Rochester, NY. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team hit the road for the first time in CHA play as they traveled to RIT for game one of a weekend series with the Tigers. A late third period goal by Sara Boucher gave the Lakers the lead and they would go on to win the game 3-1.
How it Happened
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the game. It didn't take the Lakers long to respond as Sofia Nuutinen found an opening and scored. Sydney Pedersen and Kylee Mahoney added assists on the goal. Late in the first period the Lakers had an opportunity to add on as Thea Johansson had a breakaway, but a save by the goaltender kept it tied at one. Just a minute later, Sara Boucher had an opportunity, but another save by the goaltender kept the Lakers off the scoreboard. After one period of play, the Lakers and the Tigers were tied at one.
An early tripping penalty on the Lakers put the Tigers on the power-play. During the power-play, the Tigers put three shots on goal, all saved by Ena Nystrom. At the 6:33 mark in the second period, the Lakers went on the power-play after a tripping penalty on the Tigers. Shortly after the Lakers power-play ended, the Tigers went on a power-play again. The Lakers killed off the penalty and got back to full strength. Late in the period, Emmi Mourujarvi ripped a shot from the point and hit the post. After two periods of play, the game remained tied at one.
Early in the third period the Lakers put multiple shots on goal. Both sides traded shots up until the midway point in the third period. The Lakers went on the power-play after a five-minute major on the Tigers. The Lakers immediately put the pressure on, putting 23 shots on goal during the power-play. During that stretch the Lakers and the Tigers each took a penalty, so the power-play was extended for the Lakers, and they cashed in on the opportunity. A loose puck in front of the net was gathered by Sara Boucher who just got the puck around the goaltender to get the goal and give the Lakers a 2-1 lead. Kylee Mahoney and Vanessa Upson were credited with assists on the goal. Off the next faceoff, Ena Nystrom gathered the puck from behind her own net and found Sydney Pedersen who took a shot at the empty net. Pedersen scored and extended the Lakers lead to 3-1.
Highlights
Sofia Nuutinen scored her third goal of the season. Nuutinen extended her point streak to three games with the goal.
Sydney Pedersen continues to rack up the assists, notching her team leading 11th assist of the season. Pedersen added an empty net goal for her second goal of the season.
Sara Boucher's goal was her team leading seventh of the season, and brought her point total to 13
Kylee Mahoney tallied two assists on the night.
Ena Nystrom got herself an assist on Sydney Pedersen's goal.
Along with her first assist of the year, Ena Nystrom stopped 27 shots.
Chantal Ste-Croix skated in her 100th career game with the Lakers.
The Lakers outshot the Tigers 47-28.
Scoring Summary
P1 | 10:26 | Sofia Nuutinen from Sydney Pedersen and Kylee Mahoney
P3 | 17:31 | Sara Boucher from Kylee Mahoney and Vanessa Upson
P3 | 19:13 | Sydney Pedersen from Ena Nystrom
Next Up
The Lakers and Tigers will play game two of their weekend series tomorrow afternoon. Puck-drop is set for 3 PM.
