Postgame Interview

FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin (SabreAthletics.com) – Derek Thorogood buried a wrist shot top shelf for the go-ahead goal with 1:02 remaining in regulation and propelled the Marian University men's hockey to a 4-3 win over rival Concordia University Wisconsin inside the Blue Line Family Ice Center, this evening, Jan. 30.

It was Thorogood's sixth goal of the year and it sparked a much-needed win for the Blue and White, who improve to 8-11-1 overall, 4-8-1 in the NCHA. Marian took a 2-0 lead just over 5 minutes into the contest and entered the third period with a 3-2 advantage. However, CUW's Braden Crone tied it with 7:32 left in the period, which set up the thrilling finish.

Ben Morgan got the Sabres on the board early, scoring on a slapper from Mark Whiteley at the 2:02 mark of the first period. Hunter Stewart then followed it up with his fifth goal of the year at the 5:11 mark. After Brian Berger and Scott Milnthorp helped set it up, Stewart shot a bouncing puck that proved too tough for CUW goaltender Jake Hebda to handle.

The Falcons (6-14, 2-11 NCHA) had their backs against the wall, but with 6:40 left in the period, Buster Hebda cleaned up a lose puck in front of the net and the CUW cut the deficit in half before the first intermission.

Just 44 seconds into the second period, CUW's Devin Stuermer registered his 10th of the year and suddenly the game was tied at 2-2.

At the 9:41 mark, Tanner Pagendam picked up his first goal of the year on a slap shot from beyond the right dot to give Marian a 3-2 advantage. Tempers flared at the end of the period when CUW's Eli Riddle and Marian's Derek Perl were sent off for face masking, further evidencing just how physical the game had become.

It was a quiet third period until Braden Crone snuck one past Marian netminder Mike Gudmandson with just 7:32 remaining to tie the score at 3-3. But it was Thorogood with the big tally to give Marian the win on an assist credited to Scott Milnthorp with just 1:02 left.

Gudmandson made 34 big saves in net to pick up his fourth win of the year, while his counterpart, Hebda, stopped 32 shots in a loss.

The Sabres and Falcons will meet again tomorrow in Mequon with a start time set for 7 p.m.