MANDAN, ND – The University of Mary continued its convincing takedown of the top programs in the American College Hockey Association Division II Western Division. Hosting four out of the ten teams ranked in the final Western ratings at the end of last season, the Marauders 5-2 win over Northern Colorado gave UMary a clean four-game sweep at the EverSpring Inn and Suites Icebreaker.
The Marauders also remain undefeated in program history as UMary extended its win streak to eight games in its inaugural season.
Northern Colorado was ranked third in the West in the final 2017-18 poll and advanced to the national tournament. Northern Arizona was ranked first, Denver fifth and Boise State 10
th in the west.
For the first time all season, UMary did not score the opening goal of the game. Northern Colorado jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 1:34 into the game on a Colin Chemelka goal.
The Marauders retaliated in a big way, scoring the next four goals.
Alex Flicek, who potted a pair of goals the previous game, kept his hot touch. The Bismarck, ND, native knotted the game with a power play goal at 12:55.
UMary struck twice in the second period. Andy Huber scored an even strength goal 1:36 into the period to push the Marauders ahead.
Drew Lenertz increased the Marauders lead to 3-1 at 8:07 on UMary's second power play goal of the night.
Bryce Eckman used a feed from
Josh Colleaux to give the Marauders an insurmountable lead at 4-1 at 7:12 of the final period. Northern Colorado refused to fade away and converted a power play at 12:58 before Flicek found an empty net with one minute remaining in the game to give him his second goal of the night and fourth in two games.
A rough night, the Marauders were whistled for 41 penalty minutes on 11 infractions while UNC had 37 minutes on nine penalties. UMary finished 2-for-5 on the power play while UNC went 1-for-7.
In another impressive game in goal for the Marauders,
Aaron Nelson made a season-high 34 saves.
The EverSpring Inn and Suites Icebreaker ends Monday, Oct. 1, when Northern Colorado and Boise State face off at noon and Williston State and Northern Arizona face off at 3 pm.
The Marauders next compete at the Boise State Bronco Hockey Showcase Oct. 4-7 in Boise , ID. UMary opens up against Utah State on Oct. 4, followed by Boise State on Oct. 5, Weber State on Oct. 6 and Texas A&M on Oct.7.
The next home game for the Marauders is Oct. 13-14 against Montana State.
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