The Lawrence University hockey team posted its first shutout of the season Friday night with a 5-0 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association win over Northland College at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
The Vikings ripped off four goals in the final period to seal the victory, which clinched a MCHA playoff berth for Lawrence.
Senior goaltender Evan Johnson stopped 21 shots to pick up his ninth career shutout, adding to his school record. It was the first shutout for Johnson and the Vikings since a 4-0 win over Concordia (Wis.) University on Feb. 20, 2009.
Lawrence (10-9-1, 8-7-0 MCHA) took the lead early in the second period when Josh DeSmit scored off passes from Jon Sheridan and Johnson.
The Vikings, who outshot Northland 59-21, didn’t add to that lead until 17 seconds into the third period. Matt Hughes scored just seconds before a Northland penalty elapsed to give the Vikings a 2-0 edge.
Ben DiMarco made it 3-0 at the 6:02 mark when he scored off passes from Jesse Byam-Katzman and Nate Scurfield. Scurfield then assisted on Sam Johnson’s goal just 2:26 later to make it 4-0.
The Vikings then added a goal from freshman Huck Saunders at the 16:15 mark to complete the scoring.
Daniel McIntosh stopped 54 shots but took the loss for Northland (6-12-2, 5-8-2).
The teams wrap up the two-game series on Saturday afternoon.