Hockey wins, ties in weekend doubleheader

The hockey team entered a pivotal
doubleheader against Finlandia University last weekend. Entrenched two points behind the Lions in the standings, Lawrence found themselves in position to make up ground in the MCHA.
Game 1 featured outstanding goalkeeping
by Andrew “The Team” Isaac and an all around defensive effort from the Vikes. For most of the game a slew of Lawrence defensemen forced Lion attackers to the outside, where they were left frustrated, being forced to throw the puck on net at near-impossible angles. In the second period Lawrence convincingly battled through an 11-minute marathon of 7 straight penalties, including two 5-on-3s, but promptly responded by getting a goal with 23 seconds left in the period to take a 2-0 advantage into the break. Finlandia got a goal less than four minutes into the third period, but the Vikings would get three straight goals from there on out, including David Olynyk’s second of the night and a short-handed goal from Evan Thornton, cruising to a 5-1 victory. Lawrence rode the strength of 39 saves from Andrew Isaac and an efficient offense that needed only 21 shots to produce 5 chicken scratches. Finlandia was left baffled on the power play, finishing the day 0-for-8 on the man advantage. On Sunday Finlandia would come out stronger, getting a power play goal only 1:46 in. Lawrence came right back, getting first-period goals from freshmen
defensemen Mitch Sabo and Blake Royle. The same pattern held true for the second period, with Finlandia getting an early goal and Lawrence storming right back, eventually inching to a 2-goal advantage
late in the second on beauties two minutes apart from Aaron LaFave and Joe Searl. Unfortunately, the Lawrence penalty kill couldn’t hold up, surrendering 2 more goals before the second buzzer sounded. The third period featured outstanding hustle from a determined Vikes team that was knocking at the door but just couldn’t get the right bounce, outplaying Finlandia for the majority of the third and into OT, but LU had to settle for a tie, 4-4.
After the dust had settled, the Vikings came out of the weekend taking 3 of 4 points and were tied with Finlandia for third place in the MCHA. Next up for Lawrence is first-place MSOE, playing here Friday in Appleton and Saturday in Milwaukee.