ST. PETER, Minn. (SabreAthletics.com) – Goals by Adam Ritchie and Warren Carter propelled the Marian University men's hockey team to its third straight win with a 2-1 victory over host Gustavus Adolphus College and a weekend sweep at the MIAC/NCHA Thanksgiving Showcase, inside the Don Roberts Ice Rink, this evening, Nov. 30.

In a game that featured two evenly matched teams, the Sabres (5-4-0) came away with the victory thanks to three periods of solid two-way play. Ritchie scored the game's first goal at the 7:36 mark in the second period followed by Carter's game-winner with 3:41 left in regulation.

"This was a huge win," said A.J. Aitken, in his third season with the Sabres. "Today was one of the biggest wins in my coaching career. Gustavus is a very good team and this is a hard place to play."

Marian goalie Mike Gudmandson came away with 31 saves en route to his third win in five starts in net.

"Our goaltending was outstanding this weekend," Aitken said. "Both Mike Baldwin and Mike Gudmandson have been great so far. Both give us a chance to win every night."

It was a scoreless first period that saw the Gusties (3-3-4) fail to take advantage of a Marian penalty in the first 24 seconds, as well as 17 shots on target. Gudmandson with big save after big save to turn away the hosts and essentially provide some momentum for the Sabres heading into the first intermission despite not having scored a goal.

"We really struggled in the first period as Gustavus took it to us," Aitken said. "I challenged the team to believe and play with passion and they responded in a big way."

At the 7:36 mark of the second period, the Sabres finally cracked the scoring column when Ritchie finished a great rush opportunity. Derek Perl was able to turn the puck away from GAC, which allowed Jacob Ryd to start a 2-on-1 advantage. He then found Ritchie, who fakes the goalie nearside and slipped a backhand inside the far post to make it 1-0.

With just 38 seconds remaining in the period, Gustavus tied the game, taking advantage of a delayed penalty call as Jack Walsh found the back of the net on a mad scramble in front of the goal.

Marian came out in the third period and outshot GAC, 10-4, keeping the momentum going despite the late second period goal and found the go-ahead score it was looking for.

Carter sealed the deal on his third score of the year with a wrister past GAC goalie Isaak Tjaden far post. Assists were credited to Aaron Leonard and Alfred Johansson. Sabres fought off a few chances down the stretch to hang on for the 2-1 win and improve to a game above .500 for the first time this season.

"The team is coming together and learning how to win close games...doing what it takes to win," Aitken added. "I'm very happy with the team's effort this weekend."

Marian will endure yet another long road trip as it travels to Adrian, Mich. to take on the fourth-ranked Bulldogs next Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6. Friday's start time is set for 7 p.m. eastern time followed by a 3 p.m. start Saturday.