PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- The Trine University men's hockey team stayed close for two periods with the United States National Team Development Program Under 18 team (USNTDP U-18) but ultimately fell 8-1.
After falling behind early in the first, senior Corey Robertson (South Lyon, Mich.) pulled the Thunder back into a tie in the 13th minute of the contest. Sophomore Brendan Prappas (West Bloomfield, Mich.) added an assist on the goal.
The tie held into the final minute of the first period when USNTDP U-18 pulled ahead and took a 2-1 lead into the intermission.
Trine held the opposition off the board for most of the second period, allowing just another goal in the final minute of the period to trail 3-1 going into the final period.
USNTDP U-18 then found their offense, scoring five goals in the final period to take the game 8-1.
The exhibition contest does not count against the Thunder's record. The team will return home to host Concordia University Wisconsin on Thursday, Jan. 21. The contest is set to start at 5 p.m. and will be available for viewing on the Trine Broadcasting Network.