Erie, PA—In the regular season finale the Lakers were able to win their 10th game of the season. The Lakers received goals from Alexa Vasko, Sarah Nelles and Emily Pinto while Ena Nystrøm made 27 saves for her 5th win of the season.
BYE-BYE Regular Season
With the results of today's games between Robert Morris and Syracuse, and the Mercyhurst overtime victory over Penn State. The Lakers were able clinch the second seed in the CHA Tournament this upcoming week in Erie. Mercyhurst will have a first round bye and the face the second lowest remaining seed in their first CHA game on Friday at 7:30 at the Erie Insurance Arena.
How it Happened
After falling to the Nittany Lions last night the Lakers were able to jump out to a 1-0 lead just a minute into the game. After Penn State turned the puck over, Jordan Mortlock was able to collect puck off of Sara Boucher's skate, Mortlock fed it to Vasko, Vasko was able to weave her way through the defenders and took a shot. Her first shot was saved but she would not be denied as she was able to tap in her rebound for her fourth goal of the season.
The Lakers weren't done in the opening frame, Nelles was able to get her second goal of the season. Emily Pinto was able to steal the puck from the Penn State defender, deke past another one and finally pass the puck to Nelles, she made no mistake and beat the Penn State goalie to extend the lead to two.
Mercyhurst went to the locker room after the first period with a lead for the eighth time this season and were 6-1-0 in games in which they lead after the first period. Ena Nystrøm was back in net for the Lakers and was able to stop all eight shots she saw in the first period.
In the second period, the Nittany Lions were able to get on the board as they were able to solve Nystrøm. The Lakers were not able to put the puck in the net during the second period. Mercyhurst was able to outshoot the Nittany Lions 10-8 in the second period and 19-16 through two periods.
In third period the Nittany Lions were able to tie the game just 5:38 into the period. After the teams couldn't solve each other's netminders the game went to overtime. In the third period, the Lakers were outshot 12-8 in the third period and 28-27 in regulation.
In the extra frame, despite the Nittany Lions having multiple chances the Lakers stayed strong and played great defense. With 1:36 remaining the game, at the end of her shift Pinto picked up the puck and went one on one with Josie Bothun, and Pinto won. Pinto was able to deke Bothun and secure the win for the Lakers.
Battle of Special Teams
Penn State was unsuccessful on their lone powerplay of the afternoon, while Mercyhurst could not score on any of their three opportunities while generating three powerplay shots.
Up Next
The regular season has now concluded, and the CHA Tournament will start on March 4th in Erie at Erie Insurance Arena. The Lakers opponent is yet to be determined but they will play at 7:30 on Friday, March 5th.
