MANDAN, ND – A journey that began with a packed arena on a September Saturday in 2018 took just three short years to accomplish the ultimate goal for the University of Mary. Playing in front of another sold-out crowd, the Marauders skated past Iowa State University 2-0 to win the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 National Championship.
Ineligible to compete in the national tournament in 2019 and unable to compete in 2020 as the top seed from the West region due to the pandemic, the Marauders dominated the competition in their first national appearance. The top seed and the host team for the tournament, the Marauders posted three shutouts in five games and outscored the opposition 18-2.
Tournament Most Valuable Player
Kyle Hayden put up a brick wall in front of the Marauders net. He allowed one goal in four starts, including the title game win. Playing with a 1-goal cushion for the second half of the game, the second team All-American stopped all 23 shots he faced from the Cyclones in the championship game, including seven in the third period.
After a scoreless opening period, the Marauders finally took the lead midway through the second period. Left alone inside the left circle,
Marshall Tschida rifled a pass through the slot to the right side of the goal onto the tape of Eskro. The freshman from Fridley, MN, didn't hesitate, knocking home the pass into the right side of a wide open net at 12:24 for a 1-0 Marauders lead.
Hayden and Cyclones goaltender Devin Naidow continued to dominate the contest as they worked with both defenses to eliminate quality scoring opportunities.
Finally forced to pull Naidow with 2:07 left to play, the Cyclones attempted to pressure the Marauders net but were unable to break through. Tschida soon sealed the contest, firing the puck the length of the ice into an empty net with nine seconds left in the clock to set off a wild celebration.
Tschida finished the game with a goal and an assist.
Derek Dropik had the only other assist in the game, providing the second helper on the Eskro goal.
The Marauders finished with a 30-23 edge in shots.
In a game that featured just five penalties, neither team could find a way to score with the specialty units. The Marauders were 0-for-3 on the power play while the Cyclones finished 0-for-2.
UMary finished with a record of 5-1-1 against Iowa State, one of only two ACHA M2 teams to beat the Marauders this season.
Overall the Marauders wrap up their championship season with a record of 38-4-1-6 (W-L-OTL-T) overall, including a mark of 19-1-0-2 at home at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink.
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