Boxscore

Troy, N.Y. – The Mercyhurst College men's hockey team rode the strength of three first period goals in disposing of Rensselaer, 4-1, in the opening game of the 58^th Annual Rensselaer Holiday Tournament Friday evening at the Houston Field House. With the victory, the Lakers improve to 4-8-1 and extend their win streak to three games.

 

Seniors Ryan Toomey and Brett Robinson led the offense with a goal and an assist apiece while sophomore Steve Cameron marked his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

 

Mercyhurst broke out in the first period, connecting on three of its seven shots to take a 3-0 advantage. Toomey got the Lakers rolling when he tickled the twine off a pass from Robinson with just 55 seconds elapsed. Sophomore Phil Ginand built the lead to two with his second goal of the season near the midway point of the frame while Cameron finished off the run with a strike at the 14:51 mark.

 

After a scoreless second, Rensselaer cracked the play of sophomore Ryan Zapolski with an early goal in the third. Zapolski was near perfect in the game, stopping 39 of 40 shots to improve his record to 3-0-1.

 

The Lakers finished the game with an empty-net strike from Robinson with 1:33 remaining.

 

All five goals came on even-strength opportunities as both teams were held scoreless on the power-play. Mercyhurst was 0-for-7 while Rensselaer was 0-for-8. RPI outshot the visitors, 40-19.

 

Mercyhurst will now play No. 7 Princeton in the tournament championship game on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m.