ERIE, Pa. – In a battle between two of the top teams in the nation, it was special teams that made the difference. The top-ranked Mercyhurst College women's hockey team scored four power-play goals and held No. 4 Clarkson 1-for-9 with the extra skater in a 6-3 victory over the Golden Knights Friday evening at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Playing in front of a crowd of over 1,200 fans, the Lakers moved their record to 17-1-2 on the season and extended their unbeaten streak to 12 games. The win also snapped a five-game winless streak against the Golden Knights dating back to the 2006-07 season.

Sophomore Bailey Bram and junior Vicki Bendus led the nation's top offense with four points apiece. Bram scored two goals and added two assists while Bendus added a score and three helpers. Sophomore Jess Jones found the back of the net and tallied two assists for three points.

Mercyhurst used its power play effectively through the first two periods, converting on its first four attempts before finishing the game 4-for-6.

After falling behind on a backhand shot from Dominique Thibault just 3:40 into the first, the Lakers rallied back with the next two tallies. Junior Ashley Cockell evened the game at 1-1 when she deflected in a shot from sophomore Kelley Steadman at the point at 10:29. Less than seven minutes later, Bram gave the Lakers their first lead of the game with a blast over the head of Laura Dahm on the rush at 16:48.

Clarkson stifled the momentum with a Britney Selina goal on the power play at the 18:37 mark.

The Lakers fast style of play resulted in an 18-6 advantage in shots in the first period and carried over into the second, where they would break open the game with three-straight goals.

Bendus made it a 3-2 game thanks to a back-door pass from Bram just 18 seconds into the stanza. Junior Jesse Scanzano then doubled the lead with a twirling shot from the left circle that snuck past the goalie at 6:49. Bram capped the run with her second of the night and 18th of the season at 8:13, forcing Clarkson to call a timeout down 5-2.

The Golden Knights made things interesting when Melissa Waldie scored with just six seconds remaining in the frame to take a two-goal deficit into the third. However, after three failed power-play attempts in the final period, Jones put the game out of reach with Mercyhurst's 16th short-handed goal of the season at 18:47.

Sophomore Hillary Pattenden made 28 saves to improve to 17-1-2 while Dahm recorded 37 in falling to 15-5-2. Mercyhurst finished the game with a 43-31 advantage in shots.

Mercyhurst and Clarkson close out the series on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.