Michael Cunningham’s goal propels Rochester to an 8-7 triumph over Muskegon.
HENRIETTA, N.Y. — The Rochester Lancers concluded the MASL 2 regular season with an 8-7 overtime victory over the Muskegon Risers on Saturday night at the Dome Arena.
The win gives the Lancers an 8-4 record as they already secured a playoff berth with their win Friday night over the Detroit Waza Flo (7-5) for second place in the Eastern Division.
The match was tied 4 times and had 3 lead changes.
The Risers netted the only 2 goals in the first quarter as the Lancers responded by scoring 3 times in the second period. Austin Gerber and David Wright found the back of the net to tie the game. Jeremy Ortiz scored with 12 seconds left in the half to give the Lancers the advantage at halftime, 3-2.
Muskegon came out in the third stanza and tallied 4 times to pull ahead 6-3 entering the fourth quarter.
Michael Cunningham and Jake Schindler combined for a pair of goals 83 seconds apart early in the fourth period to cut the deficit to one. Irondequoit native Schindler set up both Cunningham markers.
Ortiz fired home the tying goal (6-6) on a shorthanded play.
The Risers regained the lead with a power play tally midway through the quarter, but Zikrit Osmic booted home the equalizer with 6:12 left in regulation to send the game into overtime.
Once again Schindler and Cummingham worked together to tally the game-winner as Cunningham completed his hat trick.
The Lancers next game will be in the playoffs.