MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO – Playing a second straight game against one of the nation's top American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 teams at the Lindenwood Showcase, a late goal by the top-ranked University of Mary extended the Marauders unbeaten streak to 12 games after a 2-2 draw against the 5
th ranked Lindenwood University Lions.
In a game delayed an hour before the start of the second period when some board glass needed repair, the Marauders-Lions meeting came on day two of the Lindenwood Showcase. UMary defeated #3 Liberty University 4-1 to open the Showcase.
The Marauders struck early against the Showcase host. Controlling the puck behind the Lions net,
Jaren Hugelen found
Alex Flicek alone in the slot. The Marauders all-time leading goal scorer didn't hesitate and fired a shot into the upper reaches of the net for a quick score for UMary just 80 seconds into the game.
Taking advantage of their third power play opportunity of game, the Lions found the equalizer midway through the second period. It was the first power play goal the Marauders have allowed since the 8
th game of the year, a run of 44 straight penalty kills by UMary over ten games.
The homestanding Lions gained their only lead of the night a couple minutes into the third period on a goal by Bobby Bruss, who assisted on the Lions opening goal.
With time running out, Flicek outworked the Lions defenders behind the net to acquire the puck and spotted
Zach Garrett at the top of the slot. In a close facsimile of the Marauders first goal, the defending ACHA M2 Player of the Year took Flicek's pass and rifled home a shot to pull UMary even at 2-2 with less than three minutes left in regulation.
With neither team able to score in overtime the contest finished in a draw.
The Marauders would win the shootout 2-1 with Flicek and
Johnny Witzke scoring for UMary.
UMary held a 29 (5-8-14-2) – 27 (6-11-8-2) edge in shots on goal.
Kyle Hayden made 25 saves for the Marauders. Trever Osborne made 27 stops for the Lions.
The Marauders, now 16-2-0-1 on the season, close out the Lindenwood Showcase against Davenport at 9:52 am on Sunday, Nov. 21. The game is a rematch from the opening round of the ACHA national tournament last spring, a 6-0 UMary victory that started the Marauders run to a national championship.
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