Box Score NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team rallied in the third period to tie Niagara 4-4,  but ended up falling in the series opener via shootout on the road Friday night.
 
How it Happened
 
Niagara was the first to strike in game one of the home and home series. They found the back of the net at the 9:23 mark in the first and added one more just over two minutes later giving them a 2-0 lead.

Mercyhurst earned a powerplay but couldn't convert to finish the first period down by two. The Purple Eagles outshot the Lakers 22-12 in the first. 
 
Again, the Niagara offense was off to a quick start scoring at the 1:08 mark in period two. The Purple Eagles took a four-goal lead as they scored shorthanded. The Mercyhurst offense found their stride at the end of the second frame. Kyler Head scored at the 16:31 mark followed 24 seconds later by Marko Reifenberger to cut the Laker deficit in half. 
 
 
The Lakers stayed in stride in the third as Mickey Burns scored just over five minutes in. Captain Rylee St. Onge squared things at four with 11 minutes remaining; however, three periods weren't enough to declare a winner.
 
 
Niagara dominated the overtime period as they took the first five shots on net. With a minute left in overtime, the Lakers were gifted a great opportunity as Niagara was called for having too many men on the ice; however, Mercyhurst could not convert sending the game to a shootout. 
 
After the first shooters for both teams couldn't find the back of the net, Niagara's second shooter scored but was quickly answered by Steven Agriogianis to tie the shootout at 1-1. Niagara responded by once again scoring while the Lakers came up empty handed to lose the shootout 2-1. 
 
By the Numbers
 
The Lakers outshot Niagara 34-30 on the evening with the Purple Eagles leading the faceoff total 31-27. Both teams were scoreless on the powerplay with the Lakers going 0-for-4 and Niagara 0-for-2. Matt Lenz came on in relief of Owen Say in net, as the goalie tandem posted 19 and seven saves respectively.

The teams go at it again tomorrow night with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 p.m.