APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University hockey team got a pair of third-period goals and downed Marian University 3-1 in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association game on Friday night at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
It was the opener in the annual Battle of Highway 41 series, which the Sabres won last season. Lawrence (1-2-0, 1-2-0 NCHA) needs a win or tie on Saturday night to take back the traveling trophy.
The game was tied 1-1 heading to the third period when Paul Zuke took a pass from Patrick Coyne and beat Marian goaltender Josh Baker at the 5:26 mark.
The Vikings still held the 2-1 advantage late in the game when Marian pulled Baker with 1:21 remaining. The Sabres put on some pressure before William Thoren grabbed the puck for Lawrence. His pass off the boards found Erik Soderlund, who fed Rudi Pino for an empty-net goal with 35 seconds left to seal the win.
Marian (0-4-0, 0-3-0) led 1-0 on Ben Morgan’s goal at the 5:40 mark of the first period. Lawrence tied it at 1-1 when Huck Saunders scored on the power play at the 11:47 mark of the second.
Anton Olsson was superb in net for the Vikings, as he stopped 23 shots. Baker had 22 saves for Marian.