Marian University men’s hockey (12-4-1, 8-4-0 NCHA) scored four goals in the third period to defeat MSOE 7-4 and complete an NCHA sweep.
Marian was able to once again get out to a fast start when senior Davis Ross scored his second of the season at the 8:18 mark of the first period with assists to fellow seniors Nolan Ross and Lawson MacDonald. Sophomore Blaine Caton then scored at the 12:52 mark on the power play with an assist to senior Clay Cross to give Marian a 2-0 advantage after one period.
MSOE responded in the first half of the second period with a pair of goals, one on the power play to even the score. Caton then netted his second of the game, once again on the power play, at the 11:51 mark with assists to Cross and Ross, D. to put Marian ahead 3-2 heading to the third.
Just 2:50 into the final period, the Raiders were able to tie the game back up at 3-3. Caton completed his first career hat trick to put Marian ahead once again with his third power-play tally at the 12:04 mark. Senior Conner Blanck and Ross, D. each earned an assist.
Senior Brett Radford then scored the eventual game-winner, his seventh of the season, with an assist to sophomore Parker Colley just 1:07 later to put Marian up 5-3. The goal gives Radford five scores in the last six games.
MSOE wouldn’t go away quietly scoring a power-play goal with an extra attacker with just 1:41 left to cut the Marian lead back down to one. Sophomore Gianni Vitali and Blanck then iced the game with a pair of empty-net goals to set the final at 7-4. Cross and Caton each assisted the Blanck empty-netter.
Marian led 25-17 in shots after two periods and finished the game with a 34-32 edge. Senior Hunter Vorva (9-3-1) earned the victory with 28 saves with 13 of his stops coming in the third period.
The Sabre power play had a dominant game scoring four times on five opportunities.
Marian travels to Trine for a road NCHA series opening Friday, Jan. 24 for a 6 p.m. (CST) puck drop.
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