Buffalo, N.Y.—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team took the 80 mile trip to Buffalo to close out their weekend home and home series with the Canisius Golden Griffins. On Saturday night they bounced back from a 6-1 loss to defeat the Griffins 5-2.
How it Happened
The Lakers and Griffins played a back and forth opening period. With just over two minutes remaining in the period, and the Lakers on the power play, Mickey Burns scored his second goal of the season to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Noah Kane and Pierce Crawford picked up assists on the Lakers tenth power-play goal of the season.
Canisius outshot the Lakers 12-10 in the opening frame.
The second period was similar to the first and just like the opening period the Lakers scored late in the period to take the two goal lead. At the 15:59 mark of the period, with the Lakers on the power play, Crawford was below the goal line and threw it to the front of the net. After banking off a couple Griffins the puck made its way past the goalie. Marko Reifenberger and Cade Townend earned assists on the second Mercyhurst power-play goal of the game.
In the second period Mercyhurst generated 13 shots while goaltender Kyle McClellan made 15 saves.
Unlike the first two periods, Mercyhurst scored just 2:29 into the final frame and Kyler Head scored his first goal as a Laker. Kane picked up his second assist of the night and Dante Spagnuolo notched his first point of the season.
Mercyhurst made their lead four at the 11:11 mark of the third as Gueorgi Feduolov tipped in a point shot from Owen Norton. Norton took the pass from Townend who picked up his second assist of the game on the Lakers third power-play goal of the game.
Canisius scored at the 15:19 mark of the third as the Lakers were killing off a five minute kneeing penalty. The Golden Griffins added a second power-play goal at the 16:30 mark to make it 4-2.
With the Griffins net empty, Rylee St. Onge scored an empty netter to close out the game with two minutes remaining.
McClellan made 38 saves in his first win of the season.
Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers entered the weekend with the 17th best power play in the country. On Saturday they scored three times on six attempts while tallying 16 shots.
Canisius scored twice on their eight attempts, both of which on the five-minute major penalty.
Kyler Lead Us Off!
Mr. McClellan, Your Turn!
Coach Close Us Out!
Up Next
The Lakers hit the road for a non-conference series with Ohio State. Mercyhurst plays Friday and Saturday night in Columbus.
