Cline lifts Lawrence past Marian as Vikings claim Battle of Highway 41 trophy

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University hockey team came up winners twice on Saturday.

The Vikings topped Marian University 2-1 in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association game at the Appleton Family Ice Center to even the weekend Battle of Highway 41 series at a game apiece.

The Vikings and Sabres then went eight rounds in a shootout to determine who got possession of the traveling trophy, and Reed Gregory’s goal gave Lawrence (1-3-0, 1-1-0 NCHA) a 2-1 shootout victory.

Lawrence rookie goaltender Evan Cline made his collegiate debut and stole the show for the Vikings. Cline stopped 38 shots and secured the win despite Marian (1-3-0, 1-3-0) having an extra attacker on the ice for the final minute. Mike Baldwin made 20 saves and took the loss for the Sabres.

The Vikings grabbed the early 1-0 lead on Blake Roubos’ second goal of the season just 4:58 into the first period. Jake Drinkard and Josh Koepplinger both had assists for the Vikings.

Lawrence made it 2-0 with just 3:03 left in the second period when rookie Daniel Gysi scored his second goal of the season off an assist from Roubos.

Marian cut the lead in half just 1:18 into the third period when Derek Perl scored off assists from Gianni Mangone and Derek Thorogood. That was all Marian would get as Cline stopped the final 10 shots of the period from the Sabres.

Austin Frank got the shootout started for Lawrence with a goal, but Marian tied it to force extra shooters. The third extra shooter was Gregory, who beat Baldwin to bring the trophy back to Appleton.

The teams combined for 31 penalties, 18 against the Vikings and 13 against the Sabres. Marian went 0-for-10 on the power play, and Lawrence was 0-for-6.

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