Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team bounced back from a 5-1 loss last night to AIC, the Lakers defeated the Yellow Jackets 6-3.
How it Happened
Despite the final score the Lakers allowed the first two goals of the game at the 7:05 mark and 11:33 mark.
It was the captain Pierce Crawford who stepped up for the Laker as he scored two goals in the span of 16 seconds, the first of the two goals was less than 30 seconds after the AIC made their lead two. Mickey Burns and Rylee St. Onge notched assists on the play.
The second goal was a quick developing play started by Michael Bevilacqua who played the puck back into the AIC end. Rylee St. Onge fed the puck to Crawford who beat the netminder five hole to tie the game.
At the end of the opening period the team's were tied despite the Lakers being outshot 16-9.
The Lakers opened the middle frame with a goal at the 7:11 mark. Jake Beaune walked in and took a wicked wrister that beat the goalie for his first career goal. Dante Sheriff and Carson Briere picked assists on the play, it was Sheriff's team leading 16th assist of the season.
AIC tied the game at the 10:46 mark of the middle frame. The Lakers took the lead back at the 17:57 mark of the third period. Marko Reifenberger scored his second goal of the weekend as Jonathan Bendorf and Gueorgui Feduolov earned assists on the play.
The second period ended and the Lakers were leading 4-3 and Kyle McClellan had 25 saves.
In the final frame the Lakers extended their lead at the 10:55 mark as Geoff Kitt took a pass from Dustin Geregach. Kitt used the AIC defender as a screen and beat the netminder with a wicked wrister.
Sheriff put the game on ice as he scored the team's 26th power-play goal of the year at the 13:46 mark. Josh McDougall and Cade Townend picked up power play points on the play.
McClellan finished the game with 40 saves for the seventh time this season.
Battle of Special Teams
The Lakers went 1-2 on the power play and scored on one of their three shots. The Mercyhurst penalty kill allowed a goal on their lone penalty kill attempt.
Hey Jake, How'd Number One Feel?
Marko?
POLO!
Coach, Thoughts?
Playoff Picture
The Lakers earned three points this weekend and currently sit in ninth place. The Lakers are just two points from eighth and three points from seventh. Mercyhurst has the opportunity to earn six more points next weekend as they close the regular season out with a home and home series with Canisius.
