ADRIAN, Mich. – Marian University NCAA men’s hockey (2-1-0, 1-0-0-0 NCHA) defeated No. 1 Adrian 5-2 on the road to open NCHA play.
The Sabres were able to get out to a fast start on the Bulldogs with junior Ty Mosimann scoring at the 7:51 mark with an assist to sophomore Jaymes Knee before sophomore Nick Cherkowski found the back of the net with 4:59 left in the period to put the Sabres ahead 2-0. Sophomore Jordan Simoneau and senior Jack Sampson each earned an assist on the Cherkowski goal. This was all the scoring for the opening period as Marian went into the first break with a lead.
Marian extended its lead to 3-0 with a goal from Knee, assist to senior Brady Pupp at the 9:58 mark of the second period. Adrian responded with its first goal of the game just 20 seconds later, but the Sabres were able to build the lead back out to three. Simoneau was the goal scorer for Marian with just 3:30 left to go in the period as the Sabres took a 4-1 lead into the final period. Marian was able to outshoot Adrian 14-9 in the second period.
Adrian netted a 5-on-3 power-play goal to open the third period, but the Sabre penalty kill would manage to kill off another 5-on-3 opportunity shortly after. An empty-net goal with just 1:25 left to play from Sampson then sealed the upset, assists to Cherkowski and senior Blake Kleiner.
The Sabres were outshot 45-27 in the victory with the Marian penalty-kill unit holding Adrian to just one goal on eight power-play chances. Senior Colby Muise (2-0-0) finished with 43 saves to earn the win in goal and made 20 saves in the final period.
The win is the first known victory in Marian history over the No. 1 team in the nation and snaps a 35-game unbeaten streak for Adrian.
Marian concludes the series at Adrian tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 12, for a 3 p.m. (CST) puck drop.
