The Lake Forest College men's hockey team defeated visiting Finlandia University 3-1 Saturday afternoon to complete a weekend sweep of the Lions. Forester junior defenseman Ben Certo scored the official game-winning goal and assisted on another score.
Certo's power play goal at the 2:11 mark of the third period gave the Foresters a 2-0 lead. Senior forward Mike Violette assisted on Certo's second score of the season.
Finlandia, however pulled back to within one at the 8:26 mark but it would be the Lions' only goal of the afternoon off Forester freshman goaltender Billy Cooper. Cooper finished with 19 saves and improved his record on the season to 2-1-0.
Lake Forest added an insurance goal off the stick of junior forward Bobby Barrett at 12:36. Certo assisted on Barrett's team-high eighth goal in seven games this year. He entered the season having scored eight goals in 44 contests over the last two seasons.
The Foresters' first goal of the game was scored by junior forward Mcauley Banning at the 8:49 mark of the opening period. He was assisted by junior defenseman Charlie Stein.
Lake Forest improved to 5-2-0 overall this season and 4-2-0 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play. Finlandia fell to 0-8-0 overall and 0-6-0 in the league.
The Foresters will play a pair of non-conference games at St. Mary's University next weekend. The teams will face off at 7:00 Friday night and Saturday afternoon at 2:00.