SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Mercyhurst College men's hockey team scored five goals in the final eight minutes of play to win its third-straight game and defeat American International, 8-2, on Friday evening in Springfield, Mass. With the win, the Lakers improve to 5-9-1 on the season and 5-5-1 in conference play while the Yellow Jackets fall to 2-9-1 overall and 2-7-1 in AHA action.

Mercyhurst dealt the Yellow Jackets their third-straight loss when junior Brandon Coccimiglio started the rout with his first of two goals on the power play at 12:23. After his second that made it a 5-2 game at 13:20, junior Steve Cameron found the back of the net to increase the advantage to 6-2 at 17:16. Junior Jesse Echternach then followed suit with his first collegiate goal at 17:50, before sophomore Patrick Goebel closed out the game with another extra-man marker at 19:01.

The five goals were the most scored in a period since the Lakers scored six in the second period against AIC on Dec. 6, 2008.

Despite the large third-period outburst, Mercyhurst only led 1-0 after the first and 3-1 after the second. Senior Cody Collins accounted for the team's only goal of the opening frame when he scored on the power play at 12:38. Freshman Grant Blakey opened the second with his third of the season at the 5:30 mark while sophomore Derek Elliott tickled the twine with the eventual game-winner just 21 seconds later at 5:51.

AIC got on the board with back-to-back goals at 9:47 of the second and 2:49 of the third.

Mercyhurst did most of its damage on the power play with the team converting a season-best 3-of-5 opportunities. The penalty kill also played a large role as the Lakers held the Yellow Jackets scoreless on three attempts.

Junior Ryan Zapolski stopped 33 shots to improve to 5-8-1 on the season. AIC outshot Mercyhurst 35-31.

Both teams close out the two-game series on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 7:05 p.m. in Springfield, Mass.