The Lawrence University hockey team opened Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association play on Friday night with a 5-1 victory over Concordia (Wis.) University and Vikings head coach Mike Szkodzinski became the winningest coach in school history in the process.
Szkodzinski, just starting his fifth season at Lawrence, picked up career win No. 51 to pass Dave Ruhly for the top spot on the all-time list.
Lawrence scored three times in the third period to break open a close game, and several Vikings had career firsts in the contest.
Lawrence led 1-0 after the first on Jacob Esch’s goal at the 8:02 mark. William Thoren scored his first career goal at the 15:23 mark of the second to give Lawrence a 2-0 lead.
The Vikings then broke it open midway through the third period. Brandon Berquam got his first career goal at 11:04, and Josh DeSmit followed with a power-play goal at 11:38 to make it 4-0.
Ben Friedman scored his first career goal late in the third period to round out the scoring for the Vikings.
Evan Johnson made 28 saves to pick up the win for the Vikings.