APPLETON, Wis. -- Jonathon Sheridan's goal with 31 seconds left lifted the Lawrence University hockey team to a 3-2 exhibition victory over the Soo Thunderbirds Friday night at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
Sheridan broke the 2-2 tie with his shot from the left face-off circle that beat goaltender Ryan McDonald. Marc Howe and Josh DeSmit both picked up assists on the goal.
Evan Johnson made 22 saves to pick up the win for Lawrence. McDonald sopped 17 shots for the Thunderbirds, who play junior hockey in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Lawrence grabbed a 1-0 lead on Howe's unassisted goal 16:22 into the second period. The Vikings took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission when Nick Jennette scored off assists from Howe and DeSmit with only 1:04 left in the second.
Trevor McNutt cut the lead in half when he scored for the Thunderbirds 6:38 into the final period. The Vikings then killed off a 5-on-3 power play, but Nick Minardi scored just 10 seconds after the Vikings got back to even strength to tie the game at 2-2 with 1:54 left.
The Thunderbirds went 0-for-10 on the power play, and Lawrence was 0-for-6.
Lawrence opens the regular season on Oct. 28 when it hosts defending NCAA Division III champion St. Norbert College.