MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO – The meeting between the two top-ranked teams in the nation impressively lived up to any and all hype that precedes a meeting with this pedigree. Taking advantage of a first period goal by Cyril Nagurski and another impressive effort in net by Kyle Hayden, #1 University of Mary edged #2 Lindenwood University 1-0 to open the weekend series between the visiting Marauders and the Lions.   
 
The victory is the third straight win this season by the two-time defending national champion Marauders over the Lions as UMary swept a pair of home games from Lindenwood in October. UMary is undefeated all-time in seven games against Lindenwood, winning six with one tie.
 
Ranked first in American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2, the Marauders improve to 34-5-1-1 (W-L-OTL-T) on the season overall and 25-3-0-1 against fellow ACHA M2 teams. The Lions fall to 25-6 with their first loss at home this season.
  
Behind the force of a tremendous effort on the forecheck, the Marauders opened the scoring with 3:22 left in the first period. Following a handful of shots by UMary and Lindenwood unable to clear the puck from its defensive zone, Cyril Nagurski fired a shot from outside the left circle that was blocked by a Lions defenseman. Picking up the puck inside the left circle, Nagurski maneuvered to the top of the slot before spinning 180 degrees to his forehand and unleashing a shot into the net past lions goalkeeper Ethan Paulin-Hatch for a 1-0 UMary lead.
 
The rest of the night belonged to Hayden and the Marauders defense. After facing just six shots in the opening period, Hayden became more and more busy as the night progressed. The reigning ACHA M2 Player of the Year turned aside 10 shots in the second and 14 in the third for a total of 30 saves in the game. He saw at least three shots in the closing minute of play but refused to let the puck cross the goal line to earn his 12^th shutout of the season the Marauders 14th overall to extend both team single-season records.
 
Paulin-Hatch turned aside 33 of the 34 shots he faced in the game, including 15 in the second period as the Marauders pressed hard to expand their lead.
 
With only three penalties whistled in the game, power play opportunities were rare. UMary was 0-for-2 with the man advantage and Lindenwood failed to convert its one opportunity.
 
The Marauders go for the weekend sweep of the Lions when the two teams meet on Sunday, February 13. Face off is slated for 2 pm at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, MO.
 
M2 University of Mary 1 at M2 Lindenwood University 0 - Status: Final
Saturday, February 11, 2023 - Centene Community Ice Center (MO)
 
M2 University of Mary 1 0 0 - 1
M2 Lindenwood University 0 0 0 - 0
 
1st Period-1, M2 University of Mary, Nagurski 5 (Flicek), 16:38. Penalties-Thomas Umary (slashing), 10:38.
 
2nd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Becker Linm2 (cross checking), 3:13; Mullen Linm2 (high sticking), 18:57.
 
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties
 
Shots on Goal-M2 University of Mary 12-15-7-34. M2 Lindenwood University 6-10-14-30.
Power Play Opportunities-M2 University of Mary 0 / 2; M2 Lindenwood University 0 / 1.
Goalies-M2 University of Mary, Hayden 23-2-0-0 (30 shots-30 saves). M2 Lindenwood University, Paulin-Hatch 9-4-0-0 (34 shots-33 saves).
 
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