GREAT FALLS, MT – Competing for the first time in four weeks, the nation's top-ranked University of Mary squad started fast and finished strong in a 5-0 win at the University of Providence. Alex Flicek led the Marauders with a pair of power play goals as UMary scored twice in the first period before exploding for three more goals in the second.
 
The Marauders, ranked first in the latest American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 poll and the defending national champions, improved to 21-4-1-2 on the season. The Argos, ranked third in the ACHA M2 West region, are 5-4-0-0.
 
UMary swept the two-game season series with Providence, beating UP 6-1 in the only prior meeting between the two teams in a contest which was also played on the Argos ice.
 
Ted Lillico gave the Marauders an early lead with a goal at 7:36 of the first period. Picking up the puck in the left circle, he lofted a shot up and over the right shoulder of Argos netminder Jacob Fry for his second goal of the season.
 
Johnny Witzke doubled the Marauders lead less than three minutes later when he knocked home a loose puck in front of the Argos net at the 10:01 mark. Behind a 17-2 edge in shots, UMary entered the first intermission with a 2-0 advantage.
 
The goals kept coming in the second period as UMary ripped off 29 shots to just seven for Providence. Andrew Heckaman opened the scoring when he found the back of the net at 5:12 to build the Marauders advantage to 3-0.
 
Flicek then stole the show for UMary. Taking advantage of a run of penalties by the Argos, Flicek flicked a shot into the top right corner of the net from the left circle at 7:39 for the first of two straight power play goals. He closed the game's scoring at 12:35 with his team-leading 16^th goal of the season. UMary's career goals leader now owns a team-best six power play goals this year.
 
The Marauders finished the game converting two power play goals in five opportunities as the Argos were charged with seven penalties for 14 minutes. The Marauders were whistled for only two minor penalties for four minutes. The Argos had no power play opportunities as both UMary penalties were taken the same time as Providence committed infractions.
 
Kyle Hayden was perfect in net for the Marauders. The All-American turned aside all 18 shots he faced to post his fourth shutout of the season. Fry stopped 23 of 27 shots while playing the first 28:39. Tristan Lewis stopped 28 of the 29 shots he faced in the game as the two Argos goalkeepers combined to stop 51 of the Marauders 56 shots.
 
Witzke and Heckaman both totaled a goal and an assist. Jaren Hugelen added assists on both of Flicek's goals. Braeden Zaste, Derek Dropik, Zach Garrett, Garrett Freeman, Marshall Tschida and Seth Cushing all had assists.
 
The Marauders close out a weekend trip to the Big Sky state when UMary visits Montana State University on Saturday, Jan. 8. Game time is 8:30 pm CST from the Ressler Ice Rink in Bozeman, MT. The Marauders defeated the Bobcats 8-1 earlier this season on MSU's home ice.
 
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