The LU hockey team earned a sweep over the Northland College Lumberjacks (1-16-0, 1-11-0) with a pair of one-goal victories in a Sunday-Monday series at home last weekend.
The series sweep improved their record to 6-9-2 overall and 5-5-2 in conference play.
In the Sunday game, the first goal came at the 7:23 mark of the first period on a hard Joe MacDonald slap shot off the post and in to give the Vikes a 1-0 lead. Lawrence continued to outplay the Lumberjacks and led in the shots-on-goal category by a 35-12 margin through the second period.
However, the visitors were able to beat goalkeeper Andrew Isaac to bring the game to a 1-1 tie with 2:37 remaining in the second period.
It would remain a tie game despite Lawrence having five power play chances,
including two three-on-five man advantages, until senior captain Joe Searl beat the goalkeeper’s lower glove to take the lead with just 1:17 left in regulation. The Vikings held on to win by a final score of 2-1.
The Monday afternoon rematch would prove to be another exciting contest. After playing a scoreless first period, the Lumberjacks struck first on a breakaway just 2:25 into the second period. LU then answered right back, tying the game at 1 apiece just 13 seconds later. The goal was credited to David Olynyk when a centering pass by Aaron LaFave ended up in the net after deflecting off Olynyk’s skate. Nick Jennette was credited with the second assist.
The Lumberjacks would take a 2-1 lead later in the second period,
only to again be answered by an Olynyk goal. Entering the third period tied for the second straight day Lawrence again would come out with a win. This time it was freshman Ted Greeley coming up with his first collegiate goal to give the Vikings the 3-2 win.
Isaac’s 41 saves on the weekend
earned him MCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors. LU makes the long trek to western Minnesota this weekend to battle MN-Crookston. The Vikes were winless
at home in this season’s first two encounters with the Golden Eagles.
Hockey sweeps season series with Northland
