Thunder Close Out Regular Season with Win

EDMONTON, AB (February 19, 2022) – The Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder played their last regular season home game by welcoming the Portage Voyageurs on Saturday night. The game was intense and fought hard right from the puck drop, but the Thunder ultimately took the game 3-2. 

The first period began with Portage Voyageurs taking an early lead with a quick goal by #28 Spencer Kennedy, assisted by #21 Nick Gidney and #12 Shaye Sommerfeld. This was quickly followed by another Voyageurs goal by #9 Brayden Dale. Thunder, looking to find answer, were able to sneak in a goal before the end of the first period by #28 Charlie Gawlicki. 

Starting the second period down 2-1, Thunder worked hard to find momentum and fight off the strong Voyageurs presence. Finding their footing, Thunder #18 Peter Tomaras scored a goal to tie up the second period 2-2.

The third period kept the intensity and showed both teams working hard to get an inch on one another but Concordia was able to strike and score early on by #19 Zach Carlson, assisted by #4 Xavier Parenteau. Exciting action followed as the Thunder and Voyageurs showed strong back and forth play. Even with Voyageurs pulling their goalie for the last two minutes, the Thunder were able to hold their lead and take the game 3-2. 

After the game, Head Coach Joey Bouchard commented on the game, "We had a tough loss last night and I thought our guys bounced back really good today - they showed some character. That was a tough win for us but our guys battled through. We've had a lot of hockey, eight games in the past 16 days. But they were able to find a way to pull it off and get the big two points and more importantly, we clinched second place. I don't remember the last time Concordia finished second place, I believe it's been 25 years, so we're proud of that accomplishment and our regular season. We're just gonna prepare ourselves here over the next couple of weeks and we're gonna be ready for the playoffs."

Concordia Thunder Player of the Game #18 Peter Tomaras had this to say after the game, "Well, we weren't happy with the way we played yesterday so we knew we had to come out tonight, especially to clinch a bye in the playoffs. So we were happy to get the win today and move into the playoffs."

Concordia University of Edmonton would like to recognize their graduating players #9 Matt Benko, #21 Tyler Benko, #23 Rory Davison, #2 Scott Allan, #11 Connor Manegre, #28 Charlie Gawlicki, #10 Curtis Peck and #31 Sam Visscher and wish them all the very best and success in their future endeavors. 

The ACAC Men's Hockey Championship begins March 4-6, 2022 and will run throughout the month. To learn more and check out the schedule, go to acac.ab.ca!