Club hockey rebounds with two clutch wins

By MIKE GLADYSZ

After starting the weekend before Thanksgiving with a disappointing loss to Towson, the Pitt… After starting the weekend before Thanksgiving with a disappointing loss to Towson, the Pitt men’s Division I club hockey team skated its way to clutch wins against Maryland and No. 24-ranked Navy, upping its record to 9-4.

The Panthers found themselves in a close game against Towson on Friday, but the Tigers scored on an empty net late in the third period, putting Pitt away for good 3-1.

The Panthers came back hungry on Saturday though, scoring five goals in the first period and cruising the rest of the way to defeat the Maryland Terrapins 5-1. Four different Panthers found the back of the net, including freshman Kyle Murphy, who recorded his first career goal at Pitt. Justin Thomas added two goals and an assist in the victory.

Pitt’s matchup against the Naval Academy on Sunday proved to be a bit tougher, but the Panthers got help from goaltender Ed Nusser and an offensive explosion by Thomas, taking the game 3-2 in overtime. Nusser recorded 53 saves and Thomas scored his third goal of the game in overtime, earning him a hat trick and propelling the Panthers to their ninth win of the year.

Pitt now looks ahead to matchups at West Virginia and Mercyhurst next weekend.