Box Score HANCOCK, Mich. – Sophomore Chris Hinrichs scored two goals and senior Nick Kohn posted his ninth career shutout as the No. 14 MSOE hockey team routed Finlandia 6-0 Sunday afternoon at the Houghton County Arena.
The Raiders (12-5, 7-5 NCHA) capped a weekend sweep of the Lions (1-15-3, 1-11-2 NCHA) while allowing just 23 shots on goal over two games.
Hinrichs, a defenseman, led the offensive barrage, as junior Jordan Guth scored for the second-straight game and sophomores Conner Enciso, Brett Wagner and Patrick Dwyer also lit the lamp. Wagner added two assists in the game, while junior Brandon Unser and sophomore Omar Mullan also notched a pair of assists each.
After putting off getting on the scoreboard until midway through the second period Saturday, MSOE jumped ahead early as Hinrichs scored his first goal of the game just 4:22 into the contest. Enciso then followed suit just over three minutes later at 7:36 for a 2-0 lead. Mullan assisted on both goals, while freshman Matthew Romund also helped on Enciso's goal.
The Raiders broke the game open with three goals in the second period. Wagner opened the frame's scoring at just the 2:43 mark off assists from Unser and Guth. Dwyer then netted a goal at 6:28 unassisted. Hinrichs notched his second goal off an assist from Wagner at 16:16 to expand the visitor's lead to 5-0.
For the second-straight day, Guth capped the scoring. While Saturday's goal was the game-winner, his Sunday tally gave the Red & White its biggest win of the season and tied a season-high for goals in a game. He came through at the 10:21 mark with help from Unser and Wagner.
In addition to the offense clicking on all cylinders, the defense turned up the pressure and allowed just 11 shots in front of Kohn. The senior netminder was up to the task, stopping each shot for his second shutout of the season. He also lowered his goals against average to just 1.79 for the year.
The 11 shots are the fewest the Red & White have allowed in a game since it gave up 10 Feb. 21, 2009, and the 23 shots in the series are the fewest in back-to-back games since head coach Mark Ostapina took over the program ahead of the 2001-02 season.
MSOE took 29 shots in the game, forcing Walker Enstad into 23 saves. The game also featured just three total penalties for six minutes.
The Raiders return to the ice with a home-and-home series against Marian next weekend. The Sabres are ranked 15th in the D3hockey.com national poll. Puck drops in the opener Friday at 8 p.m.