Erie, Pa. — The Lakers closed out their home and home series against Canisius in dominant fashion, winning by a score of 5-1. Boris Skalos was one of the heroes tonight, scoring the first hat trick of the season for Mercyhurst.
How It Happened
Mercyhurst was able to flip the script on the Golden Griffins with the way the game started compared to last night. The Lakers went on a power play 5 minutes in and were able to capitalize in the 7th minute right before it ended. Boris Skalos picked up his first goal on the night after being queued up by Steven Agriogianis, ripping one into the back of the net with power to start the scoring on the night.
Not even 4 minutes later Skalos struck again, shoveling the puck in backhanded on a rebounded shot from Mickey Bruns. Burns picks up the assist along with Agriogianis who's was now on the double for assists. The goals kept pouring in as Mercyhurst made it a 3-0 game only 2 minutes later. Tommy Bannister pounced on this one in a scramble near the net with Trent Sambrook getting in on the help, collecting his first career point with his assist. Mercyhurst's fast, aggressive, tone setting hockey saw them take their 3 goal lead into the second.
Canisius came into the second period determined to turn the tide. They were able to keep the puck down in Mercyhurst's defensive zone for a large chunk of the period and throw a plethora of shots on goal. Owen Say, sturdy as ever, was unwavering in net with the Golden Griffins testing him. He made massive saves to help the Lakers keep their lead and would make 19 saves in the period alone. Canisius eventually was able to breakthrough, scoring in the 13th minute with Christian MacDougall getting the claim on it for a 3-1 lead. The Lakers wouldn't be without their 3 goal advantage very long. Keanan Stewart got in on the action 3 minutes later, throwing one towards the net that eventually was tipped in by a Canisius player to make it a 4-1 game. Sambrook was on the aide again to now secure his first two points in tonights match.
The final period was highlighted in the 10th minute when Skalos was able to secure his career first hat trick and Mercyhurst's first of the season to make it 5-1. The goal came from a sequence of pinpoint passing and possession in the Canisius half, Agriogians and Kyler Head were able to find Skalos in front of the net who whizzed it to the left side of the net, giving the goalie no chance. Agriogianis' assist put him on his own hat trick, marking his 3rd of the night. The Golden Griffins closed out the game aggressively trying to tally more on the board from their end. Say had 9 saves in the final 10 minutes of the game, thwarting their chances and a couple of power plays to secure all 3 points for the Lakers tonight and giving them 5 on the weekend after the shootout victory last night.
Highlights
Boris Skalos scored his first career hat trick to give him the lead in goals on the team with 7.
Tommy Bannister grabbed his 3rd goal on the season.
Keanan Stewart got his 5th goal and 3rd assist.
Trent Sambrook collected his first two career points with 2 assists tonight.
Steven Agriogianis snagged a hat trick of assists giving him 6 on the year.
Mickey Burns each had an assist bringing him to 7.
Kyler Head's two assists gave him 4 on the season.
Owen Say had 39 saves on 40 shots.
Scoring Summary
P1: 7:08 (PP) - Boris Skalos from Steven Agriogianis and Kyler Head
P1: 10:35 - Boris Skalos from Mickey Burns and Steven Agriogianis
P1: 12:55 - Tommy Bannister from Trent Sambrook and Keanan Stewart
P2: 16:01 - Keanan Stewart from Trent Sambrook
P3: 10:11 Boris Skalos from Kyler Head and Steven Agriogianis
Next Up
Mercyhurst is back in action next weekend, hosting Army. Game one is set to get underway Friday, December 8th with puck drop at 7:00 pm.
