Oxford, Oh. — The first leg of the home and home series between Mercyhurst and Miami University of Ohio ended up winner for the Lakers in OT 4-3. It's the third time the Lakers have won in overtime already this season and gives them the edge heading back to Erie on Sunday.

How It Happened
The two teams looked evenly matched from the start, producing end to end hockey to begin the game. Mercyhurst grabbed the lead off of a face-off that kicked out to Adrien Bisson at the edge of the neutral zone; he fired it on goal allowing captain Marko Reifenberger to flick it in the back of the net. Reifenberger's 4th goal on the season highlights his 100th career game, all spent in Laker green. The RedHakwks answered back with less than 3 minutes left in the period, on their first power play of the night. Miami had already had two penalty kills on the night and were able to jump on the first opportunity they got as points leader Matthew Barbolini evened the score heading into the second period at 1-1.

Miami picked up where they left off coming into the second period. Raimonds Vitolins capitalized on a rebound from Barbolini, poking his stick out one handed to slide it in goal for a RedHawk lead 3 minutes into the period. The game showed it's back and fourth quality 5 minutes later as Adrien Bisson and Steven Agriogianis took on the Miami defense 2-3 on a breakaway to put it at a 2-2 game. Bisson slide the puck right through the middle of the defense to Agriogianis, who shot it down low past the keeper up close.

Rebounds hurt the Lakers again to startle third period, with Matthew Barbolini tallying a goal yet again, this time only 38 seconds into the period. The quick score by the RedHawks only gave Mercyhurst ample time to make their comeback. The breakthrough came in the 11th minute with Keanan Stewart scoring in the second consecutive game to knot it pat 3-3. Dustin Geregach muscled the puck into attacking zone for Stewart to pick up and sling it past the goalies left, eventually solidifying a trip to overtime for the teams.

The RedHawks looked ferocious starting the overtime period, they went on to out shoot Mercyhurst 7-2 in the frame. None of it would matter as the Lakers grabbed it as Mickey Burns flung the puck to the other end of the ice to leading scorer Philip Waugh, who unleashed a big snapshot to get his goal and seal the victory for the boys. Mercyhurst hopes for the sweep, heading home as they take the momentum of a win to their own ice.

Highlights
Marko Reifenberger skated in his 100th career game as a Laker, scoring his 4th goal on the season. Keanan Stewart also scores his 4th of the season, in his second consecutive game with a goal. Steven Agriogianis got his 3rd on the season. Leading scorer Philip Waugh extends his goal tally to 6.

Dustin Geregach picked up two assists, giving him the team lead at 8. Tommy Bannister also added two assists and Adrien Bisson got one to make it 6 on the season for them each. Boris Skalos got his 5th on the year. Mickey Burns brought his assists to 4, and Kyler Head tallied his 1st on the season.

Owen Say garnered 38 saves on the day for a .927 save percentage.

Scoring Summary
P1: 7:59 - Marko Reifenberger from Adrien Bisson and Tommy Bannister

P2: 8:07 - Steven Agriogianis from Kyler Head and Dustin Geregach

P3: 11:19 - Keanan Stewart from Dustin Geregach and Tommy Bannister

OT: 11:19 - Philip Waugh from Mickey Burns and Boris Skalos

Next Up
Mercyhurst is back on the ice on Sunday at home against Miami University of Ohio with a 4:00 pm puck drop.