Mercyhurst Holds on to Edge Bentley, 3-2

January 10, 2004

Courtesy of Mercyhurst Sports Information Department

Mercyhurst built a 3-0 lead after two periods and then hung on to defeat the Bentley Falcons 3-2 Saturday night, January 10, before nearly 1,000 fans at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. The Lakers, who swept the weekend series, improved to 9-9-1 overall and 6-3-0 in Atlantic Hockey. Bentley dropped to 3-11-4 and 1-6-4 respectively.

Mercyhurst got an even strength goal from sophomore forward Dave Borrelli and a power play tally from freshman forward Scott Champagne in the first period and tacked on an even strength marker from junior forward Rich Hansen in the second for a seemingly safe 3-0 cushion. But the Falcons rallied with two goals within a six-minute span early in the third to make things interesting. Sophomore forward Ryan Lessnau tallied the first shorthanded goal the Lakers have allowed this season at 3:19 and sophomore forward Brendan McCartin followed with an even strength score at 8:52. The Falcons pulled junior goaltender Simon St. Pierre for a second straight night late in the game, but the Mercyhurst defense held its ground.

Bentley outshot Mercyhurst 32-20 which included a 14-5 advantage in the third. Mercyhurst sophomore Andy Franck stopped 30 shots in picking up his seventh win of the season. The Lakers converted one power play chance in four tries while the Falcons finished zero for six.

Mercyhurst will remain at home next weekend when Atlantic Hockey rival American International College visits for 7:30 games Friday and Saturday.