West Point, N.Y. - The Lakers finished their last away series of the regular season tonight, Feb. 18, 2023.
The team dominated, defeating the Black Knights 7-3. The win earned the team a 2023 AHA Playoff spot.
Coach Rick Gotkin stood behind the bench to coach his 1,200th contest as a Laker. He is the longest tenured head coach, currently coaching, and is the third to reach this milestone.
How it Happened
First Period
It felt like the game just started, and Mickey Burns already lit the lamp. He accepted a pass from Eric Esposito and snuck it in the left side of the net. Time on the ice was 2:08
Esposito wanted a goal of his own, and he earned one at 15:21. A Black Knight threw himself at the puck, but Esposito maneuvered around to add one on the board. Dustin Geregach was able to help out.
Army scored their own at 17:25 on a power play.
Second Period
Esposito was not done, he was back by the blue line and found a gap in the crease. Geregach and Jonathan Bendorf gladly accepted the apples at 5:19.
The Black Knights capitalized on two more goals at 5:57 and 18:11. The score was now tied at three.
Third Period
Right off a faceoff drawn by Garrett Dahm, Mickey Burns shot a clapper right past the goaltender to score the fourth of the game at 4:49.
Hats came off on the ice at 17:17 for Esposito. He saw the opportunity in the side to earn his third of the night on a power play. Bendorf and Geregach were there assist.
Some fantastic down-ice play by Esposito and Bendorf allowed Gueorgui Feduolov to make it 6-3 at 18:35 on the major power play.
Right after the major expired, Paul Maust dumped it in at the top of the crease. Geregach and Joseph Maziraz were right there with him to help light the lamp at 19:31.
Highlights
Esposito earned five points on the night, three being goals.
Geregach tallied four apples.
Harmon had 35 saves.
Dahm had a 70% faceoff percentage.
Scoring Summary
Playoff Picture
The Lakers have secured the final spot in the 2023 AHA Playoffs. Their win tonight allowed them to gain three points, totaling 33 on the campaign.
Next Game
The Lakers will have a home-and-home with Niagara on Feb. 24 and 25, 2023. The team will host Senior Night on Friday in the MIC. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
