SUPERIOR, Wis. - Marian University men's hockey (8-3-1, 3-3-0 NCHA) scored the final five goals of the game as the Sabres defeated UW-Superior 6-1 to win the inaugural Superior Showdown.

The scoring opened in the second period when the YellowJackets and Sabres combined for three goals in a span of 38-seconds.   Senior Hunter Stewart started the scoring 1:07 into the period before UW-Superior provided the equalizer 24-seconds later.  The 1-1 tie didn't last long as sophomore Clay Cross netted his second goal of the year 14-seconds later, which proved to be the game-winner.  Senior Cole McCaig and sophomore Shawn Brennan each earned an assist on the game-winner.

The Sabres then dominated action in the third period as MU held UW-Superior to only one shot on goal and netted four goals.  A pair of those goals from Marian came on the power play as Marian finished the game 2-7 with a man-advantage. 

Senior Curtis Lewington scored the first power play goal for his fifth score of the year, assists to Stewart and senior Derek Thorogood, to open the third period scoring.  Stewart scored the second power play goal, second of the game and seventh of the year, with assists to Lewington and junior Nick Monfils.

Junior Jake Howie scored his third goal of the year, assists to junior James Mathias and sophomore Brock Weston, and sophomore Mitchell Baumann netted his second of the season, assist to freshman Nick Ngwafusi, to round out the scoring.

The Marian penalty kill held UW-Superior scoreless on five opportunities including a 5-on-3 opportunity to open the game.  The Sabres also finished the game with a hefty advantage in shots as they outshot UW-Superior 29-13.

Sophomore Hunter Vorva closed out a strong weekend stopping 12 shots.

Marian returns to NCHA action when the Sabres travel to Concordia Wisconsin Friday, Jan. 5 for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop.

--FightBlueFight--