Warriors Earn Weekend Split at Waldorf
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – Midland University split its weekend series with Waldorf University in a Battle of the Warriors, falling 3-2 on Friday before bouncing back with a dominant 9-2 victory on Saturday in Midwest College Hockey (MCH) action.
FRIDAY: Waldorf 3, Midland 2
Midland took an early lead with a first-period goal from Mathew Kochanowski, assisted by Tommy Babb and Karl Grafelman at the 12:08 mark. The Warriors extended their lead in the second period with a goal from Milan Breczko, assisted by Babb and Kochanowski. Waldorf responded with two quick goals to tie the game 2-2 before the second intermission.
The third period was a defensive struggle, but Waldorf broke through with the game-winning goal with just over two minutes remaining. Midland pulled its goalie in search of an equalizer, but Waldorf held firm to secure the win. Liam Tereposky recorded 30 saves in goal for Midland.
SATURDAY: Midland 9, Waldorf 2
Saturday's rematch started in Waldorf's favor, with the home team jumping out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first period. Midland quickly responded after a Waldorf penalty, with Kochanowski scoring a power-play goal off assists from Jared Wisley and Hugo Lukacovic. Waldorf held a 2-1 lead at the first intermission.
Midland took control in the second period, tying the game on an Ethan Brown goal, assisted by Breczko and Grafelman. Lasse Richert gave Midland the lead with his first collegiate goal at the 7:29 mark, assisted by Zak Justice and Mathieu Cardinal Thom. The Warriors held the 3-2 advantage going into the final intermission.
The third period saw Midland's offense explode for six goals. Kochanowski and Brown each scored their second goal of the game in the opening minute, and Tommy Babb added another goal at the 10:10 mark. Logan Wotton and Babb each scored power-play goals, and Breczko found the back of the net once more as Midland cruised to the 9-2 win.
Elijah Marchese earned the win in goal with 19 saves, as Midland outshot Waldorf 56-21.
Midland (4-7, 3-3 MCH) will look to build on the momentum as it returns home next weekend for a pair of games with Illinois State (2-6, 0-2 MCH). The Warriors and Redbirds will face off at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Sidner Ice Arena in Fremont, Nebraska.