Both teams stayed out of the penalty box tonight with both teams committing two penalties for 4 minutes.

Vincent Parent (5-4) started in goal for the Cougars making 24 saves on 26 shots. UM-Dearborn would block 14 shots as a team, Cleary would block 8 shots. 

In Game 2 at UM-Dearborn:

The Wolverines would come out hot scoring the game's first goal just nine minutes into the game. They would add a second goal on a power play later in the period. The Wolverines would outshoot the Cougars 16-7 in the first period with a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. Looking for a spark, the Cougars would find one and score 3 unanswered goals in a three-minute span. Dylan Tammadge would get the Cougars on the board with a power-play goal. Just two minutes later, Wes Smith found the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2 with an assist from Collin Kerchoff. After another Wolverine penalty, Dylan Tammadge would find the back of the net again for his second goal on the night just eight seconds into the powerplay, giving the Cougars a 3-2 lead. The third period would be all defense for the Cougars as the Wolverines brought on an offensive attack. They would go on to outshoot the Cougars 22-4 in the third period but goaltender Nick Meyering would be a brick wall. The Wolverines would pull their goaltender with about two minutes left in the game looking to tie the game, however, the Cougars stood tall and took home a 3-2 victory. 

Nick Meyering (5-3) would start in goal for the Cougars making 47 saves on 49 shots. This win against UM-Dearborn marks the first win against the Wolverines in school history. 

Cleary is now 11-7 on the season and 8-4 in WHAC Conference play. With the win on Saturday night, the Cougars sit in 2nd place in the WHAC Conference standings with 26 points. The Cougars will hit the ice again next weekend when they take on the University of Toledo Rockets. Friday night's game will be played at Toledo with Saturday's game being a home game at 140 Ice Den. Saturday's game will start at 4:30 PM.