Junior forward Tyler Nielsen's overtime goal gave the Lake Forest College men's hockey team a 4-3 victory at Marian University Saturday night in the final game of the regular season.
It was the ninth score of the season and first career game-winner for Nielsen, who skated from the top of the left circle to the right before firing a shot into the corner of the net.
Lake Forest needed a pair of comebacks to force overtime. Marian had scored twice in the opening period and was still ahead 2-0 until sophomore forward Jared Gerger got the visitors on the scoreboard with just 1:15 remaining in in the second. Sophomore Connor Sullivan's fourth of the year at the 4:40 mark of the third tied the score at two.
After the Sabres converted a power play opportunity to regain the lead at the 8:11 mark, Forester freshman forward Logan Kittleson's first career goal tied the game again. It was a two-point night for Kittleson, who had assisted on Gerger's score, and Sullivan, who set up the game-winner.
Senior goaltender Carson Poulin made 10 saves in each of the first two periods and 25 on the night to earn the victory.
Lake Forest completed the regular season with an overall record of 10-11-4 and Northern COllegiate Hockey Association mark of 7-8-3, good for seventh in the league standings. Marian finished at 11-12-2 overall and in sixth place at 8-8-2 in the conference.
The Foresters will make the short trip to Aurora University on Thursday and Friday for the quarterfinal round of the NCHA Harris Cup Playoffs.
