Erie, Pa. — Mercyhurst and RIT played a 13 goal thriller to open the series. A game that had power play goals, a shorthanded goal, breakaway goals, and an overtime winner in the final seconds, ended in defeat for the Lakers by a 6-7 final.
How It Happened
The game got off to a blistering start. The league leading Tigers were always going to come in and play a fast, aggressive style of hockey; it was up to the Lakers to keep up. Mercyhurst did look up to the task though. An RIT power play resulted in the eventual end of the deadlock. Christian Catalono was the one to capitalize on the opportunity for a 1-0 lead. The Lakers got their own power play goal towards the end of the period, as Will Margel laid the puck back at the edge of the zone for Adrien Bisson, who rifled it in the back of the net. The Tigers didn't let the tie stand for long, taking the lead back through top scorer Gianfranco Cassaro a minute later. The visitors took the 2-1 lead into the second period.
Action started early in the period with a short-handed goal by Garrett Dahm five minutes in. He intercepted a pass in the defensive zone and raced the puck all the way to the opposition goal, sliding it in just past their keeper to tie it again. Yet again RIT refused to stay tied for long. Just over a minute later Gustav Blom made it a five goal game to put his side up 3-2. Mercyhurst remained up to the task, pushing themselves even farther and scoring back-to-back-to-back goals in quick succession.
Margel got the run started on another breakaway after stripping the RIT offense to tuck one away. Smooth maneuvers around the Tigers net from Ryan Coughlin allowed him to place it right in front of net so Barrett Brooks to send it home. Garrett Dahm was then able to follow up his shot that was saved and hit Dustin Geregach to slam a powerful slap shot to cap a 3 goal run in just about four minutes. The Lakers took their new 5-3 lead into the final frame.
RIT were the ones to get the final period goals going five minuets in through Jacques Phillippe. The Lakers were able to keep their distance, doing so three minutes later with team goals leader Boris Skalos brining it to a 6-4 game. It was a beauty of a pass from Dahm across the face of goal that allowed Skalos to flip it in the net. The Tigers refused to show any quit making it 6-5 around the ten minute mark in the period with Cody Laskosky getting on the board this time. In a last gasp attempt, with the goalie off the ice, RIT scored again with about 40 seconds on the clock to send it to overtime through Aiden Hansen-Bukata.
Knotted at 6-6, the sides would play 3v3 hockey to try and determine a winner. Both teams saw multiple chances throughout the five minute frame, making it look like anybody's game to take. Just as it looked like it was headed to penalties, RIT grabbed a late winner with 12 seconds left on the clock. Simon Isabelle claimed it, marking their 7th different scorer on their 7 goals to seal the Laker loss.
Highlights
Adrien Bisson scored his 1st goal of the season.
Will Margel got his 5th goal and his 2 assists brought him to 8 on the year.
Garrett Dahm netted his 5th goal and got his 14th and 15th assists on the season.
Barrett Brooks claimed his 3rd goal.
Dustin Geregach scored his 4th goal of the year.
Boris Skalos got his team leading 12th goal.
Steven Agriogianis had an assist to bring his team lead to 16 on the season.
Ryan Coughlin claimed his 6th assist on the year.
Connor Pelc got his 4th assist.
Kyler Head brought in his 9th assist of the season.
Simon Bucheler had 40 saves on 47 shots faced.
Scoring Summary
P1: 17:36 (PP) - Adrien Bisson from Will Margel and Steven Agriogianis
P2: 4:22 (SHG) - Garrett Dahm unassisted
P2: 11:11 - Will Margel unassisted
P2: 13:03 - Barrett Brooks from Ryan Coughlin and Connor Pelc
P2: 15:20 - Dustin Geregach from Garrett Dahm and Will Margel
P3: 7:35 - Boris Skalos from Garrett Dahm and Kyler Head
Next Up
Mercyhurst looks to get redemption tomorrow, as they and RIT get set for a 4:00 PM puck drop.
