ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Men's AAU Hockey team hosted the Alfred State Pioneers this past weekend for the first game of the year at the Mercyhurst Ice Center
 
The first period started off with a flurry of offensive production from both teams but was largely dominated by the Lakers. Freshman Grant Butts scored his second goal of the year, thanks to an assist from Trevor Keenan, his second, at 15:59. Less than two minutes later, Blake Cusse scored his first collegiate goal on the power play, leaving the score at 2-0 in favor of the Lakers. The Pioneers managed to answer with a quick goal of their own at 12:19, until Thomas Edwards fired in a goal thanks to a feed from Keenan and Butts, rounding out the Lakers offensive production for the first period. Alfred State managed to sink in a goal with 2:12 left on the clock, leaving the score at 3-2 heading into the intermission.
 
The second period was kicked off by an early goal by the Pioneers, tying the game at three goals apiece. Due to a crosschecking penalty committed by Alfred State, rookie Thomas Edwards was able to net his second goal of the game on the power play, with the assist coming from Trevor Keenan. Alfred State scored on the power play with five minutes left to go in the period, but sophomore Jake Moran was able to score his first goal of the year with less than a second left on the clock.
 
In the third period, the Pioneers scored three unanswered goals to leave the score at 6-5 when senior Nicholas Viselli scored his first goal of the year on the power play, with his feed coming from Kason Tai. With under two minutes left, the Lakers pulled their goalie to gain an advantage with the extra attacker, but it was not enough. Alfred State scored an empty net goal, solidifying their 8-6 win over the Blue and Green.
 
Goalie Max Ingerman got the nod for the start, stopping 41 of 48 shots on goal. Sophomore Conner Racette had to briefly support, stopping one of two shots.
 
The Lakers return to the ice on October 3 as they take on Canisius University at 9:00 PM.