EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — Freshman Cade Mason put an exclamation point on a thriller on Sunday night.

Mason, a defenseman from Red Deer, Alberta, scored the game-winner on a power play in overtime as the LIU men's ice hockey team rallied from a three-goal deficit to defeat Brown, 5-4, at Northwell Health Ice Center.

LIU had been on a 4-on-3 advantage late in OT after Sharks winger Anthony Vincent picked up a two-minute penalty for running into the goaltender, but Brown goalie Mathieu Caron picked up a five-minute major and game misconduct for retaliating.

After the teams then played even for two minutes in the extra session, the Sharks went to the advantage and Mason scored with 65 seconds remaining. It was his second goal of the game … and of his young collegiate career.

The slapshot from Mason beat Brown backup goaltender Jacob Zacharewicz, who had entered the game in OT after Caron's ejection.

"I shot it as hard as I could, and luckily it went in," Mason said. "It was a really special moment. I'm happy that I was able to help the team in any way that I can."

Mason's winner completed a rally from a 4-1 second-period deficit.

It also gave LIU its first overtime win of the season after heartbreakers at Northeastern and Wisconsin and a tie at Quinnipiac, all also in OT.

"There was great character and resiliency by the group," coach Brett Riley said. "They were challenged and responded."
 
Nolan Welsh's goal midway through the third period had pulled the Sharks within a goal.

Meanwhile, Patriks Marcinkevics, a left winger from Riga, Latvia, scored on a penalty shot after getting hooked with a clear path to the net in the first period. He methodically went to the backhand and lifted the puck over Caron's glove side to open the game's scoring on the ensuing penalty shot for his first collegiate goal.

After Brown responded with four unanswered goals, Mason scored in the final minute of the second period, on the Sharks' second five-minute man advantage of the night.

Goaltender Brandon Perrone, who handled the third period for the Sharks in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Bears, started on Sunday and earned the OT win.

"Everyone battled together, and it was a big team win for us," Marcinkevics said.

The Sharks (4-10-1) continue their homestand with games next Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 7:15 p.m. against Franklin Pierce at Northwell Health Ice Center. Tickets are available here.