Redmen score late to draw a tie in the first game of the Chelsea Invitational

It went down to the final seconds of regulation, but the Marquette Redmen Hockey Redmen were able to bring the game to a tie against the Livonia-Churchill Chargers. Marquette has been off since Jan. 25th and has dropped their previous two contents. This was the first game in a brutal schedule for Marquette who will play five games in eight days. Tonight’s contest is the first game in the Chelsea Invitational Tournament.

The Marquette Redmen suffered an early first-period goal, giving away a turnover high in their offensive zone that was picked up by Livonia-Churchill’s ___ who buried the breakaway opportunity 1:27 into the game. Turnovers continued for the Redmen who avoided a few other potential disasters, as they gave the Chargers five superb scoring chances. Marquette had a few solid offensive moments but was not able to put the puck in the back of the net. Aiden Frost threw a heavy shoulder tonight connecting on three solid body checks.

Livonia-Churchill found the back of the net again in the second period thanks to senior forward Carter Swider. Swider’s goal brought the Chargers lead to two goals, despite consistent pressure from the Redmen offense. Both teams tied with eleven shots on goal through two periods with a barrage of Marquette’s shots coming in the final 10 minutes of the period.

The Redmen came out of the locker room ready to play the third period, controlling the puck the entire period. Marquette outshot Livonia-Churchill 15-3 in the third period and was finally able to find the back of the net, thanks to a deflection from junior forward Joe Phillips. Marquette kept the pressure up the rest of the period but Charger junior goalie Joey Proctor stood on his head. Proctor was able to keep the game level until 2 seconds remaining in the game when senior defenseman Aydin Frost rocketed a loose puck from the middle of the slot to even the game for Marquette. Because this game is taking place in a points-based tournament, tonight’s game ended in a tie rather than settling a winner in overtime.

The Marquette Redmen take the ice again tomorrow as they take on the host team, the Chelsea Bulldogs. Increment weather is possibly expected tonight into tomorrow, with public schools already announcing school closings. Check in with foxsportsmarquette.com throughout the day to check the status of the game. Puck drop is expected at 3 p.m. and coverage can be heard on 105.1 FoxSportsMarquette and streaming online at foxsportsmarquette.com.

Audio from tonight’s game here: