ERIE, Pa. -- The Mercyhurst men's hockey team dropped a 7-2 decision to visiting No. 15 Ohio State Friday night in the opener of a two-game series inside the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
The teams played to a scoreless draw after one period, but late in the second period the Lakers found themselves in penalty trouble and the Buckeyes capitalized scoring on a 5-on-3 at the 15:30 mark to grab a 1-0 edge on a Wyatt Ege goal. Carson Meyer scored just 13 seconds later still on the power play to make it 2-0.
Grant Gariele extended the advantage with a goal at the 17:15 mark of the second. Cade Townend got Mercyhurst on the board with a blast from the point to trim the lead to 3-1 with 1:03 to play in the second. Ege scored his second of the game with three seconds left in the second to give Ohio State a 4-1 lead at the break.
Steven Ipri cut the lead to 4-2 with his unassisted power play tally just 41 seconds into the third, but 54 seconds later Gustaf Westlund scored on the man advantage to push the lead back to 5-2. Ege and Westlund would each score one more in the third to set the final.
Ipri led the Lakers with a pair of points on a goal and an assist. Dalton Hunter also picked up a point for the Lakers with a helper.
Garrett Metcalf took the loss in net making 21 saves. Steffano Cantali made eight stops in relief.
The Lakers and Buckeyes close out the series on Saturday at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m. Limited tickets are still available here or 90 minutes prior to puck drop at the Ice Center.
