Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team opened their 2023-24 season with a weekend series against Post. The Lakers won game one by a score of 5-0.
How it Happened
The Lakers came out firing as Sara Boucher put two quick shots on the net. A tripping penalty gave the Lakers an early power-play. Sara Boucher came down and ripped two more shots, one of them hit the crossbar and out of play. The Lakers came down the ice and Chantal Ste-Criox put a shot on the net that was saved but bounced straight out to Thea Johansson who put it in the back of the net for her first goal of the season. The Lakers took a 1-0 lead midway through the first period. It didn't take long for the Lakers to put the pressure back on Post as Sara Boucher hit the plumbing once again. Just before the end of the period, Sydney Pedersen ripped a shot from just inside the blue line that missed just wide of the goal. Time expired and the Lakers led 1-0 at the end of the first period.
The Lakers took a tripping penalty early in the second period. The penalty kill unit did its job and got the Lakers back to full strength. A loose puck found the stick of Sofia Nuutinen who put two shots on the goal, the first one being saved, but the second found the back of the net. Early in the second period the Lakers led 2-0. At the midway mark of the third period, Thea Johansson came down the ice and put a shot on net that hit the post, she got her rebound and fired another shot that missed wide. With around five minutes left in the period, Sara Boucher found the puck and flipped it over the goaltender's shoulder for the goal. Boucher got the puck after a Thea Johansson shot, and a Kylee Mahoney shot. They both got credited with an assist on the goal. The Lakers led 3-0. The period ended and the Lakers had the lead 3-0.
Sofia Ljung ripped a shot over the goaltender's shoulder for her first career goal. Vanessa Upson Mary Kromer had the assists on the Ljung goal. The Lakers extended their lead to 4-0. If you blinked, you missed another goal by the Lakers. Kylee Mahoney stole the puck from Post and wrapped around the goal and squeaked it in. The Laker now lead 5-0 on the Mahoney goal. The Lakers kept throwing shots at the net throughout the entire period. A face-off won by the Lakers saw the puck find Thea Johansson who put a shot on net but missed high and wide. Later, Sofia Nuutinen found herself on a breakaway and put a nice move on the goalie but couldn't squeeze it by her. The final seconds ticked off the clock and the Lakers took home the win.
Highlights
1st Period: Thea Johansson scored the first goal of the season for the Lakers. Chantal Ste-Criox and Sydney Pedersen added assists.
2nd Period: Sofia Nuutinen scored her first career goal. Sara Boucher added an assist. Sara Boucher scored her first goal of the season. Kylee Mahoney and Thea Johansson added assists.
3rd Period: Sofia Ljung scored her first career goal from Vanessa Upson and Mary Kromer. Kylee Mahoney scored her first goal of the season from Sara Boucher and Thea Johansson.
Sara Boucher finished the night with three points (1G, 2A). Thea Johansson finished with three points (1G, 2A). Kylee Mahoney finished with two points (1G, 1A).
Next Up
Puck drop for game two of the weekend series between the Lakers and Post is set for 1 PM tomorrow.
