FOND DU LAC, Wis. — A three-goal outburst in a three-minute span in the first period Friday was enough to lift Marian University to a 5-2 Northern Collegiate Hockey Association victory over Lawrence University at the Blue Line Ice Center.
The game was the opener of the Battle of Highway 41 series. Marian needs a win or tie on Saturday at the Appleton Family Ice Center to retain possession of the traveling trophy.
Lawrence (0-3-0, 0-1-0 NCHA) got on the board just 50 seconds into the game when Blake Roubos scored off assists from Jake Drinkard and Josh Koepplinger.
Marian then put together a three-goal flurry just two minutes later. Derek Thorogood then scored at the 3:08 and 4:25 marks to put the Sabres up 2-1. Braden Crone made it 3-1 with a Marian goal at the 5:10 mark.
Daniel Gysi trimmed the lead to 3-2 with his first career goal for Lawrence at the 12:12 mark. Roubos picked up the assist for the Vikings.
That was it for Lawrence as Marian added a goal in both the second and third periods to seal the victory.
Mike Gudmandson made 14 saves to pick up the win for Marian (1-2-0, 1-0-0). Mattias Soderqvist allowed all five goals and finished with 10 saves for Lawrence. Greg Procopio came on in relief and made nine saves for the Vikings.