ERIE, Pa. – Two-goal performances from Jack Billings and Ludwig Stenlund and a 26-save night from Brian Wilson helped vault the Niagara men's hockey team past Mercyhurst on Friday night. The Purple Eagles cruised to the 5-0 win thanks to a four-goal second period.
 
Game Recap

• Niagara got the first shots on net early, with Reed Robinson, Ryan Cook, and Brandon Stanley all testing Garrett Metcalf in the opening minutes.
• Alex Truscott notched his first of the season early in the second period. A Mercyhurst turnover in their own half allowed Truscott to skate in easily and put the puck bar down for the 1-0 lead.
• Moments after being freed from the penalty box, Ludwig Stenlund camped in front of the Lakers' net as the Purple Eagles set up their offense. Noah Delmas took a long shot that got through to the goalie, and Stenlund swatted the rebound in to make it a 2-0 game.
• Nearing the midway point of the second period, the Lakers flipped the ice and generated a quick rush that produced a good chance, but Brian Wilson was able to fend off the Mercyhurst attack with a sprawling save to protect his crease.
• On their third penalty kill of the second period, Niagara turned the Lakers' 10th-ranked power play inside-out with four minutes left in the frame. Ryan Naumovski bolted into the Mercyhurst zone on a clean breakaway, but was unable pot the puck.
• The Purple Eagles scored once again just seconds after successfully killing off their third penalty of the period. Jack Billings sent a pass across the ice but it hit a Mercyhurst skate and was redirected in for Niagara's third goal of the period.
• 92 seconds later, Billings netted his second of the contest and his fourth of the season to put the Purple Eagles up 4-0 at the break.
• On the power play with three minutes left in the third period, Stenlund registered his second goal of the evening to put the Niagara lead at 5-0. Billings and Stenlund were both parked next to the Lakers' net, and Billings' crossing pass was rifled home from in close by his sophomore linemate.

 
Beyond The Boxscore

• Wilson's 26-save performance earned him the fourth shutout of his career.
• Stenlund matched his career highs for goals (2), assists (2), and points (4) in a game. His first four-point outing came against Canisius on November 17, 2018.
• Niagara scored four goals in a period for the first time since a win over Mercyhurst on January 18, 2019. The Purple Eagles struck four times in the third period on their way to a 7-3.

 
Up Next

• The same two teams will play again tomorrow night at Dwyer Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. And as always, Coach Lammers encourages all fans to attend his public press conference following the conclusion of the game.

 
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