No. 3 Marian University ACHA D2 (26-2-1, 13-1-0 NCHL) defeated No. 14 CUW 4-3 in overtime to claim their third Hap Cup championship in the past four years.

The Sabres opened the tournament with a match-up against No. 20 Marquette after sweeping the Golden Eagles the weekend prior.  Neither squad found the back of the net in the opening period before Marquette scored the first goal of the game 3:54 into the second.  Tyren Boots made sure that lead didn’t last long as he would find the back of the net just 1:17 later.  Bryton Tomko then scored with just 52 seconds remaining in the period for what proved to be the game-winner.

Marian was able to score first in the Hap Cup championship when Jarod Lang lit the lamp with an assist from Tomko and Boots just 3:35 into the game.  This proved to be the only goal for the period.  The Falcons responded with a pair of goals in the first 7:43 of the second period to take their first lead of the game.

The Sabres were able to bounce back with Zach Wilson tipping in a shot from Connor Martin on the power play to tie the game at the 10:20 mark, Connor Rosaasen also earned an assist.  Marian was then able to retake the lead with only 1:29 left to play in the second when Alex Lindeman tipped in a shot from Colby Sherlock.  This gave Marian a 3-2 lead heading into the final period.

The Marian lead held up for most of the final period before the Falcons were able to tie the game with just 2:26 left in regulation to force overtime.  Marian dominated the extra period outshooting CUW 14-1.  Tomko was able to secure the Hap Cup championship 10:13 into overtime when he went top shelf past the glove of the CUW goalie from the left circle.  Boots earned an assist on the game-winner.

Marian travels to the ACHA regional tournament for a 4 p.m. puck drop Saturday, Feb. 29.  Their opponent will be determined based on results from the prior night.

–FightBlueFight—