Vikings rally in final period to top Finlandia

Lawrence University scored four times in the final 13 minutes on Friday to rally for a 5-2 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association victory over Finlandia University at the Appleton Family Ice Center.

Lawrence (10-9-3, 9-5-3 MCHA) trailed 2-1 after Finlandia (7-14-0, 7-10-0) scored early in the third, but the Vikings exploded to score the game’s final four goals.

Lawrence enjoyed a 58-25 edge in shots, but the Vikings managed only one goal through the first two periods. Phil Bushbacher’s goal at 1:51 of the second gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead, but Finlandia scored late in the second period to tie it and 2:16 into the third to take the lead.

William Thoren’s power-play goal for the Vikings at the 8:39 mark of the third tied the score at 2-2. Lawrence finished 1-for-7 on the power play. Finlandia was 0-for-4.

The Vikings then grabbed the lead on Paul Zuke’s goal at the 13:13 mark. Lawrence quickly poured it on when Sam Johnson scored just over a minute later at 14:19 to grab a 4-2 advantage.

The Lions then pulled goaltender Mike Wuthrich, and Lawrence’s Matt Hughes scored an empty-net goal just eight seconds later to give Lawrence a 5-2 lead with just 1:25 left.

Peter Emery made 23 saves and picked up his 10th win of the season for the Vikings. Wuthrich made 53 saves and took the loss.

The two teams wrap up the series on Saturday afternoon.

Box score