Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst Women's Ice Hockey team looked to even the series against Robert Morris in game two of the CHA Semifinals. The Lakers used three third period goals to get a 5-2 win over the Colonials. The Lakers even the series 1-1 and pushed the series to a third game.
How it Happened
After being shutout yesterday, the Lakers came out flying in game two. Thea Johansson netted the first goal of the game at 3:07 in the first period, giving the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Sara Boucher added to the Lakers lead with a goal of her own. Sofia Nuutinen and Vanessa Upson assisted on the first two Laker goals.
After a scoreless first period, the Colonials scored the only two goals of the second period. Alaina Giampietro scored the first one at 9:09, and Lindsey Smolen scored the second at 16:52.
The game remained tied through the first half of the second period before Vanessa Upson scored a back-hand goal to give the Lakers a 3-2 lead. The Lakers added two empty net goals by Thea Johansson and Upson at the end of the game to pad the lead and walk away with a game two win.
Highlights
Vanessa Upson had a career day, recording two goals and three assists for five points. Upson scored the game-winner midway through the third period, which just so happened to be her 100th career point. Upson tied a CHA postseason record for points in a game with Tessa Janecke and former Laker Meghan Agosta.
Sofia Nuutinen tied a CHA single-game postseason record for assists in a game with four.
Thea Johansson scored twice in the game. Johansson opened the scoring in the game and added an empty net goal to ice the game. Johansson led the Lakers with nine shots on goal.
Sara Boucher scored her 18th goal of the season.
Megan McKay tallied her 15th assist of the season.
Ena Nystrøm stopped 24 shots in net, earning her 19th win of the season. Nystrøm amassed 2,500 saves in her career with the Lakers.
Mary Kromer skated in her 100th game as a Laker.
Scoring Summary
P1 | 3:07 | Thea Johansson from Vanessa Upson and Sofia Nuutinen
P1 | 13:08 | PP | Sara Boucher from Sofia Nuutinen and Vanessa Upson
P3 | 10:13 | Vanessa Upson from Sofia Nuutinen
P3 | 18:59 | EN | Thea Johansson from Megan McKay and Vanessa Upson
P3 | 19:54 | EN | Vanessa Upson from Sofia Nuutinen
Next Up
The Lakers and Colonials will play tomorrow afternoon in game three of the CHA Semifinals. Puck-drop is set for 2 PM. The winner will advance to the CHA Finals where they will play Penn State.
