The Oakland University club hockey team (25-9-1) closed out its regular season home schedule Saturday with a 13-0 victory over the University of Buffalo on Senior Night at the Onyx Ice Arena in Rochester.

Having already defeated Buffalo on Friday night, the Grizzlies were motivated to get the sweep for their senior class.

“It was great to win by that much on Senior Night, and looking back I know (the seniors) will appreciate the hard work the guys put in,” head coach Jeremy Bachusz said. “It was a nice night for them.”

Buffalo never recovered from its coach getting ejected late in the first period as the game was quickly reduced to chippy play and heated fans exchanging verbal blows. The lack of control was seen on the ice and helped Oakland seize the lead.

With Oakland leading 4-0 in the second period, Buffalo’s John Fitzgerald checked senior Brett Haugh from behind, knocking out some of his teeth as he hit the boards.

OU defenseman Colin Ronayne took exception to the hit and paired off with Fitzgerald in a fight. The two exchanged blows until Fitzgerald’s jersey came off and he was tackled to the ice. In the meantime, senior Kyle McMahon did some fighting of his own and bested his Buffalo counterpart.

“There was definitely a message sent. After all that, our team got back to doing what we do best,” McMahon said.

Haugh was carried off the ice and did not return for the game.

Oakland continued to score, getting goals from unexpected sources. Junior Ross Lane tallied the first two goals of his career at OU.

Stalwarts like senior captain Cody Austin also figured into the scoring with a goal in the third period.

Coach Bachusz credited Oakland’s patient power play, which had been ineffective in the last three games, with the victory.

“Patience; the guys relaxed a bit. I think they were gripping their sticks a bit too tight. They relaxed and found the net, that got them some confidence.”

Oakland’s power play was successful on three of its eight chances; this contributed to the Grizzlies outshooting Buffalo 46 to 10.

OU defenseman Jason Maltese had five points on the night, while forward Jesse Worrell had four.

At the end of the game, Oakland honored its three seniors — Haugh, Austin and McMahon — with an on-ice presentation.

“It means everything — you’ve got your family, you’ve got your friends and your fellow seniors. You couldn’t ask for a better night,” Austin said.

With three road games remaining, this may be the victory that galvanizes the team as Oakland prepares for sixth-ranked Liberty next weekend.

“(This game) was crazy. The boys played under control; that’s what the main key is. We will go into Liberty with our heads up,” Austin said.

The Grizzlies will play in the ACHA Division I National Tournament March 6-10.