Erie, Pa. — The Lakers began their series against Army West Point dropping a tough one, despite their inspiring play. The Black Knights fought back after the Lakers took a two goal lead at 3-1, to finish 4-3 with the scoreline in their favor.

How It Happened
After a couple of early icings by both teams, the Lakers were energized putting pressure on the Black Knights early. Army West Point goalie Evan Szary was tested, needing to make 4 saves only two minutes into the period. Mercyhurst had to survive their own period of pressure around the halfway mark in the period. Jake Beaune had a big defensive play on a Black Knight breakaway, stealing the chance from behind preventing a shot. Net minder Owen Say was on display as well, making 6 saves in 5 minutes. 

The Lakers had their own chance to take the lead in the 13th minute as Kyler Head and Boris Skalos went on a 2v1 breakaway, but Head's shot was ripped right into the keepers grasp. Say had another moment of greatness towards the end of the period when Army West Point went on a 5v3 advantage after penalties stacked up. He made a plethora of saves, including a great chance by Joey Baez with the puck pinging around the net, Say was able to get a stick on it and throw his legs behind him to prevent it from sneaking into goal.

They enter the second period at a 0-0 stalemate. Mercyhurst got cooking quickly, picking up a penalty kill within the first five minutes of play and then capitalizing on a penalty of their own after a hooking call on Nik Hong. Smooth possession passing down the ice from Philip Waugh, Mickey Burns, and Trent Sambrook, set up Waugh to smack a one-timer from the right side of the net for a 1-0 lead 6 minutes in. The Black Knights were almost able to pull one back. They were down near the net, keeping it there with scrappy play, and Joey Baez was finally able to slot it home for the tie, or so they thought. The goal would eventually be disallowed after a lengthy review, with the call being offsides on Brent Keefer, who would've claimed the assist on the goal. The puck bounced off Baez's skate over the line to the neutral zone to keep it in their attacking half, after Keefer had already entered.

Mercyhurst would worsen the period for Army West Point when Waugh struck again with only 6 minutes left in the period. This time it was Skalos and Steven Agriogianis setting him up for an eerily similar shot to his first one, a one-timer from the right side in virtually the same spot. The Lakers picked up another massive penalty kill to end the period, but would be without their captain, Marko Reifenberger, who picked up a game misconduct after receiving the penalty. Nevertheless, Mercyhurst took a 2-0 lead into the third.

The Black Knights came into the period looking to cause chaos, and they were able to start their press early. They pulled their first one back around 7 minutes in as Max Itagaki guided it in after Mac Gadowsky passed it towards goal. Mercyhurst was determined to regain their two goal advantage, attacking on a 4v4, leading goal scorer Skalos was able to flick one backhanded past goal with help from Sambrook to make it 3-1 Lakers. Celebrations didn't last long, as it seemed Army West Point was just getting started. 

It became a 3-2 game when Black Knight captain Michael Sacco snuck one past Say for a short-handed goal; Gadowsky was there on the assist again. The game tying goal also came from Sacco with 2:18 left to play, hitting a 180 degree turn to sink it, as Gadowsky finished his hat trick of assists on the goal as well. Heartbreak struck not even a minute later with the clock at 1:40 in game time left. Gadowsky bettered his day, capping it with a goal from range to seal the deal. Mercyhurst gave it one last push, emptying the net, but Szary was able tome 2 saves as the clock ran down, finalizing the 4-3 loss.

Highlights
Philip Waugh collected two goals to put him in a tie for the lead at 8.
Boris Skalos netted another giving him 8 on the season as well.
Trent Sambrook had two assists for the second game in a row, putting him at 4 on the year.
Mickey Burns, Steven Agriogianis and Boris Skalos all picked up an assist on the evening
Owen Say had 33 saves on 37 shots.

Scoring Summary
P2: 5:53 (PP) - Philip Waugh from Trent Sambrook and Mickey Burns

P2: 13:43 - Philip Waugh from Steven Agriogianis and Boris Skalos

P3: 8:58 - Boris Skalos from Trent Sambrook

Next Up
The Lakers wrap up the series against Army West Point tomorrow evening, with puck drop at 4:00 pm.