Erie, Pa. — The Mercyhurst Men's Ice hockey team took Robert Morris all the way in a thrilling, fast-paced game that was inevitably decided by a shootout after a 3-3 stalemate at the end of overtime. Goalie Owen Say would come up big and play the hero, blocking all three of the shots he faced in the shootout on top of another solid performance in the net for the second week in a row.
How It Happened
It was an immediate high energy start to the game, with a rejuvenated RMU Hockey program looking to announce themselves. A trio of former Lakers in Paul Maust, Rylee St. Onge, and Cade Townend all got the start in their first seasons after departing Erie. The defensive effort Mercyhurst put into the game was massive, and it started in first period as Owen Say set the tone with 16 saves along with 4 blocks from Philip Waugh and 3 from Jake Beaune.
The Lakers got on the board first as captain Marko Reifenberger netted his second of the season, with Dustin Geregach getting it to Tommy Bannister, who played it off in front of goal for Marko to make a tumbling shot for a 1-0 lead. The Colonials would capitalize on a power play to even it at 1-1 with just over three minutes left in the period.
Mercyhurst put on the pressure in the second period getting off 17 shots with 8 on target, but Robert Morris would be the ones to capitalize halfway through the period. Logan Gaine put one home to give him two on the season for RMU already. The Lakers would go into the third period down 2-1.
The third period was full of back and forth action. It started with former Laker Cade Townend scoring on a power play, furthering the Colonials lead to 3-1. Just as it seemed the game would be getting away from Mercyhurst, the boys dug their heels deep into the ice to turn the game on its head. Only three minutes after Townend's goal, Keanan Stewart pulled one back off a deflected shot by Garrett Dahm, who gets an assist along with Dustin Geregach for his second on the night. It would then be the Lakers turn to score on a power play, this time Philip Waugh fired it in with help from Dahm and Adrien Bisson, with the score suddenly being a 3-3 tie.
It was end-to-end action to close out regulation play with both teams getting big blocks to keep it level. Then it was time for overtime. Overtime saw a 3v3 matchup change to a 4v3 in favor of the Colonials due to penalties halfway through, but the defense prevailed the sustained attack with huge saves from Say and two big blocks from Beaune to send it to the shootout.
Zach Walter came up first for RMU, but couldn't get it past the pads of the fortress that was Owen Say tonight. Steven Agriogianis stepped up first for Mercyhurst and looked calm on the finish as it sailed past the Robert Morris keeper. The next shooter was a matchup between former team mates St. Onge and Say, as the sophomore goalie bested the graduate captain. The next two shooters would both miss, solidifying the 1-0 shootout victory.
Highlights
Philip Waugh and Marko Reifenberger both scored their second goals of the season. Keanan Stewart scores his first of campaign.
Dustin Geregach and Garrett Dahm both picked up their first two assists of the season. Adrien Bisson (first) and Tommy Bannister (second) both picked up an assist on the night.
Philip Waugh had five blocks on the night, Jake Beaune had eight blocks.
Owen Say adds 42 saves to his season for a save percentage of 93.3%.
Scoring Summary
P1: 15:55 - Marko Reifenberger from Tommy Bannister and Dustin Geregach
P3: 7:30 - Keanan Stewart from Garrett Dahm and Dustin Geregach
P3: 14:09 - Philip Waugh from Adrien Bisson and Garrett Dahm
Next Up
The Lakers hit the road for the first time as they head to Niagara Falls, N.Y. to face Niagara University on Saturday, October 21st at 7:00 PM.
