MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO – Seth Cushing lit the lamp three times and Kyle Hayden backstopped another shutout as reigning national champion University of Mary opened its title defense with an overwhelming 8-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin in the first game of pool play at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 national tournament.
 
The victory is the Marauders 150^th in program history, a total reached in just four years. UMary improved to 34-4-1-2 (W-L-OTL-T) overall this season. Against ACHA M2 teams the Marauders are 32-2-0-2 this season without a loss to an M2 team since October 15, 2021.
 
Cushing opened the scoring at the halfway point of the first period. Taking a feed from Alex Flicek below the dot in the left circle, the Red Wing, MN, native fired home a shot just below the crossbar for a quick 1-0 lead.
 
Just 2:10 later Cushing doubled the Marauders lead. Taking control of a clearing attempt by the Badgers, Cushing unleashed a shot from atop the slot for the 100^th goal of his UMary career.
 
The Marauders continued to press and added a third goal at 16:55 of the 1^st period. Taking advantage of a delayed penalty on the Badgers, Marshall Tschida picked the puck up in the far corner and skated behind the net to the top of the left circle when he spotted Jaren Hugelen left alone at the bottom of the circle. Without hesitation the Dickinson, ND, product rifled a shot top shelf off the water bottle to send the Marauders intro intermission with a 3-0 lead.
 
UMary added to its lead when Derek Dropik beat a Badgers defender to a loose puck off a draw at center ice and jammed home the puck for the lone goal of the second period for a 4-0 lead.
 
A four-goal 3^rd period outburst for the Marauders sealed the win. Garrett Freeman, Zach Garrett, Cushing and Tanner Esko all found the net for UMary as the Marauders pulled away for the victory.
 
Hayden stopped 21 shots in the win. The most valuable player at the 2021 national championships, Hayden has posted four shutouts in five national tournament games, including three straight.
 
UMary held a 30-21 edge in shots. Both teams were whistled for three penalties.
 
Over the course of six national tournament games in two seasons, the Marauders have outscored the opposition 31-2.
 
In addition to three goals, Cushing also had an assist for four points. Riley Scanlon and Tschida both had three assists. Eskro and Garrett both had an assist and a goal.
 
The #1 seed in Pool D, the Marauders next face #3 seed University of Indiana at 5:15 pm on Tuesday, March 15, at the Centene Community Ice Center. Pool play wraps up Wednesday, March 16, when UMary faces #2 seed Northeastern University.
 
Northeastern defeated Indiana 7-5 in the other Pool B action on Monday.
 
#4 University of Wisconsin 0 at #1 University of Mary 8 - Status: Final
Monday, March 14, 2022 - NHL Arena-CICC
 
#4 University of Wisconsin 0 0 0 - 0
#1 University of Mary 3 1 4 - 8
 
1st Period-1, #1 University of Mary, Cushing 1 (Flicek), 10:00. 2, #1 University of Mary, Cushing 2   12:10. 3, #1 University of Mary, Hugelen 1 (Tschida, Scanlon), 16:55. Penalties-Valentini Uwisc (holding), 5:31; Freeman Umary (tripping), 12:34; Lenny Uwisc (tripping), 16:55.
 
2nd Period-4, #1 University of Mary, Dropik 1 (Scanlon), 5:48. Penalties-Heckaman Umary (tripping), 1:59; Gachman Uwisc (tripping), 2:50; Hanson Umary (goalie interference), 14:52.
 
3rd Period-5, #1 University of Mary, Freeman 1 (Tschida, Cushing), 7:24. 6, #1 University of Mary, Garrett 1 (Nagurski, Eskro), 9:29. 7, #1 University of Mary, Cushing 3 (Tschida), 10:31. 8, #1 University of Mary, Eskro 1 (Garrett, Scanlon), 16:48. Penalties-No Penalties
 
Shots on Goal-#4 University of Wisconsin 6-9-6-21. #1 University of Mary 10-7-13-30.
Power Play Opportunities-#4 University of Wisconsin 0 / 0; #1 University of Mary 0 / 0.
Goalies-#4 University of Wisconsin, Goss (30 shots-22 saves). #1 University of Mary, Hayden (21 shots-21 saves).
 
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