Dec. 9, 2005

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Sophomore forward Ben Cottreau's seventh goal of the season, just 39 seconds into overtime, gave Mercyhurst a hard-fought 5-4 win over visiting Canisius Friday night before over 1,000 fans at the Ice Center. The Lakers won their third straight and improved to 10-6-0 overall and to 9-2-0 in Atlantic Hockey. The Golden Griffins dropped to 5-9-1 and 3-7-1 respectively. The Lakers came into the contest first in the conference while the Golden Griffins, who lost twice last weekend to second-place Holy Cross, held down the fifth spot.

Mercyhurst scored early when junior forward Kyle Gourgon collected his 8th goal of the season just 2:04 into the game. The goal proved to be the only marker in the first period although Canisius outshot the Lakers 14-9.

The Griffs got even in a five-goal middle frame as senior forward Andrew Dawe tallied his sixth of the year, with the Griffs up a man, at 2:17. Canisius then took its only lead of the game when sophomore Joel Kitchen notched his 5th of the season, an even strength marker, at 11:18. Mercyhurst tied the game when junior defenseman Jamie Hunt scored from senior forward Scott Reynolds at 17:47. It was Hunt's 5th goal of the season. Shortly thereafter, referee Gary Hughes dished out 60 minutes in penalties, including five roughing minors and five misconducts, following a scrum near the Mercyhurst goal. Canisius lost an entire line for 12 minutes while Mercyhurst lost defensive partners Hunt and freshman Kirk Medernach. The melee seemed to ignite the Lakers, who proceeded to recapture the lead on Gourgon's power play goal at 18:44 and an even strength score just 44 seconds later by senior forward Dave Borrelli, his 10th of the season.

But Canisius refused to fold and tied the game in a wild and wooly third period. Dawe rejuvenated Canisius with his second of the game at the tail end of a 5-on-3 power play at 13:17. Less than five minutes later, senior defenseman Brandon Irish-Baker got the Golden Griffins all even with his 4th of the year at 17:52.

But Cottreau ended the thriller quickly in the extra session, deflecting defenseman Denis Kirstein's blast behind Canisius junior goaltender Max Buetow. Buetow made 26 saves in dropping to 1-5-1. Mercyhurst junior Mike Ella won his third straight start, all in the conference, and improved to 6-3-0. Junior forward Scott Champagne extended his program-record scoring streak to 35 games with a pair of assists.

Mercyhurst, which brought Division I's #1-ranked offense (4.67) into the game, needed all of that in subduing the pesky Griffs. The Mercyhurst power play, third best in the country at 24.8%, finished 1 of 5. Canisius cashed two power play goals in seven attempts.

The two teams will finish the weekend set in Buffalo Saturday night.