Box Score Notables-Saints out-shot the Sabres 36-26-Marian has won three of the last four meetings-CSS ended the regular season 1-4-1
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's hockey team entered the weekend controlling its own destiny to secure the No. 4 spot and home ice for next week's NCHA Harris Cup quarterfinals, but after Saturday's 4-3 loss to Marian University (Wis.) the Saints fell to the No. 6 seed and will be on the road next weekend.
After last night's devastating overtime defeat to the Sabres, CSS needed to gain a split today and a Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) loss.
The Sabres, who were looking to pass the Saints in the final conference standings, struck first, four minutes in on a Brian Berger goal.
Sam Williams (Winnipeg, Manitoba/River East Collegiate (Melville-SJHL) ) knotted it up midway through the period for the Saints.
Kale Derkson (Regina, Saskatchewan/Sheldon Williams Collegiate/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Notre Dame-SJHL)) and
Hunter Bergerson (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS (Minot-NAHL) ) had the assists.
CSS then took the lead on a
Dave Williams (Okotoks, Alberta/Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (Waywayseecappo-MJHL) ) tally with over five minutes left in the opening period.
Derek Hills (Campbell River, British Columbia/Timberline Secondary (Bowling Green State) ) was credited with the assist. However, Berger scored his second of the period over two minutes later, short-handed, as it was 2-2 at the first intermission.
It remained tied until Tanner Pagendam put the Sabres (13-11-1, 9-8-1 NCHA) in front with 10:22 on the clock in the second period. Berger completed the hat trick at the end of the period to give Marian a 4-2 lead after two.
With less than three minutes left in regulation,
Justin Krabben (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta/Hunting Hills HS (Canmore-AJHL) ) cut the margin to 4-3. He was assisted by Williams and Hills. However, the Saints could not get the equalizer and fell by a 4-3 score.
Tyler Bruggeman (North Mankato, Minn./Mankato West HS (Austin-NAHL) ) had 22 saves in the loss for the Saints. Mike Gudmandson had 33 saves in the victory for the Sabres.
The Saints (11-11-3, 8-8-2 NCHA) will be at Lake Forest College for the quarterfinals of the Harris Cup playoffs next weekend. Games times have yet to be announced.
