Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst men's hockey team battled back from two three-goal deficits, slicing the margin to one goal at 5-4 during the middle of the third period before an empty net goal sealed a 6-4 Canisius victory Friday, Nov. 6 at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The Lakers fall to 2-6-1 on the season, including 2-2-1 in AHA action, while the Golden Griffins improve to 3-6-0, 2-3 in conference play.

Canisius held a 4-2 lead entering the third period, and added a fifth tally 3:02 into the period, as Peter MacDougall lit the lamp for a 5-2 Canisius lead.

The Lakers fought back after Canisius' fifth goal, scoring two power play goals in a 1:13 span midway through the period to pull within one at 5-4. During a man advantage, Paul Chiasson recorded his second point of the night with a marker at the 8:14 mark.

Shortly following Chiasson's tally, Cody Collins tallied on another power play at 9:27 of the third period. Collins' second goal of the season brought the Lakers to within one goal at 5-4 with over 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

Mercyhurst pulled goalie Ryan Zapolski for an extra attacker with just over a minute left. Canisius' Josh Heidinger scored into the vacated net, his second goal of the night, at 19:37 of the third, and the Golden Griffins finished off a 6-4 road victory.

The Lakers outshot Canisius 14-8 during the third period, but the visitors held a 36-31 edge in shots on goal for the game.

Zapolski made 30 saves in the loss, while Canisius' Andrew Loewen stopped 27 shots.

Canisius stormed out to a 3-0 lead 12 minutes into the game, as Heidinger, Dave Kostuch and David Cianfrini all found the back of the net. Late in the first period, Scott Pitt pounced on the rebound of a Chiasson shot, firing a shot past the fallen goalie for Mercyhurst's first goal of the game.

Steve Cameron drew the Lakers to within one goal just 35 second into the second, beating Loewen short side for his fifth goal of the season. Kostuch scored his second goal of the game midway through the second period for a 4-2 Canisius advantage.

Mercyhurst and Canisius both went 2-for-5 on the power play. Friday marked the second game in a row in which the Lakers scored twice with the extra man.

Brandon Coccimiglio earned an assist on Chiasson's goal, giving him at least one point in each of the last six games, the longest point-scoring streak since Scott Pitt recorded at least one point in seven straight, from Nov. 15 through Dec. 6, 2008.

The Lakers and Golden Griffins will face off again Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:05 p.m. at the Buffalo Sports Arena, completing the first home-and-home series of the season.