Burlington, Vt.—The Mercyhurst Men's Ice Hockey team was back on the ice for an exhibition game on Saturday night. The Lakers fell to Vermont 4-2.

Mercyhurst jumped out to an early lead as Paul Maust found a loose puck in front of the net and put it past the keeper. Noah Kane and Geoff Kitt picked up assists after the Lakers won the faceoff and put the puck towards the net. Maust was in the right spot and gave the Lakers the lead.

After the opening period the Lakers were up 1-0 and outshot the Catamounts 8-7 in the opening 20.

6:34 into the second frame the Lakers extended their lead. Philip Waugh scored to make it 2-0, Michael Bevilacqua picked up the loan assist on the play.

Midway through the middle frame the Lakers switched goalies. Hank Johnson got the start and made nine saves on nine shots in just over 28 minutes of action. Kyle McClellan went on to make six saves in just under 32 minutes.

With just 5:58 remaining the second, Vermont mounted a comeback. The Catamounts finally solved the Laker netminders to cut their lead in half. In the second period the Lakers outshot Vermont 11-5.

Vermont tied the game at the 16:01 mark of the third period and took the lead at the 17:52 mark thanks to a shorthanded goal. The Lakers pulled their goalie with just over a minute remaining and the Catamounts scored the empty netter with 53 seconds left.

The Lakers outshot Vermont 27-19 and wont 24 of the 47 faceoffs in the game. Mercyhurst blocked six shots with Dante Sheriff blocking two, Waugh blocking two, Maust and Kane each blocked one.

The Lakers open the regular season next week on the road against No. 4 Minnesota. Friday's game is set for 8 PM EST and Saturday puckdrop is slated for 6 PM EST.