EDMOND, OK – Striking for a trio of goals in the final five minutes of play, #19 University of Mary rallied past #3 University of Central Oklahoma for a 4-2 win. Andy Huber tied the game before
Seth Cushing tallied twice to give the Marauders an early signature win in UMary's first season competing in American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 1.
A two-time ACHA MD2 national champion, the #3 Bronchos are the highest-ranked team the Marauders have beaten since joining the ACHA MD1 ranks this season. Last year the Marauders had beaten ACHA MD1 #1 Minot State University as UMary was still competing at ACHA MD2.
The win improves the Marauders to 6-2-0-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOW-SOL) this season. UMary has won the Saturday game in all four two-game series this season. This is the first loss of the season for the Bronchos after opening with nine straight wins.
After a scoreless opening period, UMary opened the scoring on Saturday when
Cyril Nagurski lit the lamp on a rocket from the left dot less than three minutes into the middle stanza. His sixth goal of the season came off assists from
Nick Bradshaw and
Michael Heitkamp.
The Bronchos scored a pair of goals 22 seconds apart to take a 2-1 lead with just over six minutes left in the second period. The second goal came on a power play off a penalty called on UMary as Central Oklahoma scored its first goal.
With the third period starting to resemble the first, the Marauders pulled even on Huber's goal at 15:27. Chasing the puck into the right corner,
Derek Dropik centered a perfect pass that Huber slammed home for the equalizer.
Just 38 seconds later while skating four aside after coincidental minor penalties, Cushing rocketed a shot into the top left corner of the net from inside the left circle. A slick feed from the slot by
Isaiah Thomas set up the game-winner.
Cushing sealed the win with an empty net goal with 33 seconds remaining in the game with Thomas and
Tanner Eskro proving the helpers.
Conan Hayton had another strong game in net, making 29 saves. In a dominant third period on both ends of the ice, Hayton faced just four shots while the Marauders fired off eight of their own. Austin Madge had 17 saves for the Bronchos.
UMary finished 0-for-6 on the power play. UCO was 1-for-5.
The Marauders return home to face #1 Minot State University for a midweek game on Wednesday, November 1. Game time is 7 pm at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink in Mandan, ND.
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