Minneapolis, MN—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team once again competed with the No. 4 Minnesota Golden Gophers but fell 5-3.
How it Happened
The Lakers jumped out to an early lead as Jonathan Bendorf scored just 1:41 into the opening frame. Dante Sheriff and Austin Heidemann each picked up points as the Lakers took the quick 1-0 lead.
Mercyhurst scored the second goal of the game just before the midpoint of the opening 20 minutes. Hiedemann picked up his first goal of the season as Sheriff tallied his second assist of the game.
Minnesota got one back with just over two minutes remaining in the first period.
After 20 minutes of play the Lakers were outshot 18-5.
The Golden Gophers knotted the game at two just 1:46 into the middle frame.
Three minutes later at the 4:46 mark Carson Briere scored to give the Lakers the 3-2 lead. Wyatt Head picked up his first point as a Laker as he earned an assist.
The Laker entered the third period with a one goal lead despite generating just 11 shots through 40 minutes of play.
Minnesota once again tied the game at the 3:50 mark of the third, they took the lead at the 5:04 mark. The Golden Gophers closed the game with one final goal at the 14:13 mark of the third.
Kyle McClellan made 37 saves which is a new career high. Last season he made 36 saves against Canisius in a 3-1 loss.
The Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers allowed just two power plays, however the Golden Gophers flexed their muscle and scored on each of them while generating three shots.
Mercyhurst once again scored a power-play goal as they went one for four and generated four shots.
How About Those Sophomores?!
The trio of Sheriff, Briere, and Hiedemann are picking up where they left off last season. Sheriff leads the team in points (1g, 3a), Briere leads the team in goals (2g), and Hiedemann is tied with Briere with three points which is second on the team.
Up Next
The Lakers come home for their home opener and their opening Atlantic Hockey weekend against Holy Cross next Friday and Saturday at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
