The Calvin ACHA D3 hockey team advanced to the Vezina Cup Trophy finals with a 5-2 semifinal victory over the University of Michigan Friday at Patterson Ice Center.
Ranked No. 1 nationally, Calvin (18-3-2) is bidding for its first (MCHC Conference) Vezina Cup Trophy since 2006. The Knights will face No. 4 Oakland in the championship game Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Patterson Ice Center.
Calvin broke a 2-2 deadlock with three unanswered goals in the third period to skate to the win.
Seniors
Owen Duiker and
Brock Hearth scored goals in the first period to stake the Knights to a 2-0 lead. Michigan scored with 4:28 left in the period to slice the deficit in half.
Neither team scored in the second period but Michigan broke through for the equalizer just 1:12 in the third period to make it a 2-2 contest.
With 9:28 left in regulation, junior
Ian Schweigert was able to give the Knights a 3-2 advantage, whipping in a pass from junior
Henry Holleman. Sophomore
Nathan Sova then scored on a break with just 2:51 left to give Calvin a 4-2 lead.
The Knights sealed the victory on an empty net goal by junior Joel Dielman with 2:02 remaining with Holleman drawing an assist on the play.
Senior
Ryan Worosz picked up the win in between the pipes for Calvin. Â
COACHES COMMENT: "Really happy with how our guys played tonight," said Calvin head coach Austin Huizenga. "Michigan is a good team and gave us their best. Our third period was one of the best periods we played all year. After Michigan tied it, we found another gear. Tomorrow, we play a really good Oakland team and we couldn't be more excited."
NEXT UP: Calvin will face Oakland Saturday night for the Vezina Cup Trophy at 7 p.m. at Patterson Ice Center.