Box Score

HANCOCK, Mich. (SabreAthletics.com) – Bryce Wilson's third period power play goal went down as the game-winner as the Marian University men's hockey team took down the Lions of Finlandia University, 5-3, in the first of a two-game series on the road tonight, Nov. 11.

Wilson scored with 10:17 remaining in the final stanza, following up a Dakota Dubetz power play score which gave the Sabres a slight edge less than a minute prior. Brian Berger added a much-needed insurance goal with less than five minutes left and the Sabres stole the first game of the series. Tommy Fitzpatrick and Dubetz each totaled three points in the win, scoring a goal while adding two assists.

The Sabres improved to 4-1 overall, 3-0 in MCHA play, while the Lions dropped to 0-5 (0-3 MCHA).

After playing the first 16 minutes of the first period scoreless, Finlandia finally cracked the scoreboard with a power play goal by Collin Saint-Onge with 3:59 left before the first intermission. Just before the Lions felt like it was a safe bet to take a lead into the break, Tommy Fitzpatrick disappointed them with a game-tying goal assisted by Tanner Burton and Dubetz with just under two minutes left.

Midway through the second period, the Sabres took their first lead on Tom Glomski's first goal of the season on assists by Mitch Kriz and Chris Thompson.

Saint-Onge would answer back, though, with his second goal of the game and third of the season to tie things up nearly eight minutes into the third period. It would start a scoring barrage that amounted to five goals combined in the final stanza.

Dubetz then pulled the Sabres back in front at the 9:01 mark with his fifth goal of the season on assists by Burton and Fitzpatrick. Just 42 second later, Wilson made it 4-2 and the game was nearly sealed up. After quick power play goal from Finlandia's Nemanja Jankovic to make the score, 4-3, Brian Berger finally put the game to rest with a late goal to wrap it up.

Marian goaltender Josh Baker made 31 saves in earning his fourth victory of the season. The Lions' Cedrik LaFrance stopped 30 shots despite taking the loss.

The Sabres will try to match last year's 5-1 start when they do battle with the Lions again tomorrow afternoon. Puck drops at 4:15 eastern time.