Photo by Larry Radloff, D3Photography

APPLETON, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) - As a part of the MIAC/NCHA Showcase, Marian University and St. Olaf University squared off at the Appleton Ice Arena on Friday, Nov. 29. After having the lead at the end of the first, the Oles would rattle off three unanswered goals to defeat the Sabres, 4-3.

It was just three weeks ago that Marian was in Appleton taking on Lawrence University. On that Friday night game, the Sabres fell 3-1, only to return home on Saturday to win 6-2. This time around, the Sabres would be the team in control through the first 20.

Senior Tanner Burton broke the scoreless tie at 10:02 of the first period. Burton found the puck on his blade near the blue line and blasted home a slap-shot, giving Marian the early lead.

Just 94 seconds later, however, the Oles fought back and equalized on a goal by Nick Marsh. On a delayed penalty, Joe Blake went hard to the night and forced freshman goaltender Mike Baldwin to make a tough save. The rebound bounced out to Marsh who had a wide open look at frame to tie the game at one.

Late in the period, senior Robbie Bailey broke free behind the Ole defenders, thanks largely in part to passes by Burton and sophomore Lucas Mertz. In all alone, Bailey got Steven Papciak to move side to side and beat him glove side just under the crossbar.

St. Olaf would run the show in the second period, gathering two goals from Tim Tuscher and Peter Lindblad to take the 3-2 lead. The Oles would add a fourth early on in the third period on Lindblad's second of the night.

Staring down a two-goal deficit, the Sabres scratched and clawed their way to try and get back to level pegging. Senior Matt Williams scored his first goal of the season at 9:20 on assists from Burton and freshman Scott Milnthorp.

That would be as close as the Sabres could get, falling 4-3. They return to the Appleton Ice Arena on Saturday for game two of the MIAC/NCHA Showcase. Marian will face Gustavus Adolphus College who tied Lawrence University on Friday, 6-6.