Minneapolis, MN—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team opened the regular season with a matchup with No.4 Minnesota. The Lakers held their own against one of the top teams in the nation but ultimately fell 7-4.
How it Happened
The Golden Gophers jumped out to an early lead just 8:44 into to the opening period. Minnesota made it 2-0 with under two minutes remaining in the opening frame. Both goals were power-play goals for the Gophers.
Almost halfway through the middle frame, Carson Briere cut the lead in half with his first goal of the year. Dante Sheriff and Austin Heidemann earned assists on the play.
With just under five minutes remaining in the middle frame the Lakers tied the game. Briere and Sheriff switched roles on this play as Sheriff knotted the game at two. Briere and Jonathan Bendorf were credited with assists.
At the 18:20 mark of the second period, Minnesota regained its lead, the Lakers headed to the locker down just one despite getting outshot 30-13 through the opening 40 minutes.
Minnesota took the two goal lead once again just 2:33 into the third period.
Rylee St. Onge scored to make it a one goal game with just over 16 minutes remaining in the final frame, Pierce Crawford picked up his first point as Laker on the play with an assist while Steven Ipri also earned an apple.
The Golden Gophers scored twice more to make it a three-goal game with just over 10 minutes left in the third.
Cade Townend scored the fourth Laker goal as Mickey Burns also picked up his first point as a Laker. The comeback came up short however as Minnesota added their seventh goal with just 10 seconds remaining.
Hank Johnson started in net for the Lakers and made 39 saves in the losing effort.
Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers went 1-2 on the power play with their only shot with the man-advantage finding the back of the net.
Minnesota generated 11 shots on their five power plays and scored twice.
Up Next
The Lakers close out their non-conference series with Minnesota tomorrow with puck drop scheduled for 6:00 PM EST.
