Marian ACHA D2 splits opening weekend with Purdue Northwest

Marian University ACHA D2 (1-1-0, 0-0-0 NCHL) split a pair of 3-2 games to open the season.

GAME 1 (HOME)

The season opener saw the Sabres get out to a slow start with PNW scoring a pair of goals to open the scoring.
The first Pride goal came 8:33 into the period before taking a 2-0 lead with just 5:30 left in the stanza.
Simon Ellingson was able to get Marian on the board at the just 1:58 later for the first score of the year.
Marian was then able to tie the game in the final minute when DJ Horne lit the lamp on the power play with an assist to Gavyn Galloway.
The Pride were able to retake the lead midway through the second period and took a 3-2 lead into the final period.
The Sabres were able to put together a final push in the final minutes only to have a goal waved off in the final minutes to seal the 3-2 final.

GAME 2 (AWAY)

Marian was able to get out to a stronger start in game two with Devon Butler scoring with an assist from Ellingson 9:45 into the opening period.
Serge Simard then gave Marian a multi-goal lead going into the second period with assists from Jordan Butler and Jason Vogler.
With just 1:45 left in the second period, Galloway gave the Sabres a 3-0 lead scoring on a power play with an assist from Simard.
PNW scord 2:05 into the final period and then again with just 2:53 left to play but Marian was able to hold off the rally.

GAME 1

Marian held a slim 34-33 advantage in shots in the defeat.
The game was littered with penalties with the two squads combining for 19 total penalties.
The Sabres had all of their goals come on power plays, while PNW had even-strength scores.

GAME 2

The Sabres held a 39-27 advantage in shots for the game .
Marian was much more disciplined in game two only recording 10 penalty minutes to 22 for the Pride.
The Sabres once again scored the only power-play goal of the game, which also served as the game-winner.
The Marian penalty kill held PNW scoreless on five chances.

	Simon Ellingson had a point in each game scoring a goal in the opener with a helper in game two.
	Serge Simard had a multi-point game in the finale of the series scoring a goal and assisting the game-winner.
	Knute Loe (1-0-0) made 25 saves to earn a win in the first start of his career.