VANCOUVER, B.C. — In one of the most meaningful road trips in program history, the Maryville M1 Men's Hockey Team traveled north of the border for a two-game non-conference series against NCAA DI independent powerhouse Simon Fraser University (SFU). The Saints went 1-1 against SFU, including a rousing 4-1 victory on the second game of the series.
 
Traveling 30 players to Canada, it was a homecoming for 24 of them as the Saints continued to battle through their tough 2025-26 schedule.
 
FRIDAY: SFU 2, MU 1 - Shootout
Friday night showcased playoff-style intensity from puck drop to the final shot. Regulation and overtime could not separate the two sides, sending the game to a shootout, where SFU ultimately edged Maryville in a four-round decision.
 
Freshman Vito Biondo scored the Saints' lone goal in regulation, while senior goaltender Lucas Bain delivered another standout performance, stopping 28 of 29 shots in regulation to keep the Saints within striking distance.
 
SATURDAY: MU 4, SFU 1
Looking to wipe off the loss from a day prior, the Saints started down one as the Red Leafs  capitalized on a first-period power play to take a 1–0 lead. Physicality arrived to the contest after that as the penalty box became a popular resting spot for both teams.
 
With a late 5-on-3 power play in the second period, junior Brett Ursulak buried the equalizer to swing momentum in Maryville's favor.
 
Entering the final frame, it was all Maryville. Ethan Chesney added a power-play score to gain the advantage for the Saints. Ursulak followed that with his own man-advantage goal and then with an open net Josh Olson scored the third of the period for the Saints to put the dagger in a program defining victory on Canadian soil.
 
Senior goaltender Lucas Bain once again backstopped the victory, turning aside 29 of 30 shots to secure the Saints' 4–1 win.
 
COACHES CORNER
Head Coach and Director of Hockey John Hogan on the team's weekend in Canada…
"I'm incredibly proud of our effort this weekend, taking it to a shootout on Friday and then getting over the hump on Saturday. For so many of our guys, earning a historic win on their home soil was special. More importantly, it shows that we can win a national tournament this year if we play the right way. And as we continue to grow, it's another reminder that we're ready to take the next step in our progression if the opportunity comes to elevate to NCAA Division I."
 
NEXT UP
The Saints are not done yet. Maryville now travels even farther north for its final game of the semester and calendar year. The Saints now battle another NCAA Division I opponent in exhibition play, facing off against Alaska Anchorage Wednesday, Dec. 10.
 
Maryville resumes ACHA competition in January.