MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO – In a battle between two powerhouses in American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2, Johnny Witzke scored a power play goal with 15.7 seconds left in overtime to rally #1 University of Mary past 3^rd ranked and homestanding Lindenwood University 4-3.   
 
Forced overcome a deficit after Lindenwood scored three straight goals to start the third period, the Marauders took advantage of a Lions 5-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct penalty in overtime when Seth Cushing was knocked into the boards with 51 seconds left in the game.  
 
Taking their time with the man advantage and Witzke running the power play unit at the right point, the Bismarck, ND, native took a return pass from Alex Flicek atop the circle and skated into the slot unhindered. Left alone, the Marauders defenseman blistered home the game-winning goal with just 15.7 seconds remaining.
 
The first of two meetings this weekend between the Marauders and the Lions, UMary and Lindenwood next face off against each other at 10:02 am on Sunday, March 7. In between, both UMary and Lindenwood take on 2^nd ranked Liberty University. The Marauders and the Flames play at Friday, March 5, at 3:42 pm in a neutral site game before Lindenwood hosts Liberty on Saturday. The Marauders are 2-0-1-0 against the Flames this season.
 
The Marauders jumped out to an early lead, posting a pair of goals in the first period.
 
Taking advantage of a turnover in the Lions defensive zone, the Marauders fired a handful of close shots at the Lindenwood goal. Flicek made UMary's hard work pay off. Played off the stick of a defender, the All-American picked up a loose puck at the left dot and whistled a shot stick side just under the cross bar to give the Marauders a 1-0 lead at the 9:35 of the opening period.
 
As the Marauders continued to buzz the Lions net, Kyler Moore centered a pass from behind the net to Seth Cushing. Just outside the crease, Cushing's first attempt was stoned but not cleared by Lions goalkeeper Michael Errico. UMary's leading scorer, Cushing immediately pounced on the rebound and knocked home his 28^th goal of the season, doubling the Marauders lead to 2-0 with 5:10 showing on the clock. The goal is Cushing's 100^th career point with the Marauders.
 
Following a scoreless second period, Alex Klaesner picked up a loose puck off a scramble in front of the Marauders net and scooped home a backhanded shot just underneath the crossbar at 5:37 of the third period to close the Lions within 2-1.  
 
The Lions tied the game 2-2 on a one-timer by Michael Schrader from the right circle at 7:36.  
 
Just over two minutes later the Lions claimed their first lead of the day when Joseph Bresingham fired a shot from the top of the left circle.
 
Now in a free-wheeling free-for-all, Zach Garrett pulled the Marauders even with 9:02 left in the game. The UMary team captain capped an end-to-end rush for the Marauders. Following a Conan Hayton save, Flicek raced down the left boards before playing the puck back to Garrett atop the left circle. Garrett skated down the slot into the right circle and lasered a shot high glove side to knot the game at 3-3.
 
Forced to kill off a 5-on-3 power play for the Lions moments after the Garrett goal, the Marauders nearly turned the two-man disadvantage into a goal when Cushing just missed scoring on a breakaway at 7:36.
 
Witzke, Garrett and Flicek all finished with a goal and an assist in the Marauders win.
 
UMary improves to 28-2-4-1 (W-L-T-OTL) this season overall, including a mark of 25-1-3-0 against teams ranked in the current ACHA M2 poll. Lindenwood is 9-4-1 on the season after the Lions first home loss of the season.
 
FINAL #1 University of Mary 4 #3 Lindenwood University 3 (overtime)
March 4, 2021
Maryland Heights, MO
 
First Period
1. UMary Alex Flicek (Andrew Huber, Marshall Tschida), 9:35. 2. UMary Seth Cushing (Johnny Witzke, Kyler Moore). 14:50.
 
Second Period
No scoring
 
Third Period
3. LU, Alex Klaesner (Braxton Walby, Robert Bross), 5:37. 4. LU, Michael Schrader (Shayne Plummer, Cameron Seto), 7:31. 5. LU, Joseph Bresingham (Dylan Miller, Joshua Linn), 9:52. 6. UMary, Zach Garrett (Drew Lenertz, Conan Hayton), 10:58.
 
Overtime
7. UMary, Witzke (Flicek, Garrett), PPG, 19:44.
 
Shots: UMary 8-11-17-3 39. LU 17-8-12-3 40
Penalties: UMary 4-for-8 minutes, LU 2-for-7 minutes.
Power Plays: UMary 1-for-2. LU 0-for-4.
Saves: UMary Conan Hayton (40 shots – 37 saves). LU Michael Errico (39 shots – 35 saves).
 
 
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