The Hope College men's hockey team swept its weekend series against Western Michigan University, earning a 5-3 victory on Friday night before shutting out the Broncos, 4-0, on Saturday.
On Friday, Hope hosted Western Michigan at Holland Ice Arena, where the Flying Dutch scored twice in the third period to secure the victory.
Western Michigan opened the scoring 13:59 into the first period, but freshman left wing Cooper Clouse (Fargo, North Dakota / West Fargo Sheyenne / Great Falls Americans NA3HL) answered just 13 seconds later to even the score at 1-1.
Logan Nickolaus (Byron Center, MI / Byron Center / Wisconsin Windigo NAHL) and
Carter Lehmann (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Central / El Paso Rhinos NA3HL) recorded assists on Clouse's sixth goal of the season.
Trevor Davis (Byron Center, MI / Byron Center / Mercer Chiefs NCDC) gave Hope its first lead 2:52 into the second period, scoring his second goal of the season with assists from Colton Laufer (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) and Braxton Mckee (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center / Rock Springs Miners NCDC).
Freshman left wing Drew Watz (Freeland, Michigan / Freeland / Biggby U18AAA) extended the Flying Dutch's lead to 3-1 with a power-play goal at 5:35.
The Broncos responded with two goals late in the second period to tie the game at 3-3 heading into the final period.
Hope regained the lead 10 minutes into the third period when Braxton Mckee scored his first goal of the season.
Carver Alford (Lake Tahoe, California / Delta Academy / Lake Tahoe Laker USPHL Premier) sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:42, giving Hope the 5-3 win.
The Flying Dutch outshot Western Michigan 50-16 in Friday's contest.
On Saturday, Hope traveled to Biggby Coffee Ice Cube in Kalamazoo and earned a 4-0 shutout victory over the Broncos.
Cade Pratt (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center / Mercer Chiefs NCDC) opened the scoring just 3:41 into the first period, recording his fourth goal of the season.
Alford added to Hope's lead at 17:13 of the second period, scoring his second goal of the season. Just 11 seconds later, Pratt found the back of the net again, extending the Flying Dutch's lead to 3-0.
Pratt completed his hat trick at 14:09 of the third period, scoring his sixth goal of the season off an assist from Drew Watz to secure the 4-0 victory.
Hope goaltender Leif Ekblad (Williston, North Dakota / Michigan International Prep / Mercer Chiefs NCDC) recorded 36 saves to earn the shutout.
The Flying Dutch outshot Western Michigan 49-36 on Saturday and finished the weekend with a combined 99 shots on goal.
Hope scored nine goals across the two games, with Cade Pratt leading the offensive effort with three goals on Saturday.
The Flying Dutch (8-6) return to action this weekend with another GL6 Conference series against Calvin University. Hope hosts the Knights on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Holland Ice Arena before traveling to Eagles Ice Arena in Grand Rapids on Saturday, Nov. 14, for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.
