EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — The LIU and Lindenwood men's hockey teams have similar profiles, both independents that play challenging schedules.

No wonder the meeting between the clubs went down to the wire.

LIU ultimately prevailed, 3-2, in overtime on Patriks Marcinkevics' goal with 45.1 seconds remaining.

Marcinkevics went end to end for the score.

"I got the puck and I did what I had to," said Marcikevics, a freshman from Riga, Latvia, who scored his second career goal.

The Sharks had killed a 4-on-3 advantage for Lindenwood for the opening minute of the extra session.

Marcinkevics had been the Hockey Commissioners Association Rookie of Month for December after producing an NCAA-leading 11 assists for the month.

Another freshmen also played a pivotal role in the victory on Friday.

Freshman left winger Josh Zary had redirected a backhand in front off a shot from Preston Brodziak with 6:46 remaining in regulation to even the score at 2.

The Sharks similarly had overcome a one-goal deficit late in the first period on a goal from Adam Goodsir.

Making his seventh appearance of the season, goaltender Brandon Perrone made 27 saves for the Sharks.

The teams complete the two-game series on Saturday at 8 p.m. at Northwell Health Ice Center.