Rochester, N.Y. — Game one on the weekend series against RIT saw Mercyhurst come up short by a 5-2 scoreline. The top ranked Tigers team in the AHA preseason poll, showed why they placed there to start season, despite a strong effort from the Lakers.
How It Happened
RIT was able to strike early in the first period on the close of a Mercyhurst power play. The penalty ended and the Tigers pulled an unconventional move of taking the keeper out to give them an extra skater on the ice, allowing them to march to the net for Gianfranco Cassaro to score on a second attempted shot. The Lakers were able to finish the period with a penalty kill and 12 saves from goalie Owen Say, but went into the second down 1-0.
The Lakers pulled the game back quickly to start the second period. Marko Reifenberger and Keanan Stewart broke away across the ice before linking up with Tommy Bannister, who slotted it in to make it a 1-1 tie. Not soon after, the Tigers saw blood and poured on 3 goals in five minutes soon after to swiftly make it a 4-1 deficit for Mercyhurst. Matthew Wilde, Elijah Gonsalves, and Tyler Mahan were the goal scorers for RIT. Freshman goalie Simon Bucheler then came into goal to close out the period, but not before RIT added one more onto their lead with three minutes left, this time through Crossley Stewart.
It was a similar start to the third period as the second for Mercyhurst. This time Boris Skalos would pick up the goal on a nice flick past the keeper with help from Mickey Burns and Garrett Dahm on the build up. Not too much came after the early goal besides a couple of Laker power plays, but Mercyhurst couldn't get another on the board to complete the comeback. It would end at 5-2 with the Lakers now focused on the rebound on Saturday.
Highlights
Freshman Boris Skalos scored his 3rd goal of the season, with Tommy Bannister netting his 2nd.
Captain Marko Reifenberger snagged his 3rd assist on the season, Garrett Dahm got his team leading 5th assist, and Keanan Stewart and Mickey Burns both picked up their 2nd.
Owen Say tallied 14 saves, while Simon Bucheler collected 15 saves.
Scoring Summary
P2: 2:42 - Tommy Bannister from Marko Stewart and Keanan Stewart
P3: 4:44 - Boris Skalos from Garrett Dahm and Mickey Burns
Next Up
The Lakers will look to bounce back tomorrow night with game two in Rochester getting underway at 5:05 pm.
