From Cleary Athletics
(Howell, MI)– The Cleary Cougars scored first in both games against the #11 ranked and WHAC powerhouse Indiana Tech Warriors, but weren’t able to keep their lead, as they fell in two games in their most recent weekend series.
In Game 1 at 140 Ice Den: Zach Eakes got Cleary on the board just 5 minutes into the game, with assists from Aden Michael and Joe Heinzelman, to give the Cougars an early lead. Just seven minutes later, Wes Smith took a shot that ended up being deflected by a Warrior defender, but went up in the air, and somehow snuck past the goalie, to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead, which they would hold for the rest of the opening stanza.
The Warriors would come out and take one back in the opening moments of the second period, and then add two more goals to take a lead, thanks to their power play efforts, and the visitors would lead 3-2 after 40 minutes of play. With Cleary down and pressing to find the equalizer, the Warriors would take advantage of the extra space in their offensive zone, and found the dagger with 9 minutes left in the game. After adding an insurance goal to secure the victory, Indiana Tech would take game one in the series 5-2.
Koby Kebbe was stellar in between the pipes, making 42 saves on 47 shots faced.
In Game 2 in Fort Wayne: Wes Smith scored a goal in his third straight game to open things up, after Ben Gledhow assisted on the opening goal. Indiana Tech would scored the next five goals into the second period, before Dalton Cummings scored, with assists from Zach Perry and Julian Chau, to make it 5-2 in the second period. Two more Warrior goals made it 7-2 going into the final period. The Warriors added another goal early in the final 20 minutes, but Zach Perry scored a power play goal, with assists from Wes Smith and Zack Wiener, to make it 8-3. The hosts would add one more power play goal of their own for good measure to take the game with a final score of 9-3.
Koby Kebbe gave a valiant effort in the loss, making 40 saves on 49 shots faced.
Cleary will have one more weekend series before the holiday break, when they take on the Aquinas College Saints this Friday and Saturday. Saturday’s game at the 140 Ice Den is also an “Ugly Sweater” game, so wear your ugliest holiday sweater and get in the spirit of the holidays. Puck drops Saturday at 7:30 pm.
(Originally published at https://clearycougars.com/sports/mice/2021-22/releases/Cleary_vs._Indiana_Tech_12-4-2021)
