Box Score

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Freshman Brian Berger netted two goals, book-ending a, 5-4, Marian University men's hockey team opening night victory over UW-Stevens Point at the Blueline Family Ice Center this evening, Oct. 21.

A 2-1 Marian lead heading into the third period turned into a scoring barrage as both teams combined for six goals in the final stanza. The Pointers tied the game just a minute and four seconds into the third period, but the Sabres had a quick response by scoring two goals in a span of 45 seconds. After another UWSP goal cut the Sabre lead, their second two-goal deficit of the night, Berger added his second goal of the game, proving to be the game-winner with 12:51 left in the game.

Marian starts its record off on the right foot, 1-0, while UW-Stevens Point falls to 0-1.

Both teams wasted no time getting physical as 12 penalties were called in the first period. The game would see 26 penalties combined before it was said and done. Marian goaltender Josh Baker withstood 28 shots on goal, making 24 saves to get the victory.

The Sabres took a quick lead with a Berger powerplay goal just 3:28 into the game. Aaron Leonard then made it a two-goal lead with a score at the 11:49 mark and it would stay a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.

The second period saw the Pointers cut the deficit in half with a goal from Jon Madden midway through. Both offenses wiped off the rust in between the second and third stanzas and gave the crowd plenty of reasons to stand up and cheer as they combined for six goals in the third period.

The Pointers netted a quick score just 1:04 into the third to tie the game at 2-2. But the Marian captain, Dakota Dubetz, provided a quick go-ahead score followed by a Brendan Roberts tally that suddenly gave the Sabres another two-goal lead in a span of 45 seconds.

Two minutes later, Kyle Heck made it 4-3 before Berger netted what amounted to be the game-winner on Robbie Bailey's third assist of the night.

The Sabres will be back in action tomorrow night as they take on another NCHA opponent in UW-Stout. It should prove to be another nail-biter as both teams garnered seven ranking votes in the first USCHO.com poll of the season. Puck drops at 7 p.m. in Menomonie, Wis.