(Canton, MI) - The Concordia Men's Hockey returned home for their final regular season matchup against the 7th-ranked Indiana Tech Warriors. The Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second period, and would hold firm on their advantage, winning the contest, 5-2.
Zachary Janis made the start in net for Concordia, making 31 saves in the effort.
The Cardinals drew the first penalty of the opening frame, earning an opportunity early in the contest to get on the board. They were unable to convert, however, and not long after the conclusion of their powerplay, the Warriors got on the board first. Indiana Tech would score again with 8:24 to go in the frame and held a 2-0 advantage heading into the first intermission.
Indiana Tech opened the middle frame similarly to how they did the first, scoring just over 5 minutes into the period to extend their lead to 3. The Cardinals would answer back, however, as a shot on the powerplay by Quinn Bieniek took a deflection on the way to the net and beat the Warrior goalie. Brandon Troyer and Zachary Janis picked up assists on the goal.
IIT would respond quickly, scoring a powerplay goal of their own just 31 seconds later to re-extend the lead, and despite multiple high quality chances in front for each side the remainder of the period, the score would remain 4-1 Warriors as the teams headed into the final break of regulation.
Concordia would cut the deficit back to two in the final frame of play, as Hunter Kepple took a pass from Shane Romback and fired a shot that squeezed past the Indiana Tech goalie, making the score 4-2. Concordia would get another opportunity on the powerplay and several more chances on net, but eventually IIT would add on an insurance goal and secure a 5-2 victory as the clock expired.
The Cardinals will be back in action on Friday, February 10th, when they take on the Aquinas Saints their final home contest of the year. Puck drop is set for 6:30pm at the Arctic Edge in Canton, MI.
