ST. CLOUD, Minn. - Marian University men's hockey (3-6-0, 1-5-0 NCHA) was able to bounce back after a 3-0 first period deficit to defeat St. John's (Minn.) 5-4.

In a span of a little over four minutes in the first SJU was able to net three goals that gave them an early lead.  The Johnnies would control play throughout the first period and outshot the Sabres 15-8 in the opening frame.

The Sabres bounced back in the second period, however, with a pair of goals separated by 27 seconds.  Senior Derek Perl opened the scoring on the power play with his second goal of the season and assists to junior Curtis Lewington and junior Derek Thorogood. 

Senior Scott Milnthorp then cut the deficit to one with his first goal of the season with assists to freshman Connor Blanck and senior Brodie Jamieson.

MU outshot St. John's 12-7 for the period and continued to ride their wave of momentum when junior Braden Crone lit the lamp for the second time this season to tie the game just 54 seconds into the third period.  Jamieson then gave the Sabres their first lead of the game at 4-3 at the 11:43 mark with an assist to sophomore Nick Monfils.

SJU bounced back with a goal two minutes later to quickly tie the game back at 4-4.  With just under three minutes left to play and the Marian penalty kill unit on the ice, junior Cole McCaig was able to score a short-handed goal unassisted, which proved to be the game-winner.

St. John's outshot the Sabres 35-29 for the game with each power play unit scoring a goal.

Senior Mike Baldwin (2-4-0) earned the win between the pipes for Marian making 31 saves, while Crone had a game-high five shots and Thorogood went 9-13 from the faceoff circle.

Marian travels to St. Olaf tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 27, for a 2:30 p.m. puck drop.

--FightBlueFight--