MIDDLESEX TWP — Members of Butler's hockey team laid a Batman shirt at center ice and circled around it for a moment of silence following the Golden Tornado's 6-0 win Monday night at Ice Connection.

Butler did it as a tribute to senior classmate Ethan Linnon, who died in a car crash Saturday morning.

The Golden Tornado's coaching staff also wore Batman shirts underneath their sport coats as a tribute to Linnon, who was a big fan of the superhero.

“With the recent events, we all understood what we had to do tonight,” senior forward Connor Scott said. “We did it for Ethan Linnon. It was really something special. Everyone knew what they had to do and came out and played their game.”

Butler was also fired up to play Canon-McMillan following its loss to the Big Macs in last season Penguins Cup final.

All of the different variables mixed together led to a fiery opening period from Butler (2-0).

“They came into this game very excited to exemplify to do what they can do for their friend,” second-year Butler coach Patrick Hammonds said. “It was pretty evident in the first period.”

Brendan Ackelson got the Golden Tornado's offense started.

Set up with a pass from Braiden Neff, Ackelson flipped the puck from the right side over Big Mac goalie Connor Hartnett's shoulder 5 minutes, 30 seconds into the game.

“We put it together and had a good game plan,” Ackelson said. “We were playing for our brother out there.”

Scott doubled the lead seven minutes later on the power play.

Sam Gross had the puck in front of the net and didn't connect with his shot. The puck slid toward Scott, who flicked it into the net.

“We always preach support each other, support each other,” said Scott, who also had two assists. “In that instance, I was behind Sam, the puck went through his legs and I put it in the net.”

Keeping their emotions in check was a key battle for Butler.

The Golden Tornado took eight penalties in a game that didn't take long to get chippy.

In the third period, a fight broke out between Butler's Cameron Barto and Canon-McMillan's Vincent Lavorgna. Both players were given game misconducts for the exchange, while Neff was ejected for leaving the bench to join the fracas.

Hammonds said playing in an emotional game is something he dicusses with his team.

“With any team, it's a fine line,” Hammonds said. “We've talked about our work ethic and competitive spirit. I think we have the best competitive spirit in the league. In order to do that, you have to play on the edge.”

Canon-McMillan (1-1-1) couldn't take advantage of Butler's penalties. The Big Macs finished 0-of-8 on the power play.

“We weren't patient enough to be organized,” Big Macs coach Joe Rodell said. “Their aggression took away our patience.”

The Golden Tornado, which outshot Canon-McMillan 41-14, never stopped being aggressive. Clay Potochny doubled the lead to 4-0 with two second-period goals.

“It was clearly an emotional night for them, they had jump early and we didn't answer,” Rodell said.

Barto and Trevor Gilliland added goals in the third period for Butler. Gilliland and Jonathan Fair also had two assists for the Golden Tornado.

Zach Schnur picked up the shutout for Butler, making 14 saves.