BUFFALO, N.Y. – Early goals in the first and second period led Mercyhurst to a 3-2 win over Canisius Friday night at the Buffalo State Sports Arena on Senior Night for the Golden Griffins.

The Lakers scored 29 seconds into the game when Chris Trafford sent a pass from behind the net to Matt Warren who beat Canisius goaltender Dan Giffin (Milton, Ont.) in the top right corner for the quick 1-0 lead.

The Griffs (10-21-2, 8-17-2 Atlantic Hockey) tied the game at 5:36 when forward Greg Brown (East Amherst, N.Y.) brought the puck into the Mercyhurst zone and had first shot stopped by Lakers goaltender Tyler Small. Brown got the rebound and beat Small for his second goal of the year.

Mercyhurst (20-12-1, 18-8-1) made the score 2-1 when Ben Cottreau led a 3-on-1 up the right side for the Lakers. Cottreau passed cross ice to Scott Champagne who sent it back to Cottreau and found a wide-open net for his 16th goal of the year.

The Lakers extended their lead to 3-1 just 51 seconds into the second period Dave Borrelli shot it from the top of the right circle and squeezed it under the left shoulder of Giffin for his 26th goal of the season.

Canisius cut the lead to 3-2 midway though the third period when junior Jaymie Harrington (West Boylston, Mass.) gathered a loose puck behind the Mercyhurst net and slid it into the right corner of the net.

The Blue and Gold wore down the undermanned Mercyhurst squad, outshooting the Lakers 12-8 in the third period, but couldn't get the equalizer to force overtime.

The Griffs outshot the Lakers 32-24 and won the faceoff battle 53-25, including winning 50 of the last 65 faceoffs.

Giffin (6-9-1) made 21 saves in the loss while Small (12-5-1) stopped 30 to pick up the win.

The loss, combined with losses by American International and Connecticut mean the Griffs clinch at least seventh place in the league. Earning one point in Saturday night’s season finale will guarantee sixth place for the Blue and Gold, who hold the tiebreaker with the Huskies due to a 3-1 head-to-head record.

Faceoff between the Lakers and Griffs is set for 7 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.