The No. 21 ranked Grand Valley State University Division I men’s hockey club faced off against the Western Michigan University Stallions on Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23. The first game of the competition was away, in Stallion territory, and the second was at home.
Going into the doubleheader, the Lakers were fourth in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Great Lakes Six Conference, with an 8-4 record. However, the Lakers were on a two-game losing streak to local rivals Calvin (1-4) and Davenport (1-7). Undergoing the tough losses, the team also had five injuries within the two games– one being junior captain Carson Wood. With multiple injuries and half the season gone, the Lakers were luckily granted a bye week, due to facility issues at Ohio University. The time off gave the Lakers the ability to heal their injuries and regroup after their losses.
Coming off the losing streak and the bye week, third-year head coach Matthew Sekosan expressed that team members have been having conversations regarding positioning and strengths.
“We are on this teetering point of either going toward our successful route or going in the route no team wants to go,” said Sekosan. “The games where we’ve been the most successful (are) when we’re the loosest and having the most fun as a group.”
Starting off Friday’s game, senior forward and captain Josh Suzio earned the first and only goal in the first period, which was assisted by freshman defender Carson Redd.
The momentum in the second period heightened, as each team dished out three goals, leaving the second period to the Lakers, 4-3. Freshman forward Ethan Hellman led the team with two goals in this period.
In the third period, the Stallions responded to the Lakers’ ease by tying the game. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, the teams go into overtime, where three players from both teams play an additional five minutes. The first team to score secures the win concludes the game, but the teams go into a shootout if there is no score at the end of the five minutes. After a scoreless overtime, the Lakers and Stallions put their goaltender to the test in a shootout. Sophomore forward Chase Tallaire made the game-winning, shootout goal, and freshman goalie Taylor White made crucial saves for a Laker win.
Less than 24 hours later, the Lakers returned to Griff’s Georgetown Ice Arena to challenge the Stallions on their home ice. A sea of blue and white invaded the stands, and outnumbered Stallion fans. Friends and family members patiently waited for the Lakers to stride onto the ice so they could cheer the team on. After the last note in the national anthem, the teams’ benches were hollering in anticipation of the puck drop. At center ice, one Laker and Stallion center forward surrounded the referee to win the face-off and have first possession of the puck. The referee dropped the puck and the Stallions won the draw, beginning an aggressive first period.
The Stallions came out intensely, eager to put the first goal on the board. Both teams planted massive hits against the boards, setting an aggressive tone. Each team generated a power play within 10 minutes of gameplay with no results on the board. With seven minutes left in the period, Suzio charged down the middle of the ice, passing the puck to senior forward Carson Korte on the right side of the ice, who set up Hellman to sneak in the puck from behind the net. With five seconds left in the period, Western snuck one past White, tying the game 1-1. GVSU outshot Western 20-7, but at this point, it was still anyone’s game.
Entering the second period, each team was determined to take the lead. GVSU generated two shots on goal within the first five minutes of play, and had the majority of puck possession. At 13:23, Suzio dished a pass from the left side of the ice to Korte, who was in the middle, and backhanded the puck in the top of the net. This led the Lakers to a 2-1 lead. Ending the period, Western received two back-to-back penalties that would continue into the third period. GVSU outshot Western again, 17-4, and Western received four penalties, while GVSU only had one.
As the Stallions trailed by one, they progressively played dirtier in the second and third periods. Receiving multiple hits against the boards ignited something in the Lakers. GVSU had two shots on goal within the first 2 minutes of play, and had total possession for all of the first seven minutes. Tiring out the Stallions’ defense, GVSU took advantage, and went on a hot streak. Tallaire produced two goals in under two minutes. Junior forward Tristan Avoletta scored at 11:56, and was assisted by sophomore defenseman Clayton Senti and sophomore forward Noah Foucha. Vaerewyck also earned a goal, which was assisted by Redd. Lastly, Hellman generated two more goals, ending with a hat trick.
This is the Hellman brothers’ first year playing with GVSU. Kamryn Hellman noted that he finds it special that the team feels like a family.
“Here, we are a family (and) we are all working towards one goal (together),” said Hellman. “In the past, (my teams have) been more individualistic, so it’s kind of nice to be on a team where everyone’s working together with the same goal.”
The family dynamic radiated throughout the whole rink, from the fans on the bench to the ice. GVSU dominated the third period, and concluded the game 8-1. Overall, GVSU totaled 58 shots on goal, 8 penalties and 8 goals. The Stallions concluded with 14 shots on goal, 11 penalties and 1 goal.
Sweeping the Stallions on the road and at home, Wood emphasized that these games are crucial for the team’s momentum going forward in such a competitive ACHA league.
“We’ve gone through some adversity in the past three (or) four games, so being able to bounce back is big,” said Wood. “Anybody can beat anyone in this league on any night, so it’s important to be able to bring your A-game every single night, every practice and every single day.”
The GVSU Division I men’s hockey club will enjoy Thanksgiving break and return to play on December 6 for the GRSHOF tournament.
