APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University hockey team held on for a 2-1 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association win over Finlandia University on Saturday and set a season record for victories.
Lawrence improved to 14-10-1 (14-5-1 MCHA) to top the season record for wins. The Vikings had set the record in 2006-07 when the team went 13-14-2.
The Vikings got on the board early in the second period after Finlandia's Corey Blake was sent off for charging. The Vikings cashed in on the power play when Pat Brenner scored to give Lawrence a 1-0 lead at 6:30.
The score stayed that way until late in the third period. Finlandia's Cody Gallegos was whistled for elbowing with only 1:48 left in the game, but Nick Jennette scored just 13 seconds later to put Lawrence up 2-0.
The game had a crazy ending when the teams were whistled for 21 penalties for a combined 114 penalty minutes with 1:10 left in the game. When the smoke cleared, the Lions had a two-man advantage. Finlandia (10-11-2, 10-8-2) cut the lead to 2-1 when Matt Wylie scored on the ensuing power play 15 seconds later.
The Lions then pulled goaltender Ryan Donovan for the final 24 seconds, but Lawrence held on for the victory. Jim Ryan made 23 saves to pick up the victory for Lawrence.
Lawrence opens the MCHA Playoffs next weekend against an opponent to be determined.