Complete Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Wednesday night marked the return of four former Mercyhurst women's hockey players, two of whom provided major contributions for the Lakers over the past four years. Vicki Bendus and Jesse Scanzano made a triumphant return, each providing an offensive spark in helping the Brampton Thunder get past the Lakers 3-1 in the final exhibition game of the season for Mercyhurst.

Also returning to Mercyhurst was former Laker defenseman Ashley Pendleton, who played from 2003-2007, and forward Courtney Unruh, who played one season during the 2005-06 campaign.

Scanzano and Bendus each had second period goals in lifting a Brampton team that was loaded with former Olympians and Canadian National Team members.

The game remained scoreless until the 15:48 mark of the first period when one of the biggest names in the sport, Jayna Hefford, beat Mercyhurst starter Hillary Pattenden on a rebound. Hefford is a four-time Olympian, winning a silver medal at the 1998 Games in Nagano, and then winning gold in Salt Lake City (2002), Torino (2006), and Vancouver (2010). Gillian Apps and Bendus had the assists on the goal.

Mercyhurst outshot Brampton 15-13 in the opening twenty minutes.

The second period, however, belonged to Brampton, thanks in entirety to Scanzano and Bendus. Scanzano scored what proved to be the game-winner at the 7:57 mark with hard work in front of the Mercyhurst net. Hefford and Apps had the assists.

Less than a minute later, at 8:52, Mercyhurst defender Molly Byrne was whistled for a tripping penalty on a Brampton player going in for a potential breakaway. A penalty shot was awarded and Bendus made the Lakers pay, scoring a highlight reel goal to give Brampton a 3-0 advantage. Bendus made a couple of dekes on Pattenden, then went to her backhand and somehow tucked it just under the crossbar.

Brampton held an 18-8 shot advantage in period two.

Mercyhurst would end the shutout bid by Brampton goaltender Liz Knox, as senior Bailey Bram scored a power play goal with just 1:22 left in the game. Senior Kelley Steadman had the assist on the Lakers' lone goal of the night. The Lakers would outshoot Brampton 14-9 in the third period.

The Lakers hung tough all night against the Thunder, a team that featured seven players who have either played in the Olympics or been on national teams. Other than Hefford, Apps is a two-time Olympian, winning gold in both 2006 and 2010, while Tessa Bonhomme also was a member of the gold-medal winning 2010 team at the Vancouver Games.

Mercyhurst was outshot 40-37 for the game, with Mercyhurst converting the only power play on the night (1-of-6). Pattenden stopped 28-of-31 shots in two periods of play, while junior Stephanie Ciampa played the final period and made nine saves. Knox stopped 36-of-37 Mercyhurst shots in the win.

The Lakers are now off until Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 as Mercyhurst returns home to take on the Bulldogs of Yale University. Due to the men's team being home that weekend as well, Friday's (11/18) game will start at 3 p.m., with Saturday's (11/19) start time at the normal 2 p.m. time.