The Lake Forest College men's hockey team defeated visiting Concordia University Wisconsin 3-2 Friday night in the season opener for both teams. Sophomore forward Billy Kent scored the Foresters' first goal of the season and added the game-winner in the third period.
Kent's first score of the night tied the game at one less than four minutes into the contest. He was assisted by fellow sophomore forward Shawn Nelson.
Concordia Wisconsin regained the lead at the 8:33 mark of the opening period and still had a 2-1 advantage at the first intermission. The visitors outshot Lake Forest 9-6 in the period.
The Foresters killed four penalties and the Falcons two in the second. Concordia Wisconsin had a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal in the period but Lake Forest freshman forward Drew Cleereman netted the only goal at 17:12. His first career score was assisted by junior defenseman Mark Esshaki and tied the game at two.
Kent's second career game-winning goal came exactly four minutes into the third period and, like his first score of the night, was assisted by Nelson.
Concordia Wisconsin put a dozen shots on goal to the Foresters' eight in the final period and the Falcons finished the night with a 30-21 edge in that category.
Lake Forest senior goaltender Leo Podolsky made 28 saves in the contest and turned away each of the final 23 shots on goal he faced.
The teams will complete the home-and-home series in Mequon, Wisconsin, Saturday night at 7:00. The winner of the series will receive the Border Battle Cup, which the Foresters claimed last year with a 9-1 victory at home and a 5-1 triumph on the road. If Concordia Wisconsin wins on Saturday, a shootout will occur immediately after the contest to decide this year's Border Battle champion.
