Hounds take four points from visiting Sabres

KALAMAZOO – The West Michigan Hounds came out flying in the first period of their home finale, jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead and never looking back as they took four of six possible points during an undefeated weekend against Shattuck St. Mary’s.

The Hounds (6-9-6) won 5-2 in the first game, and then tied 1-1 and 2-2 in the final two games to pull ahead of the Sabres (6-4-5), at least temporarily, in the standings.

Ted Morrissey and Sean Gruenhagen scored goals 2:30 apart in the opening five minutes of the weekend. Shattuck was able to get to within one, but two goals from Forrestt Walbeck helped West Michigan clinch the win.

In total, the Hounds scored three power-play markers to win their sixth game of the year. Nick Light stopped 28 Shattuck shots for his third win of the year.

Despite a 52-28 shot advantage in the second game, the Sabres never held a lead. Walbeck netted a penalty shot goal in the first period for the home team and Noah Westphal answered in the second period, but neither team would score again.

Nikita Chubukin made 52 saves, while Aaron Altmeyer stopped 27.

Alex Rodriguez scored 42 seconds into the finale for SSM, and the lead stood for more than a period before Sean Gruenhagen, the Hounds leading scorer, tied it. The teams exchanged third-period goals, with Greg Betzold’s tying marker coming with just 1:30 remaining in the contest.