Lake Forest College, the seventh-ranked team in the nation, fell behind 3-0 in the second period before rallying for a 5-4 victory at Milwaukee School of Engineering Tuesday night.
After a scoreless first period, the Raiders scored twice in the first six minutes of the second and added a third goal at the 8:49 mark. Lake Forest sophomore forward Will Lebel, however, began the comeback just 27 seconds later with the first of his two goals on the night. Fellow sophomore forward Zach Leoonard added his second score of the season at the 10:51 mark and the visitors trailed by just one going into the third period.
Lebel's team-high-tying eighth goal of the year tied the score a minute and 45 seconds into the third and the sixth of the year for freshman forward Drew Shields put the visitors on top exactly five minutes later. Sophomore forward Josh Giacomin, who assisted on both of Lebel's scores, netted a power play goal at 8:56 with junior forward Aaron O'Neill picking up his second assist of the night.
Giacomin's tally changed from an insurance goal to the official game-winner as MSOE closed back to within one with 7:31 on the clock.
The victory in net was the first of freshman Carson Poulin's career, who entered the game after the second Raider score.
After being out-shot 10-9 in the opening period, Lake Forest had a 13-10 edge in the second and a commanding 13-4 advantage in the third.
The mid-week victory improved the Foresters' overall record to 14-2-1 and was the team's 11th Northern Collegiate Hockey Association win in 12 league games this season. MSOE fell to 6-7-4 overall and 1-7-4 in conference play.
Lake Forest will attempt to extend its nine-game winning streak, which is tied for the second-longest run in program history, against the College of St. Scholastica this weekend. Friday evening's contest will begin at 6:00 and Saturday afternoon's Alumni Day game is set to start at 3:00.
