BISMARCK, ND – The second round of pool play at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 National Tournament featured a very familiar foe for the University of Mary. For the eighth time this season, the Marauders faced off against the University of Providence in a meeting between two teams that have no secrets between one another. And while the Argos won the last time out in the regular season finale, tonight the Marauders proved that while they could be slowed they couldn't be denied, rallying for a 3-1 win.
The victory keeps the Marauders undefeated after two games. UMary next faces the North Carolina State University Icepack – also undefeated – in the third and final game in pool play. Game time is 7 pm at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink on Saturday, April 17.
The winner advances to the ACHA M2 semifinals, scheduled for Monday, April 19, at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink.
After a scoreless opening period, the Argos struck first when Cody Hendrickson pounced on a loose puck in front of the Marauders net at the 9:15 mark.
With time winding down in the middle stanza, the Marauders brought the home crowd to their feet with an electric goal. Taking a headman pass at full speed from
Alex Flicek just inside the blue line, ACHA M2 Player of the Year
Zach Garrett flew through the left circle before cutting across the face of the goal. With an Argos defender closing in, Garrett held the puck to the right of the crease before sliding the puck home at 17:22 to knot the game at 1-1.
The third period belonged to the Marauders. After
Kyler Moore had his blast turned away by Argos goalie Tristan Lewis,
Seth Cushing knocked home the rebound to give the Marauders their first lead of the game at 8:35.
UMary then turned the game over to
Conan Hayton. The first year UMary goalie was perfect in the third, stopping all 10 shots he faced to maintain the Marauders lead before an empty net goal by
Jaren Hugelen with two seconds remaining sealed the win.
Cushing finished the game with a goal and an assist.
Kyler Moore added two assists for the Marauders.
Hayton finished the game with 26 saves. Lewis stopped 32 shots for the Argos.
The Marauders, the top-seeded team in the tournament, improves to 35-4-6-1 (W-L-T-OTL) on the season. UMary opened the tournament with a 6-0 win over Davenport.
North Carolina State opened the tournament with a 6-4 win over the Argos before defeating Davenport
5-3 on day two.
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