CHESTERFIELD, MO – A second-period eruption ignited by
Seth Cushing and
Isaiah Thomas propelled the University of Mary past the University of Maryville 4-1. Cushing scored twice and Thomas had two assists in a 3-goal second period in the first meeting ever between the Marauders, ranked #1 in American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2, and the Saints, ranked #10 in ACHA M1.
The Marauders improve to 33-5-1-1 (W-L-OTL-T) overall and 9-2-1 when facing ACHA M1 opposition. The Saints are 17-10. UMary will move up a division and join Maryville in competing in ACHA M1 next season.
Taking advantage of a miscue by the Saints, the Marauders opened the scoring midway through the first period.
Alex Flicek forced a Maryville defender to cough up the puck in the Saints defensive zone with the loose puck landing right at Thomas' skates in the slot. Without hesitation the Marauders leading goal scorer ripped a shot into the Saints net for a 1-0 UMary lead.
Another lost puck by the Saints led to the Marauders second goal of the night. With Maryville unable to keep possession in the UMary defensive zone,
Garrett Freeman picked up the wayward puck and jetted down the right boards for a 2-on-1 breakaway with Cushing. Taking a centering pass from Freeman in the left circle that at first seemed lost in his skates, Cushing recovered and zipped a shot top shelf at 7:18 for a 2-0 lead.
Just under three minutes later at 10:15, Thomas delivered a perfect pass from the right circle to Flicek cutting to the left side of the crease for an easy tap-in by the Marauders all-time leading scorer.
Johnny Witzke also earned an assist as the UMary advantage grew to 3-0.
The Marauders sealed the game with another spectacular goal. Carrying the puck into the Marauders offensive zone,
Caleb Petrie fired the puck from the left circle to Thomas in the right circle. Just before skating to the bottom of the circle, Thomas found Cushing parked all alone in front of the net and delivered a perfect pass for Cushing to bury in the net with 4:55 left before the second intermission.
The Saints tallied once in the third period but never were able to challenge the visiting Marauders.
Kyle Hayden was again strong in net. The reigning national player of the year made 28 saves in the game. Ed Coffey (16 saves) and Johnny Masana (5) combined for 21 saves for the Saints.
Thomas finished with a goal and two assists. Cushing had two goals and Flicek registered a goal and an assist.
Neither team had success on the power play as the Marauders were 0-for-3 with a man advantage and the Saints failed to score in two opportunities.
The Marauders next visit #2 Lindenwood University for a 2-game set on Saturday and Sunday, February 11-12.
M2 University of Mary 4 at M1 Maryville University 1 - Status: Final
Thursday, February 9, 2023 - Maryville University Hockey Center
M2 University of Mary 1 3 0 - 4
M1 Maryville University 0 0 1 - 1
1st Period-1, M2 University of Mary, Thomas 19 (Flicek), 9:10. Penalties-Moore M1mry (hooking), 19:19.
2nd Period-2, M2 University of Mary, Cushing 18 (Freeman, Eskro), 7:18. 3, M2 University of Mary, Flicek 11 (Thomas, Witzke), 10:15. 4, M2 University of Mary, Cushing 19 (Petrie, Thomas), 15:05. Penalties-No Penalties
3rd Period-5, M1 Maryville University, Cardinale 1 (Prexler, Prexler), 15:25. Penalties-Schirmer M1mry (major-contact/hit to the head w/game misconduct), 2:24; Thomas Umary (unsportsmanlike conduct/player to player minor), 8:45; Cardinale M1mry (roughing), 8:45; Eskro Umary (hooking), 9:55; Turcotte M1mry (slashing), 16:37; Hugelen Umary (interference), 19:05.
Shots on Goal-M2 University of Mary 12-8-5-25. M1 Maryville University 11-9-9-29.
Power Play Opportunities-M2 University of Mary 0 / 3; M1 Maryville University 0 / 2.
Goalies-M2 University of Mary, Hayden 22-2-0-0 (29 shots-28 saves). M1 Maryville University, Coffey 10-5-0-0 (20 shots-16 saves); Massara 7-5-0-0 (5 shots-5 saves).
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