ASHLAND, Wis. - Marian University men's hockey (6-7-1, 4-5-0 NCHA) used a four goal third period to comeback and defeat Northland 4-2 on the road.

The Jacks came out firing on their home ice as they were able to net a pair of goals in the first 9:28 of the opening period.  MU would outshoot Northland in the opening period 11-9 but couldn't find the back of the net.

The second period was a defensive battle that saw Northland outshoot the Sabres 7-6 but neither team would find light the lamp and Marian would head into the third period still trailing 2-0.

Freshman Clay Cross started the rally for the Sabres with his third goal of the year at the 6:32 mark with assists to fellow freshman Lawson MacDonald and sophomore James Mathias.  Mathias then knotted the game up at two apiece 4:41 later, his first goal of the season, and was assisted by sophomore Gianni Mangone.

The game wouldn't stay tied long, however, as freshman Connor Blanck would light the lamp for the first time this season 55-seconds later with an assist from senior Cole McCaig to give the Sabres their first lead of the game at 3-2.

Cross then sealed the win with his second goal of the game when he took advantage of an empty net with three seconds left in the game, assist to Mathias, to set the final at 4-2.

Northland finished with a 28-26 shot advantage and each team's power play unit went 0-2 on the night.

Senior Mike Baldwin (5-4-1) earned the win between the pipes for the Sabres shaking off a slow start and finishing with 26 saves on the night.

Marian completes their road series against Northland tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 7 with a 4 p.m. puck drop.

--FightBlueFight--