MENOMINEE, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) - Just 11 days into the 2013-14 season, the Marian men's hockey team played their first game, traveling to Menominee, Wis. With limited practice time under their belt, a lot of questions surrounded the team and what they'd bring to the ice on opening day. In a scratch and claw type of match, it would be a penalty shot in overtime that decided it, sending UW-Stout to victory, 4-3.

Senior Tyler Klein opened the scoring for the Sabres just 1:17 into the first period. Freshman Derek Perl collected his point of the season with the assist on Klein's goal. An All-MCHA player last season, he led the Sabres in scoring during the 2012-13 season with 15 goals and eight assists. The Fargo native would add a second minutes later on an assist from junior Rjay Berra and freshman Mike Zajac, giving the Sabres a comforatble two goal lead in the first period.

Before the opening 20 was complete, the Blue Devils would get one back, with Matt Millis scoring at the 10:36 mark of the first period. Senior Josh Baker was impressive in net, stopping 15 of the 16 shots he faced.

With less than five minutes remaining in the first, senior Tanner Burton capitalized from the blue line on the power play to put the Sabres ahead by two. Klein and freshman Scott Milnthorp earned helpers on Burton's goal.

UW-Stout controlled the second period, scoring twice to even things up at three. Kevin O'Donnell and Zach Vierling assisted on a power play goal by Logan Maly to cut the Marian lead in half, only to have O'Donnell tie things up on another power play goal just over halfway through the second period.

The third frame saw the Sabres fling 13 shots on goal, but Corey Kopp denied every singe one of them. With less than ten seconds remaining, Justin Moody clanged one off the pipe, nearly beating Baker. 

For the second straight year, overtime would be needed to determine a winner. With a tie nearing, the Blue Devils were awarded a penalty shot with 22 seconds remaining. O'Connell beat Baker five-hole and capture the win and send UW-Stout to an opening day victory.

"I thought it was a good effort by the guys jupming out to a 3-1 lead," Head Coach AJ Aitken said. "But we have to find a way to shut the door."

While it was not the result the team was looking for, the coaching staff will have some things to be pleased about after such a quick start to the season. For one, Klein appears to have the quick strike and laser accuracy. Baker, while he allowed four goals on the night, was resilient, stopping 48 of the 52 shots he faced.

"That was a tough way to lose on a penalty shot in OT," Aitken said. "I thought we had our chances to win this game."

The Sabres will host St. Norbert next Friday at the Blue Line with puckdrop set for 7 p.m. The Green Knights enter as the preseason No. 1 in the NCHA, after their appearance in the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Tournament last season.