The Lake Forest College men's hockey team suffered its fifth one-goal loss in the last eight contests Saturday, a 5-4 decision at Finlandia University. Forester sophomore Craig McDowell scored a pair of power play goals on the day.
The visitors got on the scoreboard first midway through the opening period on freshman Curran Forgue's second score of the season. He was assisted by classmates Jason McAloon and Mcauley Banning. Finlandia outshot the Foresters 12-8 in the period and evened the score with 31 seconds on the clock.
The Lions took the lead at the 3:43 mark of the second period but McDowell's first power play goal of the contest tied the score at 12:24. Sophomore Mike Violette and freshman Charlie Stein assisted on the play. Finlandia regained the lead at 18:09 and was still ahead 3-2 at the second intermission.
The home team appeared to have put the game out of reach with goals at 5:40 and 14:43 in the third period. However, minor penalties were assessed to both teams at 14:57 and again at 15:34 and a pair of Lions were sent to the penalty box at 16:11, setting up an opportunity for the Foresters to get back in the game. Lake Forest pulled its goalie and McDowell made that decision pay off at 18:09. His fourth goal of the year was assisted by freshman Anthony Martinez and senior Ben Finney. The goalie was off the ice again for a power play goal by sophomore Roberto Caparelli at 18:48. Martinez and freshman Luke Swardenksi were each credited with an assist on Caparelli's fourth score of the season. The visitors were unable to light the lamp again, however, as Finlandia held on for the victory.
Lake Forest had a 23-14 edge in shots on goal in the final two periods and a 31-26 advantage in the game.
The Foresters fell to 1-16-0 overall and 1-11-0 in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association. Finlandia is now 4-12-0 overall and 4-8-0 in the MCHA.
Lake Forest will play a home-and-home series with Concordia University Wisconsin next weekend. The teams will face off in Mequon, Wisconsin, Friday night at 7:30 and in Lake Forest the following evening at 7:00. The Foresters' annual Peter Taylor Award will be presented at the first intermission of Saturday night's contest.
