SUPERIOR, Wis. - Marian University NCAA men's hockey (5-9-0, 2-6-0-0 NCHA) dropped the opening the opening round of the Superior Showdown to host UW-Superior 2-1.
- Marian was able to jump out to a quick start but it was UW-Superior who struck first with just 6:57 left in the first period.
- Then just 1:30 later, the Yellow Jackets were able to build their lead out to 2-0.
- Marian nearly cut the deficit in half but a shot from freshman Cole Carlson would hit the pipe with 30 seconds in the period.
- This two-goal advantage stood all the way into the third period before Marian finally struck.
- Junior Nicholas Cherkowski would net his seventh goal of the season with assists coming from fellow juniors Daunte Fortner and Jaymes Knee.
- Cherkowski narrowly missed tying the game just 50 seconds later but a second Sabre shot would clang off the post.
- Marian spent the final 1:09 with an extra attacker but were unable to find an equalizing goal.
- Marian had a slim 32-31 edge in shots outshooting UWS in the first and third periods.
- The Sabre power play went 1-for-3 (.333), while the penalty kill held UWS scoreless on three opportunities.
- Each team had 21 wins in the faceoff circle.
- Marian falls to 6-5-3 all-time against UW-Superior having dropped the last two meetings.
- This is the first defeat in the opening round of the Superior Showdown for the Sabres in six tournaments.
