The Forester men's hockey team was edged out 2-1 at Lawrence University Friday night but, thanks to action elsewhere in the league, still clinched a spot in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament, which will begin next weekend.
Marian University defeated visiting Concordia University Wisconsin 4-3, leaving Concordia unable to catch Lake Forest for third place in the MCHA's South Division. Only the top three teams in each division qualify for postseason play.
Sophomore Jason McAloon scored the Foresters' only goal on Friday. His power play goal at the 15:35 mark of the second period knotted the score at one. Classmate Mcauley Banning and freshman Robert Wiener assisted on McAloon's sixth goal of the year.
Lawrence had taken the early lead on a goal at the 6:08 mark of the opening period. The Vikings regained the advantage on a power play goal at 8:29 in the third and held on for the victory.
Forester senior goaltender Brendan Sullivan made 27 saves on the night, including 11 in the third period. He exited the game with 1:14 to play and the Foresters already on the power play but the visitors were unable to tie the score.
Lake Forest is now 9-11-4 overall this season and 6-10-3 in MCHA play. Lawrence raised its overall record to 7-15-2 and league mark to 6-11-2. The same two teams will face off again in Lake Forest Saturday night at 7:00. It will be the Foresters final home game of the season and Sullivan and fellow seniors Ben Finney, David Sharpe, and Thomas Bark will be honored before the contest.