Erie, PA—In what was their first meeting since March 7th, 2020, in the CHA Final, Robert Morris and Mercyhurst once again went into overtime. However, this time no one was able to come out on top. The Lakers and Colonials skated to a 2-2 tie.
How it Happened
Despite controlling play the first five minutes of play the Lakers were not able to get on the scoreboard. It was Robert Morris who would strike first. With just under 10 minutes left in the third and the Lakers on the penalty kill, the Lakers gave up their first powerplay goal of the season after a mad scramble in front of goaltender Jenna Silvonen, Emilie Harley was able to beat the Mercyhurst sophomore to make it 1-0 Robert Morris. Despite outshooting the Colonials 10-9 in the first the Lakers headed to locker down one.
Just 39 seconds into the second period the Colonials were able to get a lucky bounce as Lexi Templeman forced a turnover in the neutral zone, walked into the slot and she shot the puck Mercyhurst's Jersey Phillips blocked it and it floated over Silvonen's head. The Lakers would be able to keep Robert Morris off the scoreboard the rest of the night, but they had a 2-0 hole to climb out of.
They Lakers would be able to bring it to a one goal game after Megan Korzack turned on the jets down the left side wall. Korzack was able to beat the Robert Morris defender and shielded the puck from another Colonial and tucking the puck between the legs of the Robert Morris goaltender as she was falling to the ice. The Lakers once again outshot Robert Morris 10-9 but they headed back to the locker still down one after two periods play.
Mercyhurst stepped onto the ice knowing they needed to win the third period. After many chances by both teams and huge saves by Silvonen and Colonial goaltender Raygan Kirk. The Lakers were finally able to net their second of the night as Rachel Marmen took the cross ice pass from Alexandria Weiss and threw the puck towards the net, captain Alexa Vasko was able to get a stick on it and deflect it past Kirk to tie the game at two with just over three minutes left to play in regulation.
At the 18:41 mark of the third period Robert Morris' Wasyn Rice committed a penalty that was originally was called a two-minute minor penalty. However, after the officials reviewed it, it was deemed to be a major penalty and a game misconduct. The Lakers were going on the powerplay for the next five minutes. As regulation ended, once again the Lakers outshot the Colonials 10-9 and overall outshooting them in regulation 30-27.
In the 3-3 overtime which was a 4-3 powerplay for the Lakers for most of the five minutes, neither team was able to beat the goalie. The Lakers outshot the Colonials 6-1 in the overtime period and 36-28 for the game.
Special Teams
Coming into this weekend, Mercyhurst was one of two teams to not allow a powerplay goal. Unfortunately, the streak of killing off 19 straight powerplays ended on their 20th attempt. The Lakers currently sit a 95.5 percent on the penalty kill while sitting at 11.1 percent on the powerplay.
Still on Top
Sophomore Jenna Silvonen once again shined in the Laker crease as she still sits alone at the top in CHA Goals Against Average (0.98), Save Percentage (.955) and winning percentage (.875)
Up Next
The Lakers and Colonials will finish off the weekend home and home series tomorrow in Moon Township, PA. The Lakers will then take on Penn State at State College on January 23rd and 24th after having to postpone their series with Lindenwood due to COVID-19 protocols at Lindenwood.
