Marian University men’s hockey (4-3-1, 1-2-1-0 NCHA) opened a non-conference series against St. Olaf with a 5-3 win.
The Oles were able to strike first just 3:10 into the game before freshman Nick Cherkowski found the back of the net with a tip in front from senior Nathan Walker. The goal came at 8:32 of the period and sent the game into a 1-1 tie at the intermission.
The second period followed the same script as the Oles were first to find the back of the net. Then with just 2:33 left in the period, junior Jack Sampson tipped in a shot from fellow junior Blake Kleiner to tie the game. Walker was also able to earn his second assist of the game on the goal.
Marian then scored three unanswered goals to open the third period and pull away. Freshman Alex Rondeau opened the scoring at the 7:31 mark with assists to junior Nick Lund and senior Blaine Caton. Another freshman found the back of the net just 1:54 later on the power play in Jordan Simoneau. Rondeau and Kleiner each earned an assist on the play. Senior Parker Colley then closed out the Marian scoring with a power-play tally with just 5:26 left to play. St. Olaf found the back of the net once more on the power play to set the final at 5-3.
Marian outshot the Oles in the final two periods to finish with a 33-31 edge. Cherkowski led the way for Marian with a team-high five shots on goal. Sophomore Aaron Brunn (1-0-0) earned his first victory of the season making 28 saves.
Marian closes out the series with the Oles tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 28, for a 2:30 p.m. puck drop.
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