The Calvin University Knights ACHA D3 Hockey Team defeated the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils 4-3 on Saturday afternoon in the Knights home opener of the season.
After their big 3-0 win over the Blue Devils the night before the Knights looked to continue their winning streak and move to 2-0 on the season. Fortunately, for the Knights they were more than prepared for round 2.
In the first period both teams came out very strong putting pressure on both sides and setting an intense pace early in the game. Both teams recieved very good scoring chances throughout the period but finally with about nine minutes left to go in the frame the Knights found the back of the net. The goal came from Tanner Dey with the assists from Matthew Brown and Nate Rublein. After the Knights led, they struggled to stay out of the penalty box and really had to lock it down in the back end. Fortunately, for the Knights they were able to withstand the storm and keep the Blue Devils off the board.
At the end of the first period the Knights led the Blue Devils 1-0.
In the second period the game really began to hit its stride. About four minutes in the Knights added another tally to the board with a goal from Will Weiss with the assist from Brown. With the Knights now up two the Blue Devils knew they needed a response. Within six minutes of the Knights second goal the Blue Devils found the back of the net to cut the Knights lead down to one. Unfortunately, for the Knights the Blue Devils did not stop there. With about three minutes left to go in the period the Blue Devils tied the game at 2-2.
At the end of the second the Knights found themselves tied with the Blue Devils 2-2.
In the third period the Knights knew they needed to find a spark to get things rolling on the right track once again. Just four minutes into the frame the Knights found just that with a goal from Riley Austin with the helpers coming from Tanner Dey and Ethan Tulp. With the Knights now back in the driver seat they looked to really put their foot on the gas. Just four minutes later the Knights extended their lead back to two with a goal from Rublein with the assists from Keigan Oberski and Zach Seaman. With about seven minutes left to go the Blue Devils got one goal back but it was not enough to make the comeback on the Knights.
The game concluded with the Knights coming out on top of the Blue Devils 4-3.
Knights Goaltender Garret Walker played another fantastic game and ended with 40 saves.
The Knights return to action October 22nd, as they face off against the Davenport Panthers at home at 7:00 PM.
