GREELEY, CO – The battle between the top two teams in the ACHA Division II West region proved no contest. Despite a three-week layoff, the top-ranked University of Mary hockey team dominated on both ends of the rink in a rugged 4-0 road win over #2 University of Northern Colorado.
In a game featuring a combined 26 penalties for 127 minutes and three disqualifications, the Marauders scored single goals in each of the first two periods before finishing off the Bears with a pair of power play goals in the final stanza. UMary held a massive 44-25 edge in shots.
Eight Marauders picked up points in the game with
Marshall Tschida leading the way with a pair of assists. Tschida leads the Marauders with 33 helpers in 34 games.
Despite facing five power plays,
Aaron Nelson remained a wall in the net for the Marauders, turning away all 25 shots he faced. It was the fifth shutout of the season posted by the Bismarck, ND, native.
The Marauders wasted no time in grabbing an early lead when
Drew Lenertz scored unassisted just 5:31 into the contest. For Lenertz is was his second game-winning goal of the year.
Alex Flicek doubled the UMary lead 1:11 into the second period to 2-0 with Tschida picking up his first assist of the game. It was Flicek's team-leading 30
th goal of the season. Both Flicek and Tschida are tied for the team points lead with 43.
UMary salted the game away with two power play goals in the third period.
Ben Kottmeier found the net at 7:06 on the man advantage and
Jakob Parisien capped the scoring at 18:14. The Marauders finished the game 2-for-8 on the power play.
The Marauders improve to 29-3-2 overall and improve to 19-0-1 against teams ranked in the ACHA West region poll. UMary is now 2-0 against UNC.
Next up for UMary during a three-game swing in the Rocky Mountains is a visit to the University of Denver on Saturday, Jan. 5. Game time is 10 pm CDT / 9 pm MT. The Marauders conclude their trip with a rematch at Northern Colorado on Monday, Jan. 7 at 9 pm CDT/ 8 pm MT.
#marauders#
