Club hockey tied for first after homestand

November 5, 2007 —

The Cardinals snatched the first place position this weekend after a three game series playing Northwood University, Eastern Kentucky University and Grand Valley State University.

Northwood proved to challenge the team as the Cardinals kept their ground through the first two periods Wednesday night. The teams were tied at 4-4 by the mid third period but the tie-breaking goal was given up after Saginaw took several penalties.

"We don't know how to finish games," explained assistant coach Ryan Michaels. "We outplayed Northwood most of the game but we shot ourselves in the foot at the third period. It happens every game."

After losing to Northwood on October 31, Saginaw came back to dominate Eastern Kentucky University. Junior forward Matt Fogal and freshman forward Chris Tibaudo both pulled off hat tricks in the 12-4 win.

"The only reason I got those goals was because I found open ice and my line mates found me," Tibaudo commented.

The Cardinals were able to keep the Colonels off the scoreboard well into the second period. Despite a large number of penalties to both teams, senior goalie Kevin Moore managed to block all but one shot by the end of the second. During the third period, Kentucky managed to score 3 more goals.

"Overall we played well," said Tibaudo. "The whole team was moving the puck and Moore, our goalie made some great saves when he had to."

Assistant Captain Brian Jensen also noticed the team come together.

"I think tonight we finally played to our potential. We're coming together as a team and are finding our groove."

Jake Trombley, also assistant captain, agreed with Jensen.

"We had a player-only meeting last week and we really came together as a unit," Trombley explained. "We're playing smarter hockey and it's showing on the ice."

Grand Valley looked to beat the Cardinals Saturday night but was not successful in their expectations. After a Grand Valley goal early in the first period, sophomore forward Jon Tibaudo tied the game, scoring Saginaw's first goal assisted by Chris Tibaudo and Fogal.

"We just know where we are," Fogal commented on his assist. "By practicing every day and hanging out we make a bond and we know where we'll be without having to look."

Good defense by the Cardinals as well as freshman goalie Alan Fritch's saves kept the game at a tie until the third period. Saginaw didn't let any shots in, but Grand Valley's defense did not let up either.

Assisted by Jon and Chris Tibaudo, Fogal broke the 1-1 tie at 7:15 in the third. Junior forward Jake Trombley assisted sophomore defenseman and captain Pat Miller as he scored on an open net as the buzzer sounded.

As the three-game series concluded, Jon Tibaudo had gotten nine points within the last two games, seven being against Eastern Kentucky.

"My line mates work together well and we find each other on the ice," Tibaudo explained. "We move the puck around effectively."

For fans, the win against Grand Valley was a big one, but Fogal explained, "It's no different than any other game, you know what you gotta do. We don't look at the jerseys, we just play."