Freshman David Wrigley’s fifth goal of the season, at 3:14 of sudden death overtime, gave Mercyhurst a pulsating 1-0 win over visiting Canisius on Saturday night before nearly 1,200 fans at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
The win kept Mercyhurst unbeaten in the MAAC at 9-0-2 and in undisputed possession of first place with 20 points. The Lakers are 10-7-2 overall. Canisius dropped to 7-4-2 in the conference and to 8-8-2 on the season.
Mercyhurst senior goaltender Peter Aubry, the 2000-01 MAAC Goalie of the Year, stopped 21 shots in recording his fourth shutout of the season and remained unbeaten in the conference (8-0-1). Canisius senior Sean Weaver, the MAAC Goalie of the Year two seasons ago, was brilliant in defeat, stopping 29 of 30 Mercyhurst attempts, several from point blank range.
Wrigley ended the game when he picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and fired from 60 feet. The shot hit the inside of the post and as Weaver attempted to sweep the puck away, accidentally knocked it into his own goal.
Referee Gary Hughes called 25 penalties in the game, 13 to Mercyhurst. Canisius was 0-for-9 on the power play and Mercyhurst finished 0-for-8. Canisius had a two-man advantage for 26 seconds midway in the third period, but could not score.
The contest was the first meeting between the two teams since Mercyhurst defeated the Golden Griffins, 4-3, in the MAAC Hockey League semifinals last March. The Lakers lead the all-time series, 17-9-3. Mercyhurst and Canisius will play again Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in Buffalo.
