Mercyhurst remained unbeaten in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 6-2 win over visiting Iona Friday night at the Ice Center.
The win improved Mercyhurst’s record to 14-7-2 overall and to 13-0-2 in the conference. The Gaels had a four-game unbeaten string snapped and fell to 9-10-2 overall and 8-5-2 in the MAAC.
Iona got on the scoreboard first when freshman forward Brent Williams beat Mercyhurst goaltender Peter Aubry at 8:12 of the first. Williams’ 10th of the season was assisted by linemate Kelly Bararuk and defenseman Brian Schroeder.
Mercyhurst took the lead for good with a pair of goals 2:19 apart later in the period. Sophomore forward Peter Rynshoven nailed a power-play goal at 11:21 and senior Brad Olsen scored even strength at 13:40. Rynshoven’s seventh of the year was helped by linemates Rich Hansen and Adam Tackaberry while Olsen was assisted by winger Mike Carter.
Mercyhurst took a 3-1 lead at 13:40 of the second when Hansen banged home a power-play goal, his sixth tally of the year, assisted by Tackaberry and senior center Louis Goulet.
But Iona got a gift just 39 seconds later when Aubry came out to clear the puck from the left circle, but put it right on the stick of Williams, who popped it into an open net.
After Iona drew to within 3-2 in the second, it had a five-minute power play and a two-man advantage for 1:19 but couldn’t score. The Mercyhurst penalty killing unit has now stopped 67 of its last 69 shorthanded situations.
The third period was all Mercyhurst. Tackaberry scored unassisted at 8:51, Olsen got his second of the game on a power play at 14:38, and Rynshoven completed the scoring with his second of the night at 16:08.
Mercyhurst outshoot Iona 35-27. Aubry stopped 25 shots to remain unbeaten in the conference at 11-0-1. Freshman Scott Galenza stopped 29 shots for the Gaels as his overall record fell to 5-8-1.
Mercyhurst converted three of 10 power plays, while the Gaels were 0 for 6. The game was not one for the faint of heart. Iona was penalized 12 times for 46 minutes while the Lakers were nabbed 10 times for 42.
The two teams will meet again Saturday night at the Ice Center at 7 p.m.
