Erie, Pa. - After a tie in game one of the weekend, the Lakers returned home in hopes of being able to use the advantage from their home crowd to propel them to the win. That did not end up being the case, though, with a trio of goals from the Purple Eagles sinking the Lakers by a final of 3-2.

How it Happened

Mercyhurst got off to a better start with them able to put a pair of goals on the board at the end of the first period. The first came courtesy of Cade Townend. His goal came very quickly as some fans hadn't found their way to the seats yet, giving the Lakers the lead less than two minutes into the game. The team's leader in goals coming into the game, Rylee St. Onge, helped himself keep that lead with the second of the team's two goals.

Townend found himself on the other end of the Laker's goal this time around with him grabbing one of the two assists on St. Onge's goal while Steven Agriogianis got the other. Townend split multiple Niagara defenders before playing the puck back to his captain who went top shelf for goal number five of the year, giving Mercyhurst a two-goal lead going into the first break.

The second period was a reversal of fortunes as the Purple Eagles were able to find their way onto the scoreboard. Much like Mercyhurst's first goal, Niagara didn't need long to get on the board, scoring in the second minute of the middle canto. They then added on with a second goal five minutes later to tie things up at 2-2. The Purple Eagles rounded out their performance in the second period with goal number three at the 10:52 mark of the canto to take their first lead of the game; it was one they would never relinquish as the third period ended up being scoreless.

By the Numbers

Niagara was the more aggressive team in this one with them taking 43 shots compared to the Laker's 22; many of those for the Purple Eagles came in the second period with 23 of their 43 coming in the frame. Niagara also led in the circle, winning 42 of the 64 faceoff opportunities. Owen Say did well for the net for Mercyhurst with 40 saves to his line, moving his save percentage to .891 on the year.

What's Next

Mercyhurst is back home for their next two contests as they are set to host Sacred Heart this upcoming weekend with the two teams set to begin play on Friday, November 4th, at 7:05 while Saturday's puck drop is set for 4:05 p.m.