FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech men's ice hockey team opened their Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference campaign with a series sweep over the Cleary University Cougars in which they found the Cougar net 21 times. The Warriors dominated the series opener on Friday evening, winning 14-1 before closing the series with a 7-2 win on the road Saturday afternoon. The Warriors move to 5-2-0 on the season and open at 2-0-0 in the WHAC.
 
On Friday, the Warriors scored early and often, with four first-period goals coming from Aidan Dufort, Joey Mocnik, TJ Dougan, and Colton Nikiforuk. Assisting goals in the first period were Brandon Plummer (2), Alex Arnold (2), Martin Rudolf, TJ Dougan, and Wil Campbell. Tech didn't slow down in the second as they added to their lead with 5 more goals. Scoring in the second period were Avery Smith, Malik Ali, Alex Arnold, TJ Dougan, and Aidan Dufort. Braedyn Funke, Brandon Plummer, Avery Smith, Alex Carrothers, and TJ Dougan set up goals with assists in the second. Cleary notched one back to open the third period off the stick of Wes Smith, but Tech scored five more from Joey Mocnik, Colton Nikiforuk (2), Pavel Svoboda, and Francesco Santaniello. Mason Bazaluk, Wil Campbell (2), Avery Smith (2), Francesco Santaniello, Connor Funke (2), and Joey Mocnik recorded assists in the third. Braedyn Funke played the whole 60 minutes in the net for the Warriors, recording 19 saves.
 
On Saturday, Tech traveled to Howell, Michigan, to finish the series with Cleary at the 140 Ice Den. The Warriors struck first with a goal from Colton Nikiforuk, assisted by Malik Ali and Avery Smith, to go into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead. Tech scored twice early in the second period off the sticks of Avery Smith and Joey Mocnik, with assists from Colton Nikiforuk and Luke Anderson. Cleary grabbed two powerplay goals to close the second period and go into the intermission with Tech leading 3-2. The Warriors found the net four times in the final period to seal the victory. Scoring in the third period were Luke Anderson, Malik Ali (2), and Avery Smith. Recording assists in the third for the Warriors were TJ Dougan, Joey Mocnik, Avery Smith (2), and Malik Ali. Ty Barnhill played 60 minutes between the pipes for the Orange and Black with 21 saves.
 
Tech travels to Byron Center, Michigan, on Friday for the opening game of their series with Aquinas College. Puck drop for the opener is set for 7:30 p.m., with game two set for 5:30 p.m. back on the Warriors home ice in Fort Wayne.