Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey could not complete a comeback as they fell to Air Force for the second straight day by a score of 5-3.
How it Happened
The Lakers were on the penalty kill six times in the opening period. Air Force took advantage twice and went into the locker room up 2-0 and outshooting the Lakers 16-4.
The middle frame was a track meet for both teams. Air Force scored the first goal of the period 23 seconds into the second period.
16 seconds later Devon Daniels scored his second goal of the season as his shot found its way through traffic. The Lakers were on the board as Austin Heidemann picked up his 11th assist of the season.
The third goal of the period was scored by Heidemann at the 53 second mark. Dante Sheriff and Carson Briere picked up assists as Heidemann netted his team high tenth goal.
Air Force answered back at the 2:48 mark of the period to make it 4-2 just under three minutes into the second period.
After the teams took a break from scoring, Kyler Head wound up and took a slapshot from the left faceoff dot and it beat the goalie clean. Jonathan Bendorf picked up his 11th assist on the odd-man rush tally.
The Lakers were trailed by one going into the third period despite being outshot 29-16. Kyle McClellan made 25 saves through 40 minutes of play.
Air Force scored the lone goal of the third period at the 17:38 mark to close out the game.
McClellan made 33 saves in a losing effort, it was his ninth game with 30 or more saves in his 12 appearances.
Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers killed off five of eight Air Force power plays while they couldn't connect on any of their three power play opportunities.
What They Are Saying
Up Next
The Lakers make the short trip to Niagara to take on the Purple Eagles next Friday and Saturday night.
