PITTSBURGH, PA – Angelo Marquart (Hackettstown, NJ/) scored the game-winning goal midway through the second period and Brandon Gordon (Sault Ste. Marie, MI/) made 20 saves on way to his second career shutout as the Wilkes University men's ice hockey team held on for a 1-0 United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) win over host Chatham University Friday night at the Frozen Pond Arena.
 
Wilkes remains in first place in the UCHC improving to 13-4-1 overall and 9-2-1 in conference games. Chatham dropped to 4-12-2 overall and 2-8-1 in league contests. The win also clinches the season sweep over the Cougars as the Colonels also posted an 8-4 victory at home back in November.
 
The first period saw neither team muster much offense as the bluelines steadied play throughout. Chatham held a slight 8-6 shot advantage with each team unsuccessful on one power play in the first 20 minutes.
 
Wilkes notched the only goal of the game midway through the second period when Marquart skated through two Chatham defenders before his shot went glove side of the goaltender knocking off the crossbar and into the back of the net. Danny Reidel (Wayne, NJ/) and Dylan Kuipers (Andover, NJ/) picked up the assists on Marquart's third goal of the season.
 
Wilkes tried to add to its lead late in the second period after Chatham took a cross-checking penalty with just under three minutes left in the frame to setup the Colonels power play, but two saves by the Cougars goaltender, one off Jay Gallagher's (Reading, MA/) stick and the other Donald Flynn's (Randolph, NJ) kept the game at 1-0 through 40 minutes.
 
Chatham amped up its pressure in the offensive end throughout the final period especially over the final three minutes, but Gordon was up to the task stopping several up-close attempts including the final minute when Chatham pulled its goalie for the extra attacker.
 
Wilkes held a 32-20 shot advantage including a big second period advantage where the Colonels peppered the Cougar goaltender 18 shots including 17 on goal which eventually led to Marquart's game-winner. Wilkes also owned the faceoff circle winning 34-of-60 attempts.
 
The Colonels have a quick turnaround as they continue their road stretch tomorrow (Saturday) in a key Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and UCHC contest at Stevenson University. Wilkes defeated the Mustangs 4-2 in the teams' first meeting this season in November. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.