The Lawrence University men’s hockey team did not have much to play for this weekend, but it sure did not look that way on the ice. The Vikings already wrapped up a spot in the conference tournament and home-ice advantage for the first round, but they still came out looking like they had something to prove.
The Vikings jumped on the Finlandia Lions early in the first game of the two-game series and opened up a 2-0 lead in the first period. Billy Siers and Nick Jennette scored goals, and the assists were credited to Corey Garrett and Jon Sacks. Lawrence cooled off in the following periods and the Lions made a comeback.
The Vikings allowed two goals in the second period to tie the score going into the final period including a power play score. The Lions then took the lead for good on another power-play goal midway through the third period. Viking’s goalie Evan Johnson played well and made 29 saves but took the loss for Lawrence.
The second game of the series was historical for the Vikings, as they broke the school’s record for wins in a season. The previous record was set in the 2006-07 season. Lawrence sophomore Pat Brenner scored the first goal of the game on a power play early in the second period. The Vikings (14-10-1, 14-5-1 MCHA) got another chance on the power play late in the third period and again they converted.
This time Jennette was credited with the goal, his second of the weekend. The game got ugly late in the third period when the teams were called for a combined 21 penalties and 114 penalty minutes. The madness gave Finlandia a two-man advantage and they would convert on, cutting Lawrence’s lead to 2-1. The Lions (10-11-2, 10-8-2) then pulled their goalie in a last attempt to tie the game, but the Vikings stood strong and carded the victory. Backup goalie Jim Ryan earned the victory for Lawrence by making 23 saves.
Up next for the Vikings is the conference tournament against an opponent yet to be determined. These games will be played here at home at the Appleton Family Ice Center on Ballard Rd.
Men’s hockey splits weekend series
