No. 3 Marian University ACHA D2 hockey (20-2-1, 9-1-0 NCHL) closed out non-conference action with a sweep of No. 15 Adrian defeating the Bulldogs 4-3 and 2-0.
The opener of the series started slow with Marian scoring the lone goal of the first period when Connor Rosaasen lit the lamp with an assist to Evan Erdman. The second period looked to go scoreless until the two squads combined for three goals in the final 1:21 of the period. Connor Martin opened the scoring spree with assists to Lucas Brown and Bryton Tomko before Adrian scored their first goal of the game with 56 seconds left. Tomko then pushed the Marian lead back to two heading into the third period when he scored with just seven seconds remaining, assists to Tyren Boots and Rosaasen.
Adrian came out strong to open the third period scoring just 21 seconds in to cut their deficit down to 3-2. Tomko provided Marian some much-needed cushion at the 9:16 mark with his second goal of the game, assists to Boots and Jarod Lang. The Bulldogs were able to score a short-handed goal shortly after but were unable to score an equalizer and tie the game.
The Sabres held a 37-27 advantage in shots for the game with William McCreight earning the win in goal with 24 saves.
Marian once again had a strong start in game two of the series with Erdman opening the scoring at the 10:54 mark of the first period, assists to Boots and Rosaasen. Martin then lit the lamp at the 8:59 mark of the second period, assists to Tomko and Rosaasen, for what proved to be the final goal of the series.
The Sabres once again led in shots by a 34-33 margin. Justin Davidson posted his first shutout of the season stopping all 33 shots he faced.
Marian returns to NCHL action hosting Lewis for a two-game series February 1-2.
–FightBlueFight—
