Green Knights Win 500th Game Behind Big Third Period

From Sports Information Director, November 1, 2014 | Men's Hockey
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

FOND DU LAC - St. Norbert College won its 500th game in men's hockey history with a 4-1 win over Marian University in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association game at Blue Line Family Ice Center.

The Green Knights (2-0, 2-0 NCHA), who won their 13th consecutive game dating back to last season, are now 500-197-48 in 26-plus seasons of varsity ice hockey.

St. Norbert snapped a 1-1 tie after two periods with three third-period goals. The Green Knights went on a power play after Marian's Brian Berger was cited for tripping at 11:26. Just 18 seconds later, Blake Thompson netted a power-play goal with Mason Baptista and Marian Fiala assisting.

That goal held up until the game's waning moments. Chris Rial registered an empty-net goal with 1 minute remaining, again with Baptista and Fiala assisting. Cullen Bradshaw then collected an empty-netter of his own with 30 seconds left, with Sam Higgins assisting. Bradshaw's marker gave him 100 career points at St. Norbert, the 21st player in program history to reach that mark.

Marian took an early lead when Hunter Stewart benefited from a deflection just 5:40 into the game. St. Norbert wouldn't get the equalizer until late in the second period when Noah Nelson scored at 15:28. Fiala assisted on that goal, giving him three assists for the game.

St. Norbert outshot Marian 41-17, including 34-12 over the final two periods. David Jacobson made 16 saves for St. Norbert, while Mike Gudmandson made 37 stops for the Sabres. St. Norbert was 1-for-4 on the power play, while Marian was 0-for-4.