DULUTH, Minn. - The Marian men's hockey team (5-3-3, 3-3-1 NCHA) used three goals in the first period to improve to 3-2-2 on the year against nationally ranked opponents with a 4-1 win at St. Scholastica.

Scott Milnthorp opened the Sabre scoring at the 2:25 mark for his third goal of the season with Devin Stuermer assisting.  Mike Zajac then netted his first goal of the year a minute and 55 seconds later to put the Sabres up 2-0 early.  Ben Morgan assisted on the goal, which proved to be the game winner, for his sixth point of the season.

The Saints cut the deficit in half with 8:15 left in the period, but a short handed goal from Jake Howie in the final two minutes of the opening stanza put Marian up 3-1.  The goal was Howie's fifth of the season, while Milnthorp earned his second point of the game with an assist.

Gianni Mangone extended the Sabre lead early in the second period for his fourth goal of the season with 16:42 left to play in the second.  Derek Thorogood and Hunter Stewart earned assists on the play, which proved to be the final goal of the game.

St. Scholastica held a 21-14 shots advantage for the game, but the Sabres penalty kill held the Saints 0-4 on the power play.

Mike Baldwin improved to 3-1-3 on the year in the crease for the Sabres stopping 20 of the 21 shots sent his way.

Howie finished the game with a team-high three shots to go with a +3 on-ice rating, while Morgan led the team with 17 face off wins.

Marian concludes the series with St. Scholastica tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 5, with a 4 p.m. puck drop.

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