Waltham, Ma. — Mercyhurst dropped the series finale against Bentley in a 12 goal thriller. It ended 8-4 in favor of the Falcons, solidifying a sweep for the New England team with help from a Ryan Mansfield hat trick. The Lakers will have to look to bounce back next weekend when they host a Massachusetts team in Holy Cross

How It Happened
Bentley left off where they ended last night, scoring inside two minutes. Ryan Mansfield netted the first goal of the game just over a minute in, forcing the Lakers to have to come from behind the second game running. Soon after, Mercyhurst went down 5v3, following a game misconduct on top of another penalty. It was a familiar face in Chase Davis capitalizing 30 seconds later. Davis captures his 3rd power play goal of the weekend, after having two yesterday, getting his rebound in a dog pile around the net. The Lakers were determined not to get shutout today though. 

They were able to break through as Boris Skalos finally beat Connor Hasley with six minutes left on the clock with a backhand from the left side. It was a slick backhanded goal fed to him by Marko Reifenberger with Tyler DesRochers getting in on assists as well. Good turned to great for Mercyhurst four minutes later as they were able to equalize. Keanan Stewart sniped it in on a turn, off of a Skalos shot originally fed from Steven Agriogianis. It was quickly a 2-2 game that the Lakers would take into the second period.

The pace of the game picked up to start the second with chances on both end flowing more freely. Each team picked up a penalty kill and just as it looked like both defenses were too stubborn to let one in, the Falcons recaptured the lead eight minutes in. Tucker Hodgson let it rip from the edge of the zone and it snuck in to help Bentley recapture their lead at 3-2. Bentley was at it again with four minutes left on the clock as Mansfield collected his 2nd of the day to double the lead. 

It became a back and fourth game at the close of the period with the Lakers pulling one back now, capturing the puck off of a face-off during power play. Dustin Geregach hit Agriogianis from the top of the key who slid it into Kyler Head, who stood at an opening on the left side of the net to easily pass it in. Just a minute later the two goal lead was reestablished. Arlo Merritt hit it past three bodies right in front of net to make it 5-3 heading into the final period of play.

Mercyhurst came out in the final period with Owen Say in goal replacing Simon Bucheler in hopes to mix up the Falcons offense. Bentley's offense showed they were unfazed by the change, getting one again after nine minutes. Kellan Hjartarson rifled it in from the left side to put the Mercyhurst deficit at 3 goals. The Lakers once again brought back a goal with Ryan Coughlin throwing his stick at the puck after his initial shot didn't go. Geregach and Skalos get credited for assists on the goal that made it 6-4. The Falcons goals came flying in towards the end of the game, grabbing two more by Stephan Castagna and Mansfield, who completed his hat trick. It ended 8-4, sealing the sweep by Bentley.

Highlights
Boris Skalos scored his team leading 10th goal and grabbed his 7th and 8th assists.
Keanan Stewart netted his 7th goal, Ryan Coughlin grabbed his 3rd, and Kyler Head got his 5th.
Steven Agriogianis and Dustin Geregach each collected two assists to put Agriogianis at 13 and Gewregach at 11 on the year.
Marko Reifenberger got his 5th assist and Tyler DesRochers got his 2nd.
Simon Bucheler had 26 saves on 31 shots faced.
Owen Say had 8 saves on 11 shots faced.

Scoring Summary

P1: 13:30 - Boris Skalos from Marko Reifenberger and Tyler DesRochers

P1: 17:22 - Keanan Stewart from Skalos and Steven Agriogianis

P2: 17:42 (PP) - Kyler Head from Agriogianis and Dustin Geregach

P3: 14:15  - Ryan Coughlin from Geregach and Skalos

Next Up
Mercyhurst host Holy Cross next weekend for a two game set starting on Friday, January 26th.