Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Coming off three weeks of weekend road trips, Midland University was glad to be back on its home sheet as they hosted McKendree University on Friday and Saturday nights. The Warriors protected their home rink, picking up a 6-0 and a 4-0 shutout win over the Bearcats in Midwest College Hockey (MCH) league play. The victories keep Midland unbeaten at Sidner Ice Arena this year and move their record back to .500 at 7-7.
FRIDAY: Midland 6, McKendree 0
Two goals in the early going of the first period set the tone for the weekend for the Warriors. Just past a minute in, Tommy Wardas found the back of the net off a feed from Logan Wotton and Zak Justice. At the 6:27 mark, it was Fletcher Chun getting on the board as Zach Weber and Ian McHenry assisted on the goal to make it a 2-0 game. That’s where the goal stood at the first intermission, through the second period, and into the final break.
In the third period, with Midland focusing its energy on protecting its two-goal lead, scoring chances opened up once more.
After an interference penalty against the Bearcats in the opening minute, Wotton found Jared Wisely for a powerplay goal at the 1:38 mark. Three minutes later, it was Zach Eddington getting his name in the scoring column. Ryan Donovan and Wardas picked up the apples on the score.
Trevor Timm got in on the action at the 8:02 mark, scoring off a feed from Luke Guarienti. With time winding down, Wardas put a bow on the game with his second goal. Andy Larsen and Wotton assisted on the goal to make it 6-0.
Between the pipes, Liam Tereposky collected 14 saves in the series-opening win.
SATURDAY: Midland 4, McKendree 0
Midland showed continued focus on both sides of the puck on Saturday from the get-go. Just past midway through the first, Andy Larsen was able to break open the scoring with a goal at the 13:22 mark. Tommy Wardas picked up the assist on the goal, which would prove to be the game-winner thanks to solid defense.
In the second period, after a McKendree major penalty at the 14:13 mark, Midland was able to score its first powerplay goal of the contest. Jack Royer found a gap in the defense at the 16:13 mark. Larsen and Wardas tallied assists on the insurance goal.
After coming back out from the dressing rooms for the final time, the Warriors found another goal as Wardas lit the lamp for the eighth time this season. With time winding down, Midland’s special teams struck for a second powerplay goal. At the 14:37 mark, Hugo Lukacovic took a feed from Zak Justice to close out the scoring and set the 4-0 shutout win.
Liam Tereposky was strong in the net once again. He picked 19 saves for his third shutout of the year.
“It was great to get the sweep and even better to get the two shutouts,” commented head coach Jan Dam. “We’ve spent a lot of time working on our defense and this weekend showed what we are capable of. We had our lines rolling and working well. It takes a solid team effort to hold an opponent scoreless through two games. Liam [Tereposky] was great in the net both nights. Any time our D allowed a shot to get to him, he was able to make the save. The road gets tougher from here. We’ll need to stay focused on what is in front of us and next weekend it is the Jimmies.”
Midland (7-7, 7-4 MCH) will hit the road to North Dakota next weekend to take on Jamestown (9-4, 7-1 MCH). The Warriors and Jimmies will play a two-game series on November 10-11. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday inside John L. Wilson Arena in Jamestown, N.D.
