(Fraser, MI) — Men's hockey headed out to Fraser for the regular season series finale against the Rochester Warriors. After a close first period, the Cardinals pulled away in the middle frame and eventually would secure an 8-1 victory.
Zachary Janis started in net for the Cardinals, making 22 saves on 23 shots in the win.
The Rochester Warriors got on the board first in the contest at the 10:36 mark on the powerplay, making it two straight games that they would score first against the CUAA. Jackson Blough would get the Cardinals' first goal of the contest just 16 seconds later, with assists from Hunter Kepple and Zane Rydel. The rest of the period would go by, and the sides would be deadlocked at 1 headed into the first intermission.
Concordia came out firing in the second period, with Jackson Blough giving the Cards their first lead of the day off assists by Quinn Bieniek and Brayden Tayles. Seth Francois would jump in on the scoring at the 14:14 mark, receiving assists from Brandon Troyer and Derek Hebner.
Less than two minutes later, Zane Rydel joined the action, beating the Rochester goalie to extend the lead to 4-1. Helpers were credited to Zachary Janis and Chase Temple. Just past the halfway mark, CUAA would score for the fourth time in the frame, this time from Seth Francois for his second score of the period (assists by Hunter Kepple and Shane Romback). Scoring would slow down past that mark, and the period would eventually end with the Cardinals leading 5-1.
Concordia would kick off the 3rd period with more goals, this time from Zane Rydel for his second score of the game (assists by Kepple and Romback). Seth Francois would secure the hat trick later in the period, with Romback and Tayles picking up helpers on the seventh Cardinal goal. Quinn Bieniek would fire home the final goal of the game at the 12:40 mark of the contest (assisted by Sam Sahr), securing a final score victory of 8-1 for CUAA.
The Cardinals will be back in action next Friday, February 3rd against the 7th-ranked Indiana Tech Warriors. Puck drop is set for 7:30pm at SportONE/Parkview Ice House in Fort Wayne, IN.