Machado's hat trick spurs comeback win for Trojans

CALGARY, ALTA., (Feb. 3, 2023) - Brandon Machado's third goal of the night proved to be the most important.

The Airdrie product finished off his hat trick with just 8 seconds remaining in the third to lead his SAIT Trojans men's hockey team to a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the visiting Concordia University of Thunder Friday night in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) action played at Winsport Arena.

SAIT remains in second place in the ACAC standings with a 12-7 mark, while the Thunder fall to 7-9-1.

Things did not start well for the home side, as they spotted their guests a 3-0 lead in the opening period - two of the goals coming off the stick of Grayson Reid and the other by Isaac Leik.

It wasn't all bad news, as the Trojans cut the lead to just two goals with 14 seconds left in the frame thanks to Carson's Welke's first of two on the night.

SAIT cut the lead to 3-2 in the second when Machado scored his first of the night. However, the Thunder regained their two-goal cushion courtesy a goal from Tyler Schendel.

Down 4-2 going into the final period, Welke again cut the lead to one with his second of the night before Machado took the game into his own hands.

Up a man thanks to a 5-minute checking to the head penalty, Machado drew things even with his second of the contest. With overtime looking like a possibility, Machado capped his three-goal night to cement the win for the Trojans.

Machado, who now has 10 goals and 29 points in 19 games, was named his team's Player of the Game. 

The team's will finish their home-and-home set Saturday night back in Edmonton.