Erie, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey secured a first round home playoff series and won their fourth game in the last five games.
How it Happened
The Lakers started the night by honoring their nine seniors, it was one of their seniors made the first big play for the Lakers. At the 16:29 mark, Michael Bevilacqua blocked a shot and it transitioned to Jonathan Bendorf made an amazing saucer pass to Marko Reifenberger who ripped a one-timer into the back into the net.
The Golden Griffins could not respond in the opening period, shots were tied at 11 after 20 minutes of play.
Canisius scored just 3:14 into the second period to tie the game at one.
After 13 minutes of back and forth play the Lakers took their lead back after the Lakers found the puck in a scrum. Gueorgui Feduolov played the puck behind the net and Bendorf picked it up and fed it out front and Rylee St. Onge put just enough juice on it to get it into the net.
After two periods the Lakers were up 2-1 and outshooting the Griffs 23-19.
Just over a minute a minute into the period, Dante Sheriff scored on a break-a-way to make it 3-1. Carson Briere and Austin Heidemann picked up assists on the play.
The Lakers shutdown the Golden Griffins for the rest of the game.
Kyle McClellan needed to make just 23 saves to earn his seventh win of the season.
What They Are Saying
PLAYOFF TIME
With the win, the Lakers clinched home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers will host the Holy Cross Crusaders in the first round. The first round consists a best of three game series, game one will March 4th at 7:05 PM.
Mercyhurst faced Holy Cross four times this season, the Lakers went 2-1-1 with a shootout win and a overtime loss.
