Box Score FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. The Lawrence Technological (Mich.) University ACHA D1 hockey team recently split their weekend series against the Warriors of Indiana Tech. Game one saw the Blue Devils take care of business on Friday night inside a packed Farmington Hills Ice Arena, with the final score of 5-4. Saturday night was a different story as the Warriors came out on top in Ft. Wayne with the final score of 5-1.
Game One:
The Blue Devils looked to make it three in a row after a stellar weekend in Buffalo, New York the previous weekend. But they faced conference foe Indiana Tech who came into the game ranked eighth in the latest ACHA D1 Top 25 Poll.
However, the Blue Devils came out firing away in the first period finding the back of the net three times in the first twenty minutes of play. The primary goal of the night came at the 14:50 mark of the first period when the Sherwood, Oregon native, Bryce Ebert found the back of the net off an assist from Conner Victory to make it 1-0. The Blue Devils would go up 2-0 after the Livonia, Michigan native Brenden Priess found the back of the net off assist from John Horn and Alec Allen. One final goal in the first period would cement a 3-0 lead and have the eighth-ranked Warriors on their heel's going into the second period.
With the second period underway, the Blue Devils continued their on slot of offense as they put another one in the back of the net to go up 4-0. This time the Hartland, Michigan native Blake Heier found the net with the assist coming from Alex Schluter and Themo Ey. The Warriors finally got on the board off a power play to make it 4-1 in the second period. The Blue Devils were blanked offensively in the second period while on defense, they gave up two goals to end the period 4-2.
As the third period got underway, the Blue Devils looked to keep the Warriors from scoring anymore while maintaining the lead and go home victorious. The Blue Devils scored again in the third period with the Westland, Michigan native Parker Hodges finding the back of the net on a power play unassisted. It would give the Blue Devils a 5-2 lead, and with many thinking, the game is over. However, the Warriors had a different version rattling off two more goals making it a 5-4 game and putting the Blue Devils on the fence. But the Blue Devils were able to close out the game and keep the Warriors from scoring again, giving them a big win in their push for the playoffs.
Game Two:
With Friday night set in the book and the Warriors looking to put it behind them in what was a disappointing loss on the road, they sought to make a statement splitting the weekend series. On the other side of things, the Blue Devils looked to make their statement. The Blue Devils looked to grab their first back to back wins against Indiana Tech in program history. But that was all but the case on Saturday night in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. With the Warriors of Indiana Tech taking game two 5-1 and splitting the weekend series.
It was all Indiana Tech from the get-go grabbing a commanding 2-0 lead after the first period the Blue Devils still had an opportunity to get back in the game. But, as the second period got underway, costly penalties by the Blue Devils gave the Warriors the advantage. As the Warriors pushed the lead to 4-0 off power plays at the 16:48 mark and 9:26 mark of the second period.
With their backs against the fence and the need to find the net, it was time for third-period hockey that rough and rogued hockey that could bring you back into the game. The comeback was cut short quickly with the Warriors finding the back of the net again in the third period. This time the goal came at the 18:08 mark almost three minutes into the period. The air had looked to be, knocked out of the Blue Devils. But then came the lone goal on the night from the Blue Devils late in the third period at the 3:36 mark. With the goal coming from the Hartland, Michigan native Blake Heier with assists coming from Parker Hodges and Matt Nyrkkanen.
Looking ahead for the Blue Devils, they take on the 19th ranked and conference foe Saints of Aquinas College who split their weekend series against the Wolverines of UM-Dearborn. The Blue Devils look to grab the series against Aquinas heading into next weekend when they take on UM-Dearborn. The puck will drop at 8:15 pm on Friday, January 31, 2020, inside the Farmington Hills Ice Arena. As always, follow along on social media or head over to our website for more info on the Lawrence Tech Hockey Program.
