Freshman forward Cullen Kane had a three-point night in the Foresters 6-4 win over MSOE on Friday in front of a jam-packed Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse crowd.
The Foresters wasted little time getting on the board as sophomore forward Troy Nelson buried home a rebound at the top of the crease 1:38 into the game with assists going to freshman forward Will Lebel and sophomore forward Joey Sardina. Sardina has now recorded at least one point in five consecutive contests. Kane then netted his third goal of the year when he found himself in the right spot at 5:27 of the period. Junior forward Austin Aksoy and freshman forward Josh Giacomin assisted on the play. "I try to get to the scoring areas," began Kane. "Aksoy made a beautiful play and all I had to do was tap it in."
The Foresters headed to the locker room after 20 minutes of play on top 2-0.
The offense would erupt in the middle period with six total goals, three going to each team. Giacomin earned his first career score, throwing one on net from the top of the left circle that hit the goalie's glove and dribbled across the end line, giving the Foresters a 3-0 lead 90 seconds into the period. "It's a big relief getting the monkey off my back. More importantly we came away with two big points tonight in conference play," said Giacomin. Kane assisted on the score.
MSOE scored for the first time on the night at 7:23 but the Foresters regained their three-goal lead just 22 seconds later. Nelson dropped a pass back to Kane at the top of the right circle. Kane crossed it to junior defenseman Connor Duncan at the left circle and he put it home for his second goal of the year. The Raiders scored the next two goals within 24 seconds of one another and the Foresters found themselves ahead by just one with 7:26 to play in the middle frame.
Sophomore forward Aaron O'Neill gave the home team a little breathing room when he collected the puck just outside of the crease after a shot from the point and beat the goalie, giving Lake Forest a 5-3 lead they took into the locker room after 40 minutes of play. Junior defenseman Zach Feldman and sophomore defenseman Mark DerManulian assisted on the O'Neill's fourth score of the season.
Shots were slightly in favor of the Foresters after two, 21-20.
MSOE was able to capitalize just 5:14 into the third period on the power play, making it a one goal game once again.
The Foresters held on for the win and senior forward Cody Guidorzi scored his team leading fifth goal of the season on an empty net with just a few seconds to play in the contest. Lake Forest outshot the Raiders 13-3 in the final 20 minutes of play.
Lake Forest improved its record to 3-3-3 overall and 2-2-1 in Northern Collegiate Hockey Association play. MSOE dropped to 2-4-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the league.
The Foresters go on the road Saturday to take on NCHA South Division foe Concordia University Wisconsin. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m.
by Cam McGuire
