The Forester men's hockey team won 5-3 at Finlandia University on Saturday to climb above the .500 mark on the season. Sophomore defensemen Mark Esshaki assisted on three of Lake Forest's goals.
With the game tied 1-1, Esshaki set up freshman forward Shawn Nelson at the 13:58 mark of the second period to give the Foresters the lead for good. It was Nelson's second score of the season. Esshaki and sophomore forward Jack Lewis assisted junior forward Ian Pichel at 18:38 and sophomore forward Manny Counsman's first career goal at 19:15 was assisted by Esshaki and Nelson.
After Finlandia closed to within 4-2 at the 2:34 mark of the third period, Pichel lit the lamp for the second time in the game and season at 11:02. He was assisted by Lewis. The Lions pulled back to within two on a power play goal at 13:17 but would get no closer.
Forester junior forward Alec DeAngelo had accounted for the only score of the opening period on an unassisted goal at 4:17.
Both teams put 30 shots on goal in the contest, but 27 of Finlandia's were turned away by Lake Forest junior goaltender Leo Podolsky. He finished the weekend series with 45 saves in 48 chances.
The Foresters improved to 4-3-2 overall and 3-2-1 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play this season. Finlandia fell to 1-8-0 overall and 1-5-0 in the league.
Lake Forest will host the College of St. Scholastica next weekend. Friday night's game will begin at 7:30 and the teams will face off again Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
