Jan. 30, 2007

Erie, Pa - Mercyhurst Club hockey has suffered a disappointing start to the New Year going 0-6-1 since its solid weekend performance against Robert Morris College in mid-December.

Some players have been in and out of the line-up with different illnesses and several key players have suffered various injuries throughout. During its weekend contests against Niagara University, injuries and illnesses contributed to a shorter bench then usual. Mercyhurst entered into their home and home series against Niagara with only 14 skaters, losing both of its contests by scores of 4-0 and 3-2 in a 14 round shootout.

Most recently, the team traveled down to Athens, OH to play the #3 team in the nation. The match-up against Ohio University marked the first time these two teams have played since their last meeting at the 2006 National Tournament in West Chester, PA, where Ohio defeated Mercyhurst by a score of 3-2.

Although Mercyhurst was able to weather the storm and flurry of the Ohio attack with some of the best goaltending Coach McKinnon has ever seen, Mercyhurst was unable to come out on top on the score sheet losing both contests by scores of 5-3 and 3-2, respectively.

Since the beginning of 2007, Mercyhurst has dropped 2 games to the defending National Champions from the University of Rhode Island, has lost a hard fought battle to a much improved team from Duquesne University, dropped 2 games against divisional rivals from Niagara University and most recently came up a little short, losing 2 games to perennial powerhouse and the #3 team in the nation-Ohio University.

The Lakers hope to right the ship this coming weekend with home games against Syracuse University and the University at Buffalo.