The Calvin University Knights ACHA D3 Hockey Team took down the #1 ranked Dutchmen from Hope College 4-3 on Friday night.
Going into Friday night's game the Knights were still in search of their first win of the season. They knew they had a tough opponent ahead of them in the undefeated Dutchmen squad. But this time around the Knights came out with everything they had. And the rest they say, is history.
In the first period the Knights came out very strong playing some of their best hockey all season long. About halfway through the frame the Knights found a way through the Dutchmen defense and found the back of the net. The goal came from Will Weiss with the assist coming from Avery Anderson. The Dutchmen quickly kicked it into gear and three minutes later found the back of the net themselves to tie the game at 1-1. Unfortunately, for the Knights the Dutchmen tallied another goal just four minutes later to take the one goal lead.
At the end of the first period the Knights found themselves trailing 2-1.
In the second period both teams turned up the heat just a little bit more. The intensity of the game continued to rise and scoring chances followed. The Dutchmen took a two goal lead over the Knights with 7:24 left to go in the frame. With the Knights now down two goals they needed a response quickly. Luckily for the Knights that response came just six seconds later as Weiss found the back of the net for his second of the game the helpers on that goal came from Brandon Turcotte and Mitchell Niesar. With the Knights now down one goal they looked to find the equalizer. With about two minutes to go the Knights found their tying goal, which came from Jacob Oakes.
At the end of the second period the Knights were deadlocked in a 3-3 game.
In the third period the Knights came out with a new found fire and instantly put high pressure on the Dutchmen defense. Just seven minutes into the frame the Knights took the lead with a powerplay goal from Turcotte with the assist from Niesar. With the Knights now leading the game by one goal they looked to lock down the back line and shut down any offensive threat from the Dutchmen. The Knights succeeded with their game plan and kept the Dutchmen off the board.
At the end of the third period the Knights came out victorious over the #1 ranked Dutchmen 4-3.
The Knights are back in action Saturday, March 27th as they face off against the Dutchmen of Hope College at 5:30PM.
