MANDAN, ND –
Johnny Witzke netted the game-winning goal with a tremendous individual effort and had a hand in two other goals to lead the University of Mary hockey team past the University of Providence 4-1. The weekend sweep extends the Marauders win streak to nine straight games, including four over the Argos.
Tied 1-1 after both teams scored within the first two minutes of play, Witzke changed the complexion of the contest midway through the second period. After an Argos skated tripped over the blue line, Witzke picked up the puck near the Marauders bench, breezed past one defender and shifted through the right circle towards the slot. Dangling the puck past the lone defender between him and the goal, the Bismarck, ND, native ripped a shot just under the crossbar and over the glove of goalkeeper Tristan Lewis to give the Marauders a 2-1 lead at 9:31.
Less than two minutes later, the Argos looked to tie the game with a penalty shot opportunity but
Conan Hayton was strong in net for the Marauders, using his pads and the pipe to stone Providence. It was the second time in the period that the Argos were denied with help from the pipe.
An explosive final two minutes of the second period changed the complexion of the game as UMary tallied twice in the final 93 seconds to grow a 1-goal lead into a 4-1 advantage entering the second intermission.
Andrew Huber struck first at 18:27, using assists from Witzke and Flicek.
Kyler Moore then sealed the game with 42 seconds left on the clock, driving home the puck off a feed from Flicek and
Zach Garrett to give UMary an insurmountable lead.
The Marauders (20-1-2-1) defense dominated the final period as Hayton made 22 saves and kept the Argos (2-4-0-0) out of the net.
UMary returns to action 7 pm on Wednesday, February 3, when the Marauders host Dakota College of Bottineau at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink. After facing the Lumberjacks the Marauders embark on a six-game road trip.
FINAL University of Mary 4 University of Providence 1
University of Providence 1 0 0 - 1
University of Mary 1 3 0 - 4
First Period
1. UMary,
Zach Garrett 11 (
Andrew Heckaman,
Johnny Witzke), PPG, 1:17. 2. UP, Taylor McCall 3 (Reed Link), 2:33.
Second Period
3. UMary, Witzke 6, 9:31. 4. UMary,
Andrew Huber 9 (Witzke,
Alex Flicek), 18:27. 5.
Kyler Moore 9 (Flicek, Garrett), 19:18.
Third Period
No scoring
Shots on Goal
University of Providence 7-11-5-23. University of Mary 17-26-15-58.
Penalties: Providence 6 for 12. UMary 6 for 12.
Power Play Opportunities: University of Providence 0 / 6; University of Mary 1 / 6.
Goalies: University of Providence, Tristan Lewis 1-3-0-0 (58 shots-54 saves). University of Mary,
Conan Hayton 10-1-0-0 (23 shots-22 saves).
T: 2:09
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