Game Summary

WINONA, Minn. — Denny O'Connor (Roseville, Minn.) netted his third collegiate hat trick — scoring once in all three periods — as the Saint Mary's University men's hockey team cruised to its third straight win, a 5-2 nonconference victory over Marian Friday evening at the SMU Ice Arena.

Ryan Stinson (Winona, Minn.) opened the scoring for the Cardinals (5-2-1 overall) at the 5:19 mark. O'Connor made it 2-0 seven minutes later as SMU took a 2-0 lead into the locker room after the first 20 minutes of play.

Matt Hangge (Rochester, Minn.) and O'Connor each scored in a four-minute span late in the second period to push SMU's lead to 4-1, while O'Connor's third goal was sandwiched between a pair of Marian goals by Kirk Joudrey in the third period.

Eric Richardson (Skokie, Ill.) picked up the win in goal for the Cardinals, stopping 27 shots, while SMU peppered Marian goalie Terry Dunbar with 47 shots.

The same two teams square off Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. at the SMU Ice Arena.