Erie, Pa. — The finale of the series between the Lakers and Crusaders ended in defeat for the home side. A ferocious, well matched battle ended 5-2 in favor of Holy Cross, as they picked up a hat trick in the process as well.
How It Happened
The game got underway in a stalemate for the first half of the first period, with the two teams close in terms of shots. The goals began to come after the halfway mark as the Lakers got off the mark first today. A block from Spencer Smith sent Ryan Coughlin and Barrett Brooks on a breakaway, which saw Coughlin hit Brooks on the right side across the face of goal after dropping his defender. Brooks had a perfect opening to smash it in the back of the net to collect his first career collegiate goal. Just over three minutes later the two sides went back level. Matt DeBoer stripped the defensive to lay it to Mack Olipahnt for the game tying goal. Oliphant skated around the net, eventually ending up in front to snipe it in the roof of the net. They ended the first taking the 1-1 tie into the second period.
It was a fairly quiet period in the middle frame of the game. They continued to play a fairly evenly matched hockey, as each team picked up a handful of penalties. Power plays came to no avail though with Thomas Gale and Owen Say essentially going save for save, displaying rock solid defense. A goal finally broke through with the clock set at just under four minutes left. Ty Gagno picked up a wild puck in the Mercyhurst half, leaving it for Alec Cicero who then slid it towards goal to give John Gelatt an opportunity to sneak it past Say. It headed into the final period a tight 2-1 contest in favor of the Crusaders.
Holy Cross picked up where they left off at the end of the second period, grabbing another goal within the first five minutes of period three. The Crusaders 1st forwards all broke down the length of the ice setting up Jack Ricketts for the goal. Liam McLinskey and Jack Seymour linked up to hit Ricketts with a perfect pass on the left side of the net to slot it for a 3-1 lead. Mercyhurst didn't take long to respond and pull one back. Two minutes later, Connor Pelc and Brooks fought to keep the attack alive in the Holy Cross end, which ended up sitting on the ice perfectly for Coughlin send it home.
The Lakers were playing with a keen taste for a comeback now. Dustin Geregach got himself on the board another two minutes after Coughlin's goal. Slick passing between Kyler Head, Steven Agriogianis and Geregach set him up in front of goal to nutmeg the keeper for a 3-3 tie. Penalties began to mount on both sides again, with it ending up 5v3 in favor of Holy Cross at one point, leading Ricketts to score his second of the game. He struck again when the Lakers went empty net in the final few minutes of the game to secure his hat trick. It was a chippy end to the contest with both sides picking up game misconducts, but it wouldn't change the 5-3 final as Holy Cross picked up the win.
Highlights
Barrett Brooks scored his 1st career goal.
Ryan Coughlin slotted home his 4th of the season.
Dustin Geregach got his 3rd goal on the year.
Brooks and Coughlin both collected their 2nd assists of the season.
Spencer Smith got his 5th assist.
Kyler Head claimed his 8th assist on the year.
Steven Agriogianis picked up his team leading 15th assist on the season.
Owen Say had 34 saves on 38 shots faced.
Scoring Summary
P1: 11:03 - Barrett Brooks from Ryan Coughlin and Spencer Smith
P3: 6:16 - Ryan Coughlin from Connor Pelc and Barrett Brooks
P3: 8:21 - Dustin Geregach from Steven Agriogianis and Kyler Head
Next Up
Mercyhurst will be back in action on Friday, February 2nd when they host Robert Morris University in the first leg of a home and home series.
