The Vikings faced off against the University of Minnesota, Crookston Nov. 18 and 19, and took on Lake Forest Nov. 22. On the first day Lawrence tied Crookston in a battle to the buzzer. Both teams were relentless for the entire 60 minutes of regulation and the five-minute overtime session. Freshman Nick Jennette scored while Neil Wallace and David Olynyk each tallied a goal and an assist. Four minutes into the overtime, Evan Thornton had an excellent chance but wasn’t able to capitalize as he slid the puck just wide of the net. Lawrence’s penalty kill was on its game. Players were completely selfless, throwing themselves in front of every shot and knocking to the ice everyone who came near Andrew Isaac.
The next day, Lawrence lost to Crookston in an all-out war. Several players were ejected from the game for disorderly conduct, as both teams were playing extremely emotional hockey. Pete Mossberg notched Lawrence’s only goal, in the third, from Kalle Larsson and Josh Peterson. Isaac was absolutely phenomenal in goal, and is looking even more promising than last year. “Isaac is a cat,” said Freshman Chris Lawson. “He moves so fast, it’s unreal.”
The winless weekend earned the Vikings a single point in the MCHA standings and places them in second place after two weekends of conference action. Conference competition continues this weekend as Finlandia comes to town.
On Nov. 22, Lawrence took the ice against Lake Forest, a powerful team from the neighboring NCHA. Jennette started the scoring frenzy 3:09 into the first with assists from Mossberg and Thornton. About six minutes later Mason Oakes scored an unassisted goal. Joe Searl scored off of a pass from Peterson, and Mitch Sabo put one home from Olynyk and Neil Wallace to put Lawrence up 4-1 at the closing of the second. Lake Forest rallied with a four-goal third period to take the lead 5-4. Oakes scored again from Charlie Ward and Searl, and Joe McDonald put up the game-winner with assists from Mossberg and Jennette.
So far, Lawrence seems to be winning off of hard work and raw talent, and as they progress and work together, we’re going to see more great things from the hockey team. “Nick Jennette is having an awesome year,” says defenseman Ted Greeley. “He is just able to put the puck in the net.” Lawrence has begun to show toughness and hopes to carry this over the next two weekends of conference action heading into winter break.
Hockey battles through weekend, tops Lake Forest
