SUPERIOR, Wis. - Marian University men's hockey (5-5-2, 1-4-1-0 NCHA) defeated UW-Superior 1-0 in a shootout after a 2-2 draw to advance to the Superior Showdown Championship for the fourth time in program history.

In the second meeting between the two squads this season, neither team was able to find the back of the net after the opening 20 minutes of action. A power-play tally from UW-Superior then opened the scoring at the 7:57 mark of the second period.

Junior Brady Pupp would open the scoring for Marian at the 12:28 mark with assists to junior Zach Lawrence and freshman Conrad Phillips.  Another score from the Yellow Jackets with just 1:05 left on the clock gave UWS a 2-1 advantage heading to the final period.

The lead didn't last long as sophomore Austin Nault would light the lamp just 22 seconds into the third period, assist to freshman Nick Cherkowski, to tie the game.  This eventually led to overtime where Marian was able to kill a penalty and fend off six UWS shots to go to a shootout.  Neither team was able to find the back of the net until the final opportunity when sophomore Mason Richey clinched the Sabre victory.

The Sabres outshot UW-Superior 14-12 in the final period but were outshot 39-27 for the game.  Senior Parker Colley led the offense with five shots and had a team-high 13 faceoff wins.  Junior Colby Muise (4-5-2) started the second half on the right foot making 37 saves.

Marian has qualified for the Superior Showdown Championship all four seasons they have attended the tournament and are 2-1 in those games.

The Sabres will take on fellow NCHA member No. 10 Aurora tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m.