MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's hockey team traveled to Robert Morris for their final series of the regular season. The Colonials dominated the puck for the entirety of the game, but the Lakers managed to take the lead on two occasions. However, RMU's late offensive surge in the final frame gave MU a 5-3 loss. Salvatore Evola prevented this from being any worse as he made a career-high 58 saves between the pipes. 
 
The first period commenced with Evola quickly guarding the net for Mercyhurst (5-25-3, 5-17-3 AHA). Robert Morris (12-18-3, 12-11-2 AHA) started strong ad controlled the puck in the early going. They secured an early lead with a goal at 12:15. The Lakers responded effectively, leveling the score at 1-1 when Brendan Lamb found the back of the net with 5:08 remaining. Here, Christian Kocsis played the puck deep off the wall, the Colonial netminder missed it, and Lamb scored on an open net. The period concluded with the score tied, 1-1.
 
Mercyhurst seized early momentum in the second period with Ryan Coughlin netting a goal just 29 seconds in, assisted by John Larkin and Riley Fitzgerald. Despite a subsequent power play opportunity resulting from a penalty on Robert Morris, the Lakers could not capitalize further. Robert Morris equalized at 15:09 and the period continued to be marked by more saves from Evola. The period concluded in another tie, 2-2.
 
Dominik Bartecko scored for the Lakers at 9:55 off of a pass from Coughlin to give them the lead again. At this point, RMU has three times as many shots as MU. However, Robert Morris equalized again with a goal at 5:32, followed by the go-ahead goal at 5:00. Despite pulling the goalie for an extra attacker, Mercyhurst could not capitalize, and Robert Morris sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 0:24. The game ended with a final score of 5-3 in favor of the Colonials.
 
Puck drop for game two will take place tomorrow in Erie at 5 p.m. Head Coach Rick Gotkin will be honored in his final home game.