PROVO, UT – Playing in the Mountain West Collegiate Hockey League tournament for the first time in program history, the University of Mary hopes of winning a championship title fell short in a 3-2 overtime loss to the University of Providence.
Ineligible last season to compete in any championship events as a first-year program, the Marauders moved into title contention in their first playoff opportunity after defeating Utah State University 7-4 in the MWCHL semifinals. Seeded first in the MWCHL tournament and the nation's top-ranked ACHA Division 2 squad, UMary needed to get by the tournament's second seed and the region's second-ranked Argos for the title.
In a matchup between two teams who had split a two-game series earlier this winter, the Argos struck first. Taking advantage of one of seven UMary penalties in the game, Providence scored a power play goal at the 17:59 mark of the second period.
The Marauders looked to regain control in the second, scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead.
Kyler Moore evened the game at 15:12, solving the Argos defense with help from
Jonathan Sundell and
Andrew Heckaman. Just 135 seconds later,
Dalton Johnson scored shorthanded to give the Marauders their first lead of the night.
Zach Garrett provided the assist.
Taking advantage of another of seven power play opportunities, Cody Hendrickson converted with the man advantage for the Argos and tied the game at the 7:03 mark of the third period.
Unable to determine a winner in regulation, the game was decided quickly in overtime. Leo Felt scored 18 seconds into the extra session to give Providence the Mountain West tournament title.
The Marauders (37-7 overall) held the edge in shots in every period but overtime, posting a 38-25 advantage over the Argos (22-6).
The biggest disparity of the game came in penalties and power play opportunities. The Marauders were cited seven times for 14 minutes while the Argos was penalized once for two minutes. UMary failed to score on its one power play opportunity while Providence was 2-for-7.
UMary returns to the ice this weekend with a home-and-home series with the University of Jamestown ACHA Division I team. The Marauders and the Jimmies play in Jamestown, ND, on Friday, Feb. 15, before facing off in Mandan, ND, on Saturday, Feb. 15.
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