GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin opened a busy three-game homestand with a 6-4 victory over the University of Alabama Thursday night in a meeting of ACHA D1 teams at Eagles Ice Center.

The Knights improve to 7-3 on the season with the victory.

The two teams were tied 1-1 after one period of play. Freshman Noah Maine opened the scoring just 1:49 into the match but Alabama came back to tie the game on a goal midway through the period.

The second period featured a wild sequence of scoring. Freshman Adam Heard scored to give Calvin a 2-1 lead early and freshman Ethan Pool hit the back of the net moments later to put the Knights up 3-1. Alabama answered with a goal to make it 3-2 but sophomore Lou Vesperini scored with 3:06 left to make it a 4-2 Calvin lead. Alabama came back with a power-play goal to make it 4-3 with 1:26 left but junior Joshua Ernst lit the lamp with only 57 seconds remaining to make it 5-3. Alabama answered with a goal of its own with just 10 seconds left in the period to make it a 5-4 contest.

Freshman Joel Fonovic provided a bit of breathing room with just 5:25 left in regulation, scoring off a feed from sophomore Keith Schenkel to make it 6-4 and provide for the final margin of victory.

Calvin outshot Alabama 47-26 but the Knights were whistled for 24 penalty minutes. Sophomore Carlos Siso went the first two periods in between the pipes for Calvin and collected nine saves. Freshman Adam Yost went the final 20 minutes in goal and posted 13 saves.

COACHES COMMENT: "We picked up a win but couldn't stay out of the penalty box tonight," said Calvin (ACHA D1) head men's hockey coach Mike Petrusma. "We will regroup for tomorrow."

NEXT UP: Calvin will face Alabama again on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Eagles Ice Center.