Oct. 12, 2007

Stats

Dayton, Ohio -

GALLERY

The 19th-ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State needed two third period power play goals to overcome valiant Mercyhurst 2-1 Friday night to conclude first-day action at the annual Lefty McFadden Tournament. #14 Wisconsin won the earlier game over #7 Notre Dame 4-1. Ohio State and Wisconsin will meet for the championship tomorrow night at 7:35 while the Lakers will battle the Fighting Irish at 4:35 in the consolation tilt.

After a scoreless first period, one in which the Lakers outshot the Buckeyes 13-10, Mercyhurst senior forward Ryan Toomey cashed a power play opportunity early in the second period to give the Lakers a 1-0 advantage. Mercyhurst was outshot 17-5 in the middle frame, but kept OSU off the board thanks to the stellar play of junior transfer goaltender Matt Lundin.

The Buckeyes tied the game early in the third when Tommy Goebel beat Lundin with OSU up a man. Ohio State notched the eventual game-winner nine minutes later when Peter Boyd lit the lamp during the Buckeyes fourth power playu of the game. The Lakers had plenty of chances late in the game when Ohio State took a penalty in the last minute and Lundin went to the bench for another attacker, but couldn't get the equalizer.

Lundin was brilliant in defeat, stopping 46 of 48 Ohio State shots. All three goals in the contest came on the power play. Mercyhurst finished one of five with the extra skater while OSU cashed two of four chances.

Ohio State won for the second time in three meetings with Mercyhurst. The teams splt two prior games played in Columbus.

Mercyhurst and Notre Dame have met three times previously with the Fighting Irish winning all three contests. ND prevailed 7-3 at the Erie Civic Center in 1987, the Lakers first season of varsity competition. Notre Dame then won back-to-back meetings in South Bend in late 1990 by scores of 7-3 and 7-6. All three games were played when the Lakers were members of Division III.