APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University hockey team clinched the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Northern Division title with a 3-0 win over Northland College Friday night at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
The Vikings (12-9-1, 12-4-1 MCHA) now have 25 points and are in second place in the overall standings. Clinching the Northern Division gives Lawrence home ice for first round of the MCHA Playoffs on Feb. 21-22.
Lawrence goaltender Evan Johnson made 16 saves to pick up his sixth shuout of the season, which leads the nation. Daniel McIntosh kept the Lumberjacks (1-20-1, 1-15-1) in it but took the loss despite making 43 saves.
Lawrence got all its offense from three freshmen. After a scoreless first period, Lawrence got on the board when Jon Bellotti scored 3:30 into the second period off a pass from freshman defenseman Colin Smith.
The Vikings put the game away later in the third period. Freshman defenseman Jim Crowley scored his first collegiate goal with 6:44 left in the game. Sam Johnson then finished the scoring for the Vikings with 4:49 left when he scored his first collegiate goal.
Lawrence pounded out 46 shots and limited the Lumberjacks to 16, including three in the first period and two in the third.
The teams wrap up the series Saturday afternoon.