Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team completed their first sweep of the season by defeated RIT 4-2 on their home ice.
How it Happened
The Tigers controlled play for the first couple minutes, but the Lakers needed just two shots to get on the board. Dante Sheriff made a cross ice pass to Cade Townend who passed it up ice to Carson Briere. Briere made a beautiful toe drag and made a backhand pass to Rylee St. Onge who one-timed it into the open net.
After the first, Kyle McClellan had 18 saves in his 17th start of the year.
Mercyhurst got out to a quick start in the middle frame as Briere gloved one out of the air and deked around the goalie to make it 2-0. Sheriff picked up his team leading 15th assist of the season. Austin Heidemann also picked up an assist on the play, he has a team leading 24 points.
With 10 seconds remaining in the period, Townend took it himself and wrapped it around the net and made the Lakers lead three. Devon Daniels and Pierce Crawford picked up assists on Townend's second goal of the weekend and sixth of the season.
The Lakers went to the locker roomer up 3-0 despite being outshot 28-25.
At the 3:23 mark of the third period, St. Onge netted his second of the night on a one-time. The power-play goal was the 25th power play tally of the year and St. Onge's 10th of the year. Briere and Crawford earned assists on the play.
Just over a minute later, the Tigers finally figured out McClellan for the first time this weekend to make it 4-1.
With 48 seconds left the Tigers scored their second of the weekend on scramble in front.
BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK?!
McClellan entered the weekend after being named Atlantic Hockey Goalie of the Week twice in a row. This weekend McClellan allowed just two goals while having 42 saves tonight and making a 34 save shutout last night.
The Manchester, Mo. native has a .925 save percentage and a 2.97 goals against average this season, his .925 save percentage is third in the conference.
Playoff Picture
The Lakers earned six points this weekend and entered the weekend in ninth place of the conference. With the six points, Mercyhurst still sits in ninth place but is just eight points from third place in the conference. At this point in time, the Lakers can finish anywhere but first with 12 points on the table, they are 10 points out of second.
The top six teams receive a bye this year while the bottom four teams play a three-game series at the seven and eight seeds.
Beyond the Box
The Lakers improved to 6-6-2 when scoring first and they are now 8-2-1 after leading at the second intermission.
Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers gave RIT just one power play and killed off allowing just two shots. Mercyhurst's power play generated seven shots and scored once on four attempts.
Hear From The Players
Coach Close Out The Weekend
Up Next
The Lakers remain at home for next weekend as they will host AIC who sits in the top spot of Atlantic Hockey.
