MANDAN, ND – Stunned 77 seconds into the game and facing a hot goaltender, the University of Mary hockey team rallied to a 3-1 victory past visiting Dakota College of Bottineau, ND, behind two third period goals from Josh Colleaux.
 
First in the final ACHA Division II West region rankings after spending every week atop the leaderboard, the Marauders improved to an astronomical 37-4-2-1 in UMary's inaugural season. The victory keeps the Marauders undefeated in three games this season against the Lumberjacks, ranked 13^th in the West region.
 
The Jacks shocked both the Marauders and the home crowd by scoring just 77 seconds into the game. Sliding into the slot in front of the Marauders net, Logan Robinson redirected a blast from Kyle Wahoski past UMary goaltender Aaron Nelson. Sliding down to protect against the initial shot, Nelson had no chance against the deflection. It proved to be the only shot that eluded Nelson all game.
 
Slow to start, the Marauders kept building the pressure against Jacks goaltender Connor Slipp. The Marauders held an 18-6 advantage in shots in the opening period but couldn't find the net.
 
The second session started in similar fashion until halfway through the stanza when the Marauders finally found a way to beat Slipp. On their third power play of the game, Marshall Tschida fired the puck from up top down the slot. With Slipp unable to corral the initial shot, Alex Flicek pounced on the puck and knocked home the tying goal at the 10:20 mark, his 36^th counter of the season.
 
Nelson kept the game even with a spectacular play before the end of the second, diving across the crease to block a shot that appeared would find an open net.
 
Colleaux took control of the game in the third period. Facing his former team from last season, Colleaux scored his 13^th goal of the season just 2:37 into the final frame off helpers from Andy Huber and Andrew Heckaman. The Minot, ND, native then struck again at 10:17. Taking a pass from Flicek on a breakout, Colleaux came in alone on Slipp. After deking to the 5-hole, Colleaux pulled the puck back and went short-side between the keeper and the right post to double the Marauders lead and seal the game.
 
Nelson finished another outstanding performance with 19 saves in 20 opportunities. Slipp stopped 58 of the Marauders 61 shots.
 
Both teams posted seven penalties. UMary finished 1-for-5 on the power play while Dakota College failed to connect on four opportunities.
 
The Marauders and Lumberjacks conclude their home and home weekend series on the Dakota College ice in Bottineau, ND, on Sunday, Feb. 17. Face off is 7:30 pm.
 
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