ANGOLA, IN (January 4, 2019) – Luciano Bucci recorded his fourth goal of the year in the first period, but four unanswered goals gave the host Trine University men's ice hockey team a 5-1 victory over King's College on Friday night from the Thunder Ice Arena.

The Thunder took an early lead as William Casey knocked in a loose puck out of a scrum in front of the crease following a save by Brandon Daigle on a shot by Alex Johanson 4:17 into the contest. The Monarchs evened the score at 9:31 when Bucci intercepted a pass inside the blue line and then ripped a wrist shot from the right side into the back of the net for his 11th point of the season and 25th of his career.

Trine freshman Garrett Hallford scored three straight goals for his first career hat trick to put the Thunder up 4-1. The forward scored the game-winning goal at 16:05 of the first when he intercepted a pass while on the penalty kill and beat Daigle to the left on a breakaway for his eighth goal of the season. He struck again with 21 seconds left in the second period when he knocked in his own rebound in front of the net. Hallford completed the hat trick 3:50 into the third period on another breakaway goal as Hunter Payment found his streaking down the ice on a long pass from the Thunder defensive zone. Blake Robertson wrapped up the scoring with 1:17 left in the game when he scored his fifth goal of the season from the left side through traffic in front of net.

The Thunder (5-8-1) had a 32-10 shot advantage in the game. The Monarchs (1-14-0) recorded a season-low one penalty in the game but were unable to take advantage of six power play opportunities as the hosts were perfect on the penalty kill.

Bucci finished the game with three shots and led the team on faceoffs winning 11 of his 19 attempts. Daigle finished with 27 saves in net making nine in the first, 12 in the second, and six in the third. King's won 31 of 60 faceoffs as Cameron Anklewich won nine of his 17 attempts, David Sovik won six of his 10 attempts, and Tyler O'Mara won five of his 11 attempts.

Hallford scored his three goals on six shots while winning 13 of 16 faceoffs. Brett Young picked up the win in goal making nine saves.

The teams will hit the ice again tomorrow afternoon as they will wrap up their weekend series at 4 p.m. back at the Thunder Ice Arena.