The Misericordia University hockey team dropped a hard-fought 8-4 decision in their second semester opener at Alvernia, Friday.

In a back-and-forth game, the Cougars pulled within 5-4 late in the third period, but the Crusaders tacked on three goals over the last two minutes.

Charles Obobaifo, Nicholas Solema, Jack Tos and Ethan Hollingsworth all scored for the Cougars while Shane Ward, Jonathan Lush and Brendan Vettraino added two assists each.

Obobaifo cut the deficit to a goal at 13:07 of the third period and the Cougars went with an extra attacker and put two shots on net before Alvernia tallied two empty-net goals to take a 7-4 lead.  The Crusaders scored on a two-on-one at 19:28 to close out the scoring.

The Cougars took an early lead on a goal by Tos at 5:12.  Abraham Laggis forced a turnover deep in the Alvernia zone which eventually led to a tough-angle shot by Ward from the left circle.  Tos stuffed home the rebound to give MU a 1-0 lead.

Alvernia scored a power play goal to pull even at 17:56.

MU killed off a penalty to open the second period, but the Crusaders  squeezed a shot inside the left post just two minutes later to take a 2-1 lead.

The Crusaders scored again at 18:11 and seemed headed to intermission with a 3-1 lead.  Lush sent a shot wide of the net and gathered his own rebound along the right boards.  His shot from the blue line was tipped by Vettraino and Solema scored on the backhand with just 10 seconds to go in the second period.

The Cougars kept the momentum early in the third period as Vettraino skated into the Alvernia and played the puck to Ward who centered to Hollingsworth who went five-hole for the tying goal at 2:38.

Alvernia regained the lead just four minutes later and took a 5-3 lead at 12:18.

Obobaifo scored less than a minute later to make it 5-4.