HOWELL, Mich.—Nationally-ranked Lawrence Tech scored two goals 37 seconds apart in the second period to come from behind to beat host Cleary, 5-1, in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference men's hockey opener for both teams at the 140 Ice Den on Friday.

The visiting Blue Devils, who are No. 17 in the ACHA Division 1 preseason poll, improve to 1-2 overall, while the Cougars fall to 1-4. Lawrence Tech also dominated in shots on goal, 41 to 24.

Drake Barnish scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 1 minute and 42 seconds remaining in the middle stanza, ripping a shot from above the left face-off circle past Liam Kocur. Liam Bland and David Hoftiezer got the assists on the play. Hoftiezer, a freshman, ended up with a career-high three points to lead all scorers tonight. Bland also had three points--all assists.

Just seconds earlier, Hoftiezer took advantage of a CU misplay behind the net and tucked the puck across the goal line to tie the score 1-1 at the 17:41 mark.

The Blue Devils added three insurance goals in the third period by Hoftiezer on the power play at 9:21, Brendan Preiss 2:22 later and Dylan Magdich with 1:06 left. 

Lawrence Tech netminder Brett Tome played well in relief after an injury to starter Noah Brandau in the first period, making 19 saves on 19 shots he faced over the final 46:37. Kocur (1-3) finished with 36 saves.

With LTU holding a 2-1 lead in the third period, Cleary had an excellent scoring opportunity on a 2-on-1 break but the player's shot fanned to the left.

Zach Eakes gave CU the lead on a scrum in front of the net with 6:37 to go in the opening stanza, when Brandau left the game. Bennett Sheppard and Jonny Gardine were credited with the assists.

These same two teams will meet at 8 p.m. Saturday when the Blue Devils make their home debut at Farmington Hills Ice Arena in a Homecoming contest to wrap up the conference weekend series.