FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Trailing 2-1 with 47.3 seconds remaining in the third period, freshman Derek Perl found the back of the net to steal a point for the Sabres against third-ranked Adrian College inside the Blue Line Family Ice Center, this evening, Dec. 6.

Perl's goal turned the tide for what was a struggling third period team for much of the year. The Sabres had entered the night with four one goal defeats, while holding a lead in 10 of 11 games. Although Marian did not secure a lead on this night, it did score twice in the third period against the nation's top defensive team, which had allowed just a goal per game coming in.

 The Sabres moved to 4-7-1 overall, 3-3-1 in the NCHA with the tie, while the Bulldogs moved to 9-0-1 (6-0-1 NCHA).

Just 2:28 in to the second period, Brett Pinkerton got the Bulldogs on the board with his third goal of the season. Duston Hebebrand and Ryan Lowe earned helpers on the goal that held to the second intermission.

Trailing 1-0, Robbie Bailer took advantage of some space and snuck one past Adrian goalie James Hamby with 14 minutes remaining in the period. Aaron Leonard and Matt Berger were credited with the assists.

Only 1:45 later, the Bulldogs regained the lead when Austin Hervey pounded home a rebound after shots by Jeremy Olinyk and Shelby Gray were denied by Marian net-minder Josh Baker.

Frustrated for allowing the score – and possibly for contact near the crease going unpenalized – the senior goalie was penalized himself, being sent to the box for a 10-minute game misconduct penalty.

That forced freshman replacement Mike Baldwin to enter the fray on short notice. The Waukesha native made four key saves in the final 16-plus minutes, including overtime, to hold off the high-powered Bulldog offense.

That set the stage for Perl and the Sabres in the final minute of regulation. Having pulled Baldwin for the extra attacker for 23 seconds already, Marian called a timeout with 47.3 seconds remaining. As both teams appeared set for the faceoff, Adrian followed suit with one of their own.

Finally ready for the restart, Matt Williams won the faceoff and Perl sent a screaming slap shot past Hamby for the tying goal, his second of the season.

Adrian's Justin Basso took a penalty with 1:00 remaining in the extra session, but the Sabres were unable to take advantage.

Both teams will meet once more for the series finale tomorrow. The game will honor America's veterans and the Sabres will unveil jerseys to commemorate the event. Puck is set to drop at 4 p.m.