Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team returned home for the first time in 2022 on Friday night. The Lakers hosted the Air Force Falcons, the Lakers fell 5-2.
How it Happened
The Lakers and Falcons opened the scoring early on in the contest. Air Force took the lead just 4:28 into the opening frame on just their second shot of the game.
Mercyhurst answered less then a minute later as Gueorgui Feduolov was the beneficiary of a beautiful feed from Jake Beaune. Austin Heidemann also earned his ninth assist of the season on the play.
The Falcons netted a power play goal at 10:41 mark of the frame and then 17 seconds later netted their third goal of the period off a faceoff shot.
Mercyhurst went to the locker room being outshot 21-8, Kyle McClellan made 18 saves in the first 20 minutes of the game.
Mercyhurst was awarded a 5-3 power play at the 3:33 mark of the middle frame. The Lakers generated just one shot on goal during the two-man advantage.
Despite both teams having chances in the middle frame both goalies were perfect. Air Force goalie Alex Schilling made eight saves while McClellan made nine saves in the period. Through 40 minutes the Lakers netminder had 27 saves while the Lakers generated 16 shots.
Just before the halfway mark of the third period, Rylee St. Onge took a cross ice pass from Carson Briere and one timed a shot pasted the netminder.
Air Force put the game on ice with a goal at the 10:47 mark and then once again at the 18:39 mark with an empty netter.
McClellan made 40 saves, it is his third game this season with 40 plus saves. He has also made 35 plus saves in seven games.
Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers did not convert on their five power plays, while generating just three shots on goal. Air Force scored once on eight attempts while having 17 shots on goal.
Captain Kitt
Coach's Corner
Up Next
The Lakers close out the weekend series against Air Force before heading to Niagara for a two game series.
