Hockey Club honors fallen teammate with home-opening win

Playing with a heavy heart, the UM-Flint Hockey Club suited up and hit the ice Oct. 23.

UM-Flint hosted the Xavier University Musketeers at Perani Arena and Event Center and took a 10-3 win in honor of their fallen former teammate, Chris Gruno.

Friday's game opened with a remembrance of Gruno, a UM-Flint student and hockey player who was killed in a car accident this past March. The club gave his jersey to his parents and the team wore his number 16 on their helmets in his honor.

“It helped to get out to the early lead," Ryan Stevenson said. "It fired up the team.”

Stevenson scored in the first minute of play and the team added three more in the opening period with goals from Spencer Irvin, Aaron Rihacek, and another goal from Stevenson, who also had an assist in the game.

Nick Manningham, a freshman who has had prior experience playing for the Flint Junior Generals scored a goal and added four assists.

“That's my job,” Manningham said. "To set people up for the score.”

Irvin had a hat trick by game's end. UM-Flint also received  goals from Mike Blackstock, Jared Sayers, and Nathan Robson.

Goalie Kirk Allen had 27 saves on the night.

Despite the early lead, which took pressure off Allen, he said he still had some issues to deal with.

“I only faced about one shot in the first 10 minutes, so I got cold,” Allen said . “Then I'd get a rush, then I'd get cold again.”

The win moved UM-Flint's record to 3-3 on the season with one another game the following afternoon still to come.

“It's always nice to get a win,” said Coach Bill Golling. “I am proud of the progress these young men have made.”

The team will travel to play Oakland University Friday, October 30 and will have a bye on Saturday.

The UM-Flint Hockey Club, now in its third season, has started to see improvement through the years.

“In our first season, the scores were lopsided in our losses," Golling said. "Our second season, the scores got more competitive.

"I'm pleased with where we are now.”

Andrew can be reached at afergers@umflint.edu.

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