A key play to swing momentum and a milestone moment were instrumental in the Kent State University Golden Flashes two-game series sweep against Oswego State University last weekend in Upstate New York.  

    The Flashes hope to carry that momentum into Grand Rapids this weekend when they open Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey action against Calvin College.

      After trailing Oswego State, 3-0, beyond the midway point of the weekend’s opening contest, Kent State University head coach Jim Underwood implored his fourth line to provide a boost to his team’s efforts; and they responded.

     “After we gave up the third goal, we put the fourth line out there,” explained Underwood. “I told them I wanted energy and they went out there, stripped a puck away and got a breakaway goal. That play changed the entire course of that game. We ended up putting two more pucks in the net (in the second period) and we were tied, 3-3, going into the third period. We took control from there.”

     That game-changing fourth line consisted of Alex Halupnik, Nathan Butkowski and Lucas Ethington. Ethington provided the game-changing goal.

    Kent racked up four additional goals in the third period, earning the 7-4 victory.

     A five-point (1 goal 4 assists) performance offered by junior Sean Moore during that first game of the series earned Moore his 100th career point as a Golden Flash.

     Moore has accumulated 48 goals and 52 assists on route to the milestone.

     “That is quite an achievement to accomplish that this early in his junior year,” observed Underwood.

     Senior John Buttitta netted a pair of goals in the rally and is a mere two goals away from notching 100 career goals at Kent State University.

     “When John and Sean are at their best, our team seems to be playing at its best as well,” Underwood said.

     In game two of the weekend, the Golden Flashes took advantage of special teams play early in the match tallying a pair of first period power play scores and, with a third opening period goal never looked back in a 3-1 win for the series sweep.

     “We controlled the play and we held an extreme advantage in shots. While we struggled putting the puck in the net the rest of the game, I was pleased with how way we played the full 60 minutes,” declared Underwood.

     This upcoming weekend provides the Golden Flashes an opportunity to pick up six important league points against Calvin College.

     “With only 14 league games in a season, I look at those points as premium. If we want to consider ourselves a top three team in our league and want to have a chance to play for a regular season league championship and league playoff championship, these are six points we cannot lose,” assessed Underwood.

    “If we want to put ourselves in the same conversation as Adrian College and Davenport University, they don’t lose these points. It’s important.”

Blue Line Notes:

--Sophomore Jason Smith has returned to action this season after missing most of his freshman season with an injury. Underwood praised Smith’s efforts and believes he is getting better every day.

--A pair of freshmen goaltenders saw action during the Oswego State series when Nicholas Mizen (Sydney Australia) and Shea Spanier (Burlington Vermont) each started a contest, and each earned their first collegiate victories.

--Special teams play has been improving for Kent State. The have achieved a 25% success rate on the power play and the penalty kill continues to improve according to Underwood.

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