WINONA, Minn. -- A big second period was the difference Tuesday as the Lawrence University men's hockey team dropped an 8-4 nonconference decision to Saint Mary's University at Saint Mary's Ice Arena.
    The game was tied 2-2 early in the second period, but the Cardinals scored the next four goals to pull away.
    Lawrence jumped out in front at the 13:10 mark of the opening period as Cory Checco scored off assists from Miles McCue and PJ Noonan. Saint Mary's tied it just over a minute later and the game would be deadlocked 1-1 after one period.
    The Cardinals scored just 32 seconds into the second period, but Lawrence answered immediately. Checco scored 47 seconds later off assists by McCue and Kyle Gierman to even the score at 2-2.
    Saint Mary's then scored four goals in the next 10 minutes to race out to a 6-2 advantage. 
    Cole Schneider pulled the Vikings to 6-3 when he scored off assists from Gierman and Ethan Beaumont at the 15:21 mark of the second. Saint Mary's struck with a goal with just 15 seconds left to grab a 7-3 edge heading to the third.
    Saint Mary's added a goal midway through the period, and Jeb Dee finished the scoring with a goal off an assist by Beaumont at the 12:20 mark for the final margin.
    Matt Sanker made 23 saves to get the win for the Cardinals. Nolan Mahaffey made 18 saves but allowed six goals before being relieved in net by Owen Carlson. Carlson made seven saves over the final 26:25 for the Vikings.