With two wins against the Creighton Bluejays last weekend, the Marquette hockey team extended its winning streak to five games and moved to 10-3-1 on the season. Both victories proved to be the toughest to earn so far this season.
“We had a couple of barn burners this weekend,” head coach Will Jurgensen said about the high-scoring match-up.
Creighton opened up the scoring in Friday’s game, but two goals from junior forward Johnny Stillman gave Marquette a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.
After exchanging leads for most of the second period, Marquette rallied in the third to tie up the game on a goal from sophomore forward Brian Kennedy. The goal put the Golden Eagles up for good, and the team took the victory, 6-4.
The Golden Eagles continued their season-long trend of slow starts on Saturday when Creighton jumped out to a 4-0 lead within the first four minutes of the game.
“We had just the worst start of all time,” Jurgensen said. “Before we could even wake up it was four to nothing.”
A goal by Stillman slightly closed the margin, but the first period ended with a 4-1 Creighton lead. Marquette would go on a run of their own however, and the teams were tied 5-5 at the end of the second period.
An early goal by Creighton in the third put the Bluejays up 6-5, but a goal by junior forward and team captain Adam Benkovich tied the game up with six minutes left. With just under two minutes in regulation, Marquette went on a power play, and junior Corey Quinn scored the game-winning goal with thirty seconds remaining. The Golden Eagles won 7-6.
“We faced some adversity and we were able to overcome,” Jurgensen said. “It just shows that the guys didn’t give up. Disappointing start, but at the same time you get to see what kind of team you have.”
In total, nine different players scored goals for Marquette this weekend, including Stillman who led the team with three goals.
“That’s good to see so many different players contributing,” said Jurgensen.
The win not only gave Marquette a five-game win streak, but also improved the team’s home win streak to 14 games dating back to last season. The Golden Eagles have a chance to push the streak to sixteen games as they host 8-8 Missouri State this weekend.
