Whatever New Year’s resolutions were made in their honor, the Lawrence University men’s hockey team took them to heart by quickly placing them among the elite, undefeated teams of 2007. They were the first back-to-back victories the hockey team has seen all season, and they were certainly convincing.
Friday night the Vikes hosted St. Olaf for the first of a weekend double header, and instantly found themselves in a hole. Down 1-0 late in the third period, the Vikes worked some magic as goalie Andrew Isaac was pulled only to witness a brilliant one-two from Billy Siers to Joe Searl to force overtime.
The last-minute heroics came with only 36 ticks left, which served as a definitive starter to a snowball effect that the Vikes rolled — although not for long — into overtime.
Just nine seconds into overtime Searl picked a St. Olaf defender’s pocket and found himself in a breakaway for the win.
A pretty deke sent the St. Olaf goaltender sprawling as Searl lit the lamp and sent the water bottle flying in one graceful stroke. The 2-1 box score the game yielded did no justice to the thrilling finish, the never-say-die attitude, and the late heroics of Joe Searl.
Saturday brought another nail-biter that had both teams tied at three late in the third period when St. Olaf was granted a power play. But who knew the team’s first shorthanded goal of the season would come at this dire a time? Mark Howe rippled the mesh on a fast break, recording his second chicken scratch of the evening and putting the Vikes ahead for good with 2:46 remaining.
The Vikings next turn to Marian, who boast a shaky four-point lead for third place in the MCHA over Lawrence.
Vikings start second half of season with sweep
