Big first period helps Tribunes cruise
Monroe dispatched Mercyhurst Club 8-1 Monday.
ROCHESTER - The top-ranked MCC ice hockey team rode the strength of four first-period goals to an 8-1 victory over the Mercyhurst Club team Monday evening.
The Tribunes improved to 13-7 with the victory. MCC hosts regional foe Erie at 7 p.m. Wednesday night.
Tyler Underhill (Marilla, NY/St. Francis) set the tone with a goal in the first minute of the contest. Brandon Kirchens (Wheeling, IL/Wheeling), Devin Coon (Sandy Creek, NY/Sandy Creek), and Daniel Martensson (Malome, Sweden/Procivitas Gymnasium) all found back of the net as Monroe raced to a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Andrew Sanders (Bakersfield, CA/Liberty) then made it 5-0 early in the second, before Mercyhurst finally got one past Monroe goalie Rasmus Nilsson (Kungsbacka, Sweden/Elof Lindalvs Gymnasium). It would be the only goal Nilsson would allow as the sophomore finished with 23 saves.
Mike Boyd (Vancouver, BC/Sullivan Heights) scored twice and Camreon Randles (Canyon Country, CA/Pete Knight) also had a goal to round out the scoring.
Dan Turgeon (Centennial, CO/Cherokee Trail) dished out four assists for the Tribunes.