MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO – A trio of goals in the span of 47 in the second period carried the University of Mary to a 4-1 win over Liberty University in a meeting between two of the nation's top American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 programs. Playing the opening game of the Lindenwood Showcase and facing off against one another for the fourth time this season, the top-ranked and defending national champion Marauders evened their season series with the 3^rd ranked Flames at two wins apiece.
 
In a rematch of the 2021 ACHA M2 championship semifinals, the Marauders have won the last two meetings of the 2021-22 season against the Flames. Liberty opened this year's series with a pair of home wins before UMary won game three in Lynchburg, Va., back in mid October.
 
The Marauders victory extends UMary's win streak to 11, the 5^th longest in program history. UMary improves to 16-2 on the season with both losses to Liberty. The Flames fall to 11-2 with both losses to the Marauders.
 
Stunned momentarily by a Flames goal in the closing seconds of the first period, the Marauders bounced back in the second. Following a brilliant save by Conan Hayton on a Liberty breakaway, UMary found the equalizer a few minutes later.
 
Firing a pass from the Marauders defensive zone, Kyler Moore just missed Zach Garrett at center ice and the puck shot all the way down the rink. Garrett, who outskated the Flames defender to the puck behind the Lindenwood net to wipe off a possible icing call, located Marshall Tschida left alone in the slot and placed the puck on the tape of the UMary defenseman's stick. Without hesitation Tschida unleased a shot from the right circle back to the left side of the net to pull UMary even at the 8:37 mark.
 
Tschida's goal opened the floodgates for the Marauders. Moments later, Seth Cushing was left unattended in the left circle. Taking an uncontested pass from Johnny Witzke stationed atop the left point, Cushing skated just below the left dot and ripped a shot home for the second UMary goal of the game and period at 9:11.
 
Isaiah Thomas kept the Marauders outburst rolling just 13 seconds later. Picking up a loose puck in the left circle, Thomas skated unfettered into the slot and lifted a shot into the upper reaches of the Flames net for a 3-1 lead at 9:24.
   
Tschida nearly added to the Marauders lead on a shorthanded breakaway midway through the third period but was stoned by Flames goalkeeper Lane Skon.
 
A Justin Ohnstad breakaway goal at 13:33 sealed the win for the Marauders. With his minor penalty for slashing expired and just released from the penalty box, Ohnstad was on his way across the rink to the UMary bench when he picked up the puck at center ice behind the Flames defensive corps. Skating in alone on Skon, Ohnstad cut to his left across the face of the net and buried the puck on a beautiful backhand for UMary's fourth and final goal of the game.
 
Hayton finished the game with 20 saves for the Marauders. Skon stopped 26 shots for the Flames.
 
The UMary penalty kill unit had another strong day, holding Liberty scoreless on three opportunities with a man advantage. The Marauders have now skated off 42 straight power play opportunities for their opponents.
 
The Marauders next face showcase host and 5^th ranked Lindenwood University Lions at 7:52 pm on Saturday, Nov. 20, in Maryland Heights, MO.
 
M2 Liberty University 1 at M2 University of Mary 4 - Status: Final
Friday, November 19, 2021 - Centene Community Ice Center
 
M2 Liberty University 1 0 0 - 1
M2 University of Mary 0 3 1 - 4
 
1st Period-1, M2 Liberty University, Neal 4 (Doe, Lamoureux), 19:58. Penalties-Wilkie Libm2 (tripping), 7:36; Hanson Umary (tripping), 16:41.
 
2nd Period-2, M2 University of Mary, Tschida 5 (Garrett, Moore), 8:37. 3, M2 University of Mary, Cushing 12 (Witzke, Thomas), 9:18. 4, M2 University of Mary, Thomas 5 (Cushing, Hanson), 9:24. Penalties-No Penalties
 
3rd Period-5, M2 University of Mary, Ohnstad 3   13:33. Penalties-Garrett Umary (roughing), 8:06; Ohnstad Umary (slashing), 11:25.
 
Shots on Goal-M2 Liberty University 9-7-5-21. M2 University of Mary 9-13-8-30.
Power Play Opportunities-M2 Liberty University 0 / 3; M2 University of Mary 0 / 1.
Goalies-M2 Liberty University, Skon 4-1-0-0 (30 shots-26 saves). M2 University of Mary, Hayton 3-0-0-0 (21 shots-20 saves).
A-12
 
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