Marian scores late, slips past Men's Hockey in NCHA tilt

FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Derek Thorogood of Marian University scored with 1:02 remaining in regulation, giving his Sabres a 4-3 win over Concordia University Wisconsin Friday night. Marian handed the Falcons their seventh straight loss, this time a one-goal setback in NCHA play.

It has been a tough stretch for the Falcons, who had faced four straight ranked teams before taking on Marian Friday evening. CUW was tied with top-ranked St. Norbert two weeks ago with three minutes to play before the Green Knights struck late in that game, just as Marian did this evening.

Thorogood's score was the only Sabres tally of the final stanza and was assisted by Scott Milnthorp, who had two helpers Friday. The Falcons trailed 3-2 entering the third before freshman Braden Crone (Metiskow, Alberta) scored 12:28 into the period, tying the game at 3-3. It was an all-freshmen goal that tied the game with Brody Decker (Dousman, Wis.) and Anthony Pickering (Sylvan Lake, Alberta) assisting on the score.

The Sabres put 18 shots on goaltender Jake Hebda (Firestone, Colo.) during the third period, but Hebda was outstanding in stopping 17 of those. Unfortunately, one of the final one snuck through, allowing the Sabres to gain the win. Hebda finished the game with 32 saves, while Mike Gudmandson had 34 for the Sabres.

Marian (8-11-1, 4-8-1 NCHA) came out rolling with two goals in the opening 5:11. Ben Morgan put the Sabres up 1-0 2:02 into play on a goal assisted by Mark Whiteley. Hunter Stewater then gave Marian a 2-0 advantage 3:09 later, his goal aided by Brian Berger and Milnthorp.

Falcons captain Buster Hebda (Firestone, Colo.) would make the score 2-1 before the period ended, scoring with 6:40 remaining in the opening stanza. Hebda's first goal of the season was unassisted.

CUW would tie the game at two just 44 seconds into the second stanza when Devin Stuermer (Milwaukee, Wis.) netted his team-leading 10th goal of the year. Sophomore Tanner Bull (Edmonton, Alberta) assisted on the Stuermer score. The game would remain tied until Tanner Pagendam of Marian netted a goal at the 9:41 mark of the second, assisted by Thorogood.

The two teams combined for 48 penalty minutes Friday, but 30 of those minutes came when each team had a player ejected late in the second period. The Falcons finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play, while Marian was 0-for-2 with the extra skater.

These two teams will get together again tomorrow night, this time with CUW being the home team. Action is set to get underway at 7 p.m. at the Ozaukee Ice Center.