From MaryvilleSaints.com
EDMOND, Okla. – The ninth-ranked Maryville Saints split a two-game set with the preseason first-ranked University of Central Oklahoma over the weekend. After a defensive struggle in which the M1 Saints prevailed in game one, the Bronchos came storming back in game two with a 6-5 victory.
Friday’s match was a defensive and goaltending clinic. Johnny Massara secured the upset win in the pipes stopping 19 of 20 shots while TJ Prexler and Jake Chartier both scored powerplay goals to help the Saints to a 2-1 victory.
Saturday was much more wide-open offensively. UCO scored just 90 seconds into the game, taking the early momentum and riding it to a 4-2 lead heading into the first intermission. The scoring continued on both sides into the third period with the Saints scoring a powerplay goal to cut the deficit to one at 6-5 with 17 minutes left in the game. Maryville went on to outshoot the Bronchos 26-19 but ultimately fell with a 6-5 final.
“I was really happy and proud of our group’s overall play this weekend,” said Head Men’s Hockey Coach John Hogan. “We played a solid game Friday and while we weren’t as sharp Saturday, the resolve of our group was impressive. We never quit, stayed positive, and worked hard enough to be just one bounce and shot from tying the game in the last period. It’s fun to see our returners leading by example and incoming guys buying into our philosophies. While not satisfied with the result Saturday, we can take a lot of learning moments for the future. As a group, I can tell you we are excited to keep building and layering on our game.”
The Saints are back in action this weekend on Friday, Sept. 30 against the Illinois State Redbirds. Puck drop is set for 7 pm in Bloomington, Illinois at the Grossinger Motor Arena. Game two of the series will take place on Saturday, Oct. 1 in the Maryville University Hockey Arena at 8:30 p.m.
(Originally published at https://maryvillesaints.com/news/2022/9/26/acha-m1-ice-hockey-m1-saints-split-road-weekend-at-no-1-central-oklahoma.aspx)
