Lawrence University topped Northland College 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at the Appleton Family Ice Center to sweep a Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association quarterfinal playoff series.
Lawrence (14-12-1), which beat the Lumberjacks 2-1 on Friday, advances to the Harris Cup semifinals next Saturday (March 5) and faces the host school, Adrian College.
For the second consecutive game, senior forward Josh DeSmit scored the go-ahead and game-winning goal.
DeSmit took a pass from Huck Saunders and beat Northland goaltender Daniel McIntosh at the 3:43 mark of the third to give Lawrence a 2-1 lead.
Lawrence was then forced to kill off a pair of penalties to preserve the lead. Derek Brickan was sent off for interference at 7:33, and just as that penalty was expiring, Sam Johnson was whistled for tripping at 9:34.
The Vikings stymied the Lumberjacks on both power-play chances, but Lawrence would have to withstand another charge by Northland (9-16-2).
The Lumberjacks pulled McIntosh with 1:31 remaining and brought on an extra attacker. The Vikings then sealed the win a minute later when Sam Johnson scored an empty-net goal for a 3-1 Lawrence lead.
Evan Johnson stopped 29 shots for the Vikings and picked up his 13th win of the season. McIntosh made 38 saves and took the loss.
After a scoreless first period, Lawrence jumped on top at the 4:28 mark of the second when Saunders scored his fourth goal of the season. Northland tied it on Nick Hewko’s 14th goal of the season, a power-play tally, at 9:02 of the second.