KANKAKEE, Ill. – Marian University ACHA D3 (7-7-1) led after two periods in both games but fell to Illinois State 4-3 and 7-5 to open the second half of the season.
In the opener, Serge Simard would light to lamp to open the scoring for the lone goal in the first period, assist to Brendan Keeler. Alex Lindeman then gave the Sabres a 2-0 advantage to open the second period, assists to Connor Bending and Brendan Zier, before Illinois State scored twice to tie the game at 2-2. Eric Sessoms would score in the final seconds of the period, however, to put Marian ahead 3-2 heading into the final period. Illinois State would strike twice in the final period, with the second score coming on the power play, to earn the comeback victory. Sam Gasienica-Byrcyn made 35 saves in goal for the Sabres.
The second game was similar as Cole Hales-Main scored a pair of goals in the opening period, his first being a power-play tally, as Marian led 2-0 after one. After an Illinois State goal just 1:13 into the period, Hales-Main found the back of the net a third time just 41 seconds later to put the Sabres ahead 3-1. After another pair of quick goals to tie the game from Illinois State, Hales-Main lit the lamp for goal number four at the 12:00 mark to put Marian ahead 4-3 aftet two. Jonathan Bruno and Keeler each assisted what would be the final goal from Hales-Main.
Illinois State would strike twice to take their first lead of the game to open the third period. Ethan Koskelainen then lit the lamp on the power play with just 2:12 left, assists to Lindeman and Hales-Main, to tie the game at 5-5. This tie didn’t last long as the Red Birds scored just seven seconds later to take the lead for good. Amanda Sincere made 35 saves between the pipes for the Sabres.
Marian will next travel to MSOE Sunday, January 23 for a 1 p.m. puck drop.
