APPLETON, Wis. – Marian University men’s hockey (16-6-1, 12-6-0 NCHA) defeated Lawrence 5-2 to retain possession of the Battle of Highway 41.
The Sabres outshot Lawrence 14-5 in the opening period but the Vikings found the only score of the frame to head into the opening intermission ahead 1-0. Lawrence then took a two-goal lead at the 9:00 mark of the second period.
This lead didn’t last long as senior Chris Deprez lit the lamp with an extra attacker on the ice for a delayed penalty for his second goal of the season. Seniors Brock Weston and Davis Ross each earned an assist on the goal. On the ensuing power play, sophomore Parker Colley was able to bang home a loose puck at the 10:11 mark to tie the game. The goal was his seventh of the season and sophomore Gianni Vitali and senior Brett Radford each earned an assist. Radford closed out the period with his eighth goal of the season to give Marian the lead heading into the third period. Deprez assisted the goal.
Sophomore Ty Enns continued his strong scoring spree with his 10th goal of the year at the 4:10 mark, assist to Vitali, to give Marian a two-goal cushion. Senior Clay Cross closed out the game with an empty-net goal with just six seconds remaining, his fourth of the season, to set the final at 5-2.
Marian finished with a 61-19 advantage in shots sending 24 shots on goal in the second and another 23 in the third. The Sabre defense held Lawrence to only nine shots through the first two periods. Senior Hunter Vorva (13-4-1) made 17 saves on the night stopping all 10 shots he saw in the final period.
On special teams, the Marian power play converted on one of their three opportunities, while the penalty kill held Lawrence scoreless on three chances, including three minutes of a major.
The win also marked the 50th victory for head coach Zach Gaynor at the helm of the Marian men’s hockey program.
Marian opens the final regular-season series of the season at Finlandia Friday, Feb. 14 at 6:15 p.m. (CST).
–FightBlueFight—
