Macfarlin’s hat trick leads Lakewood over EC 7-3 in the GCHSHL

By Jacob Black

ELYRIA, Ohio – The Lakewood Rangers travel to the Elyria North Rec to take on the Elyria Catholic Panthers tonight in a GCHSHL blue division matchup. Lakewood comes in undefeated at (4-0-0) and sits atop of the division. EC comes into tonight’s game with a record of (1-3-0).

In Lakewood’s last game they defeated Garfield Heights, 12-0 on 12/10 and Elyria Catholic was beaten by Brooklyn, 7-0 on 12/8.

In the first period Lakewood was the more aggressive team, scoring the games first goal. Donny McCrae scored the goal at the 5:36 mark of the first period, Mac Macfarlin assisted on the play. Lakewood also committed two penalties both for tripping.

However, Elyria Catholic was able to tie the game at one thanks to a goal by Ryan Sustersic, assisted by Drew Beck at the 1:53 mark of the first period. And after the first period the score is tied 1-1. Lakewood outshot EC 11-9 in the first period.

The Panthers begin the second period on a power play because of the last Lakewood penalty was committed at 56.6 second mark of the first period by Payton Neal.

Lakewood’s aggressive play carried over into the second period. Elyria Catholic was unable to score, even though Lakewood committed two more penalties. Lakewood scored four goals in the period; two were short-handed.

Mac Macfarlin scored the first goal of the second period at the 13:36 mark of the second period; Payton Neal assisted him on the play. Lakewood scored their second goal at the 12:25 mark by #14, assisted by # 15.

Lakewood scored their shorthanded goals at the 1:21 mark and at the 16-second mark of the second period. Mac Macfarlin scored the first short-handed goal; Jamie Christie assisted him on the play. Mac Macfarin also scored their second shorthanded goal, unassisted.

Lakewood leads 6-1 heading into the third period. Lakewood outshot EC 19-9 in the second period.

In the third period, Lakewood continued to dominate Elyria Catholic. Lakewood committed three more penalties in the third period and at one point it was 5 on 3, advantage EC, but they could not capitalize on their chances.

The Panthers Drew Beck scored their first goal in the third period at the 9:03 mark in the period, which was unassisted. Lakewood’s Alex Aoun scored their lone goal of the third period at the 8:03 mark in the period; Jonas Hupcey assisted him on the play.

The last goal of the game was scored by EC’s Kyle Horvath at the 1:42 mark of the period, Drew Beck and Ryan Susterisc on the play. Lakewood outshot EC 14-11 in the third period.

Lakewood won 7-3, remains undefeated on the season at 5-0-0 and EC falls to 1-4-0. Lakewood’s goalie, Rob Holden made 26 saves and EC’s goalie, Kevin Hahn made 37 saves.