MANDAN, ND – Providing Marauders fans chances to throw teddy bears on the ice early and often, the University of Mary owned the first and third periods and earned a 6-2 win over visiting North Dakota State University in ACHA hockey. Six Marauders scored goals and 11 UMary skaters contributed points on the night as UMary scored the only two goals in both the opening and closing periods.
 
It was the second annual Teddy Bear Toss for the UMary hockey team, where fans throw stuffed animals on the ice after the home team's first goal. The toys are then collected and donated to a local charity for distribution to area children.   
 
The win gives the Marauders their ninth win in their last 11 games and snaps a two-game losing streak. Ranked third in the nation and first in the ACHA Division II West Region, UMary improves to 25-5 on the season. NDSU, ranked 20^th in the ACHA Division II Central Region, falls to 11-9-1-1.
 
Marshall Tschida opened the scoring for the Marauders, finding the net just 4:50 into the game. Zach Garrett followed with a power play goal at 12:59 to double the Marauders advantage.
 
After the Bison scored the opening goal of the second period Logan Kraft and Seth Cushing pushed the Marauders lead to 4-1. Cushing's goal came with a man advantage as UMary finished the day 2-for-6 on the power play. NDSU closed out the scoring in the second to pull within 4-2.
 
Any thoughts of the Bison upsetting the Marauders ended early in the third period. Johnny Witzke scored unassisted at 2:36 before he set up Mathew Janke for the final goal of the game a little over four minutes later.
 
Garrett led all UMary players in scoring with three points, posting a goal and two helpers. Witzke and Tschida both finished with a goal and an assist in the game.
 
Solid in net once again, Lance Knudson posted 18 saves in the game to register the win and held the Bison off the scoreboard on four power play opportunities. NDSU's Jordan Elliot faced 46 shots and stopped 40.
 
The Marauders and the Bison conclude a two-game weekend series on Sunday, Dec. 15. Game time is 2 pm at the Schwan Cadillac Rink at Starion Sports Complex in Mandan, ND.
 
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