Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald

Lammon’s Goal the Difference as Mercyhurst Edges Bentley 3-2

WATERTOWN, Mass. – Mercyhurst freshman Josh Lammon scored the tiebreaking goal with 8:30 left in the third period, and the Lakers held on late to defeat Bentley 3-2 Saturday night to conclude the Falcons' season opening series.

With the score tied 1-1 after the opening period, the teams traded goals in the early part of the second period.  Sophomore forward Andrew McDonald (New Brighton, Minn./Fargo) scored his second of the game and third of the series just 1:03 in, knocking in a loose puck in front of the net to give Bentley a brief 2-1 lead. McDonald ended up scoring all three Bentley goals on the weekend.

But after Bentley took a penalty, Mercyhurst converted on the power play as freshman defenseman Lester Lancaster blasted a slap shot from the blue line just 1:25 later to tie the game up 2-2.

That was the last goal either team scored until past the halfway point of the third period, when Lammon scored to put the Lakers in front 3-2.

Falcons starting goalie Gabe Antoni (Lansdale, Pa./Springfield), who made 19 saves on the night, was pulled for the extra-attacker with 1:07 left, but Bentley could not find the tying goal.

McDonald got Bentley on the board first at 4:35 of the opening period. Taking a pass from center Ryan McMurphy (Broken Arrow, Okla./Tri-City), he slammed home a shot from close range, with line mate Kyle Schmidt (Menomonee Falls, Wisc./Sioux City) also getting an assist.

Just past the 10 minute point of the period though, Mercyhurst tied it up on a goal by freshman Taylor Best, his third goal of the series.

Lakers goalie Brandon Wildung made 27 saves to earn the win.

Next up for Bentley is a home-and-home series with Northeastern, with the series getting underway on Friday at Matthews Arena. The series shifts to Ryan Arena next Saturday night.