(Chelsea, MI) – Concordia men's hockey hosted Rochester for their WHAC opener on Saturday afternoon. Both teams traded goals throughout the game but CUAA emerged victorious with a 4-3 win.
Anthony Crews started in net for Concordia, making 37 saves in the match. The Cardinals received an early power-play opportunity but despite several shots on goal the game remained scoreless. Rochester struck first with a goal 9 minutes into the period, but Concordia tied the game 5 minutes later on a wrist shot from Kyle Hebner with Hunter Kepple drawing the assist. Rochester scored again late in the period to lead 2-1 after the 1st.
Concordia tied the game 2-2 just over 5 minutes into the 2nd when Abel Christians jammed in a rebound on a 2-on-1 off a shot from Tyler Groth. Rochester took a 3-2 lead later in the period, but the Cardinals answered just 12 seconds later on a quick goal from Hunter Kepple with Tyler Groth and Kyle Hebner notching assists. Concordia had multiple chances while shorthanded late in the period, but the game remained tied 3-3 after the 2nd.
The game remained tied through 12 minutes of the 3rd period with both teams getting chances to score. The Cardinals broke the tie with 7:13 remaining when Brandon Kucera fired a shot from the point with Brandon Troyer and Jacob Gerace drawing helpers. Rochester pulled their goalie for an extra attacker in the final minute, but Anthony Crews added 3 more saves to help CUAA secure the 4-3 win.
Concordia will play their next game on Wednesday, Feburary 10th when the team travels to Calvin College. Puck drop is set for 8:30pm.
