HANCOCK, Mich. -- The Finlandia University hockey team scored three times in the second period and went on to a 5-3 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association victory Saturday afternoon over Lawrence University.
The Lawrence loss, coupled with MSOE's victory over Marian College, means the Vikings (10-12-3, 10-9-1 MCHA) will be on the road for the start of the MCHA playoff. Lawrence will play a two-game series at MSOE next Friday and Saturday.
Finlandia (15-8-2, 14-6-0) led 1-0 after the first period on Keith Johnstone's goal with 2:25 left in the opening 20 minutes. Brad Van Tassel made it 2-0 when he scored at 9:05 of the second. The Vikings cut that lead in half on Matt Jacobs' eighth goal of the year at 11:51.
The Vikings were on the power play after Matt Manninen was called for roughing at 13:20, but it was the Lions who converted. Corey Blake scored a short-handed goal at 14:08 to put Finlandia up 3-1. The Lions made it 4-1 with 2:20 left in the second period on Ryan Sullivan's goal.
Lawrence battled back early in the third period when Josh Peterson scored on the power play to cut the lead to 4-2. Finlandia countered with a power-play goal of their own, as Sullivan scored at 6:50.
The game deteriorated a bit, as 11 penalties were called in the next 11 minutes. Lawrence got the final goal of the night when Marc Howe scored with 1:37 remaining.
Evan Johnson made 22 saves and took the loss for Lawrence. Ryan Donovan made 17 saves to earn the victory.