The Calvin University ACHA D3 Hockey Team defeated the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils 3-0 on Friday night in their season opener.
This year the D3 team looked to start the year on the front foot and build momentum as the season progressed. They looked to improve on and off the ice this year and to test themselves to see what they are truly capable of. Going into Friday's game against the Blue Devils the Knights knew they had a tough test ahead of them. Luckily, for the Knights they were more then ready to answer the bell.
In the first period the game started out with very high tempo and intensity from both ends of the ice. The Knights put the pressure on the Blue Devils early but nothing significant came from it. As the period progressed both teams recieved good scoring chances but neither team could find the elusive first goal of the game.
At the end of the first period the game was still tied 0-0.
In the second period the Knights controlled most of the action on the ice. They set the tempo and the pressure and the Blue Devils struggled to keep the Knights out of their own zone. The Knights pushed hard and were finally rewarded with four minutes left in the frame with a goal from Zach Seaman with the assists from Riley Austin and Jacob Waligora. The Blue Devils did their best to get that goal back but were turned away by the Knights defense.
The second period concluded with the Knights leading the Blue Devils 1-0.
In the third period the Knights came out flying and added another goal to their score with a goal from Will Weiss with the assist from Ethan Tulp. That goal came just forty seconds into the third and quickly killed spirits for the Blue Devils. The Knights once again continued to control the pace of the game and received numorous scoring chances throughout the frame. With about ten minutes left to go the Knights made it three with a goal from Waligora with the assist from Avery Anderson.
The game concluded with the Knights coming out victorious over the Blue Devils 3-0.
Knights Goaltender Garret Walker came away with the shutout victory with 37 saves on the night.
