(Canton, MI) Concordia Men's Hockey returned to their home ice for a WHAC matchup against Michigan-Dearborn. The Cardinals kept the game close in the first period, but UM-Dearborn pulled away in the second period to secure a 6-2 victory over the Cardinals.
The Cardinals were forced into a penalty kill within the first minute of the game and the Wolverines took advantage with a slap shot from distance to take the lead on the power play. Ten minutes later UM-Dearborn utilized some quick passes in front of the crease to double their lead. The Cardinals were quick to respond with their first goal of the game when Gavin Scally buried a pass from Jack Kallsen and Mason Blow to cut into the deficit. The Wolverines found their way into the back of the net, but the Cardinals scored on their first power play opportunity of the game when Nicholas Twombley redirected a shot from Derek Hebner with seven seconds remaining in the period to pull back within a goal.
The Cardinals killed a penalty early on in the second period, but in a second power play opportunity the Wolverines were able to increase their advantage to two goals again. Concordia killed another power play afterwards, but then conceded another Wolverine goal shortly after. The Cardinals had another power play chance in the final minute of the period, but the Wolverines held on to their three-goal lead at the second intermission.
The first ten minutes of the third period saw neither offense able to beat the opposing goaltender. Penalties were traded between the two sides, but the lone goal of the period was a shorthanded goal for the Wolverines to cement the 6-2 UM-Dearborn win. Nolan Foster finished the night with 44 saves.
The Cardinals will travel to Dearborn for the second half of the series tomorrow, Saturday October 19th. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM in the UMD Fieldhouse.
