HANCOCK, Mich. (SabreAthletics.com) - An early goal put the Sabres in the driver's seat, but they would need third period heroics to complete the season sweep of Finlandia and clinch the sixth and final spot in the NCHA Slaats Cup Playoffs, defeating the Lions 2-1.

Fresh off the long bus ride, the Sabres wasted no time in getting to work as freshman Lydia Cloud scored her first career collegiate goal just 13 seconds in to put Marian ahead 1-0. Junior Amanda Waigand grabbed her 17th point on the season, earning the helper on Cloud's goal.

"I'm happy we were able to get one on the first shift," Head Coach Jamie Kivi said. "However, the rest of the game was a real battle."

The Lions, who are winless in their last 71 games, weren't going to go quietly and made the Sabres work for their win. Finlandia's Jena Kosley took a penalty at 10:31 of the first period to give Marian their second power play of the game. A missed pass led to a chance for Finlandia and Kimberly Harter slotted her shot past junior Amanda Alexander to tie the game at one.

A quiet second period resulted in neither team able to gain the upper hand. Shots on goal were fairly even at 8-7, with Marian having the slight advantage.

With time dwindling down, and the chance of overtime looming large, Waigand returned to the stage and sent home her 11th goal of the year to give Marian the lead at 7:25 of the third period. Finlandia attempted to level the playing field by pulling their goaltender with 1:10 left, but were unsuccessful as Marian held on for the 2-1 win.

Following the victory, Marian clinched their first-ever playoff berth, having secured the sixth and final spot in the NCHA. The Sabres trail Concordia Wis. for fifth place by a single point and will host the Falcons at the Blue Line on Feb. 14 and 15.

Marian will travel to Duluth, Minn. tonight in preparation for tomorrow's match-up with St. Scholastica. Just four weeks ago, the Sabres shocked the Saints with four unanswered goals in the third period to upset the then sixth-ranked Saints. St. Scholastica will be playing without its two top scorers in Nina and Isabelle Waidacher as they are in Sochi, Russia playing for Team Switzerland in the Winter Olympic Games.

Fans can catch tomorrow night's game courtesy of CSSSaints.com with the puck drop set for 7:00 p.m.