ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's ice hockey team held on for a 3-2 win over the Rochester Institute of Technology during Atlantic Hockey action in front of 1,572 fans at the Mercyhurst Ice Center on Saturday. With the win, the Lakers moved into fourth place in the AHA and secured the right to host a conference tournament quarterfinal series.

Lester Lancaster, Jonathan Charbonneau and Matthew Whittaker had goals for the Lakers (16-14-4, 14-10-4) while Taylor Best made two assists. Brandon Wildung was the winning goaltender with 33 saves.

Lancaster and Charbonneau helped host Mercyhurst to a 2-0 lead in the first period and the Lakers led the rest of the way from there.

Lancaster scored on the power play, converting a slap-shot through the five-hole of RIT goaltender Christian Short. Lancaster received assists from Best and Derek Barach. Later in the period, Charbonneau took advantage of a Tiger turnover to put in an unassisted goal.

RIT's Mark Logan trimmed the Mercyhurst lead to 2-1 in the second period before Whittaker extended the MU advantage in the third.

With 9:23 remaining in regulation, Whittaker scored with assists from Michael Verboom and Best.

RIT had the game's final goal with 1:05 left as Gabe Valenzuela scored while the Tigers had an extra attacker.

Short finished with 16 saves for RIT (15-13-6, 15-8-5), which outshot Mercyhurst, 35-19. The Tigers were 0-for-3 on the power play while Mercyhurst went 1-for-4.

The Lakers and Tigers will meet again in the AHA Tournament best-of-3 quarterfinals, which Mercyhurst will host Mar. 11-12. An "if necessary" game is slated for Mar. 13.