The hockey team entered last weekend’s doubleheader looking to bounce back from an ugly series in which they were outscored 15-4 in two losses. Their opponent, Marian College, came into the weekend boasting an unbeaten record over their past six games.
Early in Game 1, Lawrence attackers showed their speed, creating fast break after fast break, and managed any quick changes of momentum from Marian with ease. Lawrence defenders let little leak through, and what did manage to get through was mopped up by Goalie Daniel Ljung, who looked smooth throughout.
The Vikings’ early hustle paid off when senior Pete Mossberg lit the lamp after a scramble in front of the Marian net. The Vikes convincingly held their opponents at bay until a rejuvenated Marian team started the third period at a torrid pace, firing shot after shot through a worn Lawrence defense. A delay-of-game call on Lawrence’s Josh Peterson came at the right time for Marian who capitalized on the ensuing power play and evened the score at 1, managing to trickle one past a sprawling Daniel Ljung.
It seemed the Vikes would prevail when they took the lead with less than two minutes remaining on a beauty from Kalle Larsson but were heartbroken when Marian scored off the next face-off with 50 seconds left in regulation, making the score 2-2. Marian carried the momentum into overtime, where an exhausted Vikings team managed only 1 shot to Marian’s 8, but Lawrence escaped with a tie.
Game 2 picked up right where Game 1 left off – with a dominating showing from a Marian squad who controlled the puck for much of the game and capitalized on solid passing that created opportunities. A frustrated Lawrence squad was forced to take mostly long-range shots, many of them meeting metal, not net.
“I hit the post six times over the weekend, and four on Saturday,” said Freshman Mitch Sabo. “We didn’t get any of the bounces.”
Despite 2 goals from Evan Thornton and another from Josh Peterson, the Vikes couldn’t hold off a hungry Marian team that really poured it on for a 5-goal second period en route to a 7-3 victory.
After a week off to prepare, the MCHA will gather in the Appleton Family Ice Center March 3-5 as Lawrence hosts the MCHA tournament.