Trojans Win Final Preseason Tuneup 3-2

Troy, OH - On what turned out to be a cold windy Sunday evening in Downtown Troy, the Troy Trojans varsity hockey team turned up the heat inside the historic Hobart Arena, defeating the Mason Comets 3-2 in the final preseason exhibition game.

In the first meeting between the teams since Troy pulled off a thrilling come from behind win back on December 15, Sunday's game picked up right where their prior meeting left off, with both teams feeding off each other's tempo to create an end to end game right from the start. 

Tensions mounted throughout the period, and a costly high sticking penalty behind the play led to the first powerplay of the game for the Comets, and it was Blake Mahoney (15) at the 9:17 mark in the first that capitalized on the Troy penalty, beating Trojans rookie netminder Austin Clark (30) with a wrister to make it a 1-0 hockey game.

Yet the Trojans continued to pressure the Comets, battling in what would become a physical game for puck control, featuring several big hits by both clubs. At the first intermission, the visitors held onto the 1-0 lead.

The second period saw an exchange of fire by both teams, and just over three minutes into the frame, Troy's Gaven Burris (9) blasted a shot past Mason goaltender Nik Todorov (30) to tie the game at one a piece. Burris's goal, his first of the preseason, came at the 3:32 mark and was assisted by Joey Brussell (20) and Cole DeBrosse (25).

Not even for long, the Mason Comets answered with a long wrister from the high slot that beat Clark high at 9:39 to recapture the lead 2-1 in the second. Both teams skated into the dressing room after two periods with the Trojans trailing the Comets by a goal. 

In nearly the same way the Trojans defeated the Comets back in December, Troy's senior leadership cashed in on two key chances in the third period to tie the game, and ultimately secure the win by the final horn.

Troy senior Kellen Glover strongarmed his way into scoring position in the low slot, blasting the tying goal past Todorov just :33 seconds into the third period, his first goal of the preseason unassisted.

The hits intensified in the third, with the Trojans earning three Clopay Powerplay opportunities, yet it was the hard work of senior winger Connor Sexton (4) from Garrett Paff (14) that lit the lamp and gave the Trojans the lead at the 9:13 mark. 

Mason pulled Todorov in the final minute for the extra attacker, yet the final shot on Clark was stopped and at the horn allowed the Trojans their first win this season. Final score 3-2 Trojans.

Troy finished their preseason schedule 1-2 and open the regular season next weekend as part of the 2020 Frozen Creek Tournament at the NTPRD Chiller in downtown Springfield.