DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's hockey team was back in NCHA conference action Thursday evening at ImOn area as they hosted the Marian University Sabres. The Spartans scored two goals and held a lead for nearly all of the game. However, the Sabres pulled through and outlasted the Spartans in a 3-2 overtime finish. 
 
Both teams failed to find the back of the net in the first period as the game stayed scoreless after one period. The Spartans had a slight advantage shooting eight shots to the Sabres seven in the opening 20 minutes. The second period saw goals by the Spartans as Brandon Rossetti notched his first goal of the season off assists from Owen Hardy and Zach Burfoot. Right after the ensuing faceoff, the Spartans scored yet again just 14 seconds later as Max Erstad logged his first goal of the season with the assists from Ethan Lang and Jake Lamberty. The Sabres were able to answer just before the end of the period and the Spartans took a 2-1 lead after two periods.
 
The Spartans had 11 third period shots as opposed to the Sabres four, but the Sabres tied the game at the halfway point of the third period. Neither team would score again in regulation, resulting in the Spartans going to already their third overtime home game of the season. Just before a shootout seemed near, the Sabres found the net to defeat the Spartans 3-2 in the extra period.
 
As a team the Spartans had 30 shots on goal, had a faceoff percentage of 54.1% and had 11 blocked shots. Kaden Dundas, Chase Cooke, and Jake Lamberty led the Spartans with two blocks each. Freshman goalie Ryan Piros played all 64:28 and logged 21 saves.
 
The Spartans fall to 0-6-1 and 0-4-1 in NCHA play.
 
Up Next
The Spartans are back in action on the road against the Marian University Sabres tomorrow night from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to complete the conference series with the Sabres. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m.