WARRIORS CLINCH NAILBITER VICTORY OVER SVSU BEHIND PERFORMANCES FROM MULLINS AND ZALEWSKI

SAGINAW, Mich. - The Warriors (2-5) got a thrilling win on Saturday night at Saginaw Valley State, emerging victorious 6-5 in double-overtime. After going down in the first period, the Warriors showcased some gutsy play to stay in the game and force the win. RCU's Cole Zelewski led the team with two goals, while Jake Mullins scored the winning goal in a shootout to seal the victory. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST PERIOD

• RCU put themselves ahead eight minutes into the first, with Mullins and Dustin Smith setting up Maxximus Savel for RCU's first goal of the game. Eight minutes later, the Cardinals responded with two goals in quick succession, including one on a power play by the Cardinals' Joe Blair

SECOND PERIOD

• Forward Kyle Banks halted some of SVSU's momentum with a goal two minutes into the second period, assisted by Mullins. The Warriors would be challenged by a third goal from SVSU scored by Ben Wellnitz, but the Warriors countered with a crucial goal from Zelewski, assisted by Kyle Hauer, which gave the Warriors some much-needed momentum heading into the third

THIRD PERIOD

• Shaun Zatelli gave the Warriors a massive opportunity to flip the game with a short-handed goal assisted upon by Zelewski and Banks. Zelewski continued his massive game with a goal three minutes later to give the Warriors a two-goal lead. Despite the shift, the Cardinals answered with two goals in two minutes, tying the game and forcing overtime

OVERTIME

• RCU's work was cut out for them in overtime, with goalkeeper Dominic Carnaghi locking things down and ensuring the Warriors wouldn't get behind. Carnaghi made a few big saves en route to his 44 total saves, and set up the Warriors for a shootout opportunity. There, Mullins would get the puck behind SVSU's keeper to give the Warriors their second win of the season

STAT OF THE GAME

• Zelewski's two goals were a career-high

UP NEXT

The Warriors resume WHAC play on Oct. 25, hosting Indiana Tech. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications