ERIE, Pa. – Bentley improved to 9-2 in Atlantic Hockey games with a 4-2 road victory over Mercyhurst in the series opener on Friday night.

Captain Ethan Leyh scored two goals, and defenseman Nick Bochen and sophomore Ryan Mansfield also lit the lamp.

The Falcons improved to 10-5-1 overall.

After the first 32-plus minutes of the game were scoreless Bentley fell behind at the 12:44 mark of the 2^nd period on a goal by Mercyhurst's Ryan Coughlin.

Just over six minutes elapsed until Leyh scored on the power play with 1:02 remaining in the period to tie the score. A shot by A.J. Hodges above the right faceoff circle was blocked, but Leyh corralled the rebound in the slot and beat Lakers goalie Carter McPhail with a quick shot for the goal.

After six minutes elapsed of the third period and the game still tied 1-1, Bentley struck twice in 48 seconds.

Bochen fired in a slap shot from above the left faceoff circle after taking a pass from Leyh for a power play goal, his fifth goal overall of the season, at 6:04.

Ryan Mansfield and Artem Buzoverya then combined on a give-and-go for Mansfield's third goal of the year at 6:52 and a 3-1 advantage.

The Lakers cut into Bentley's lead with a goal by Riley Fitzgerald with 3:13 remaining.

But the Falcons closed the game out when Leyh scored an empty-netter with 1:13 left for his second of the night and sixth of the year.

Connor Hasley turned away 22 shots for his eighth win.

Bentley will go for the series sweep on Saturday at 5:00 pm.