Jan. 13, 2007

Stats

West Point, NY - Army snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period and went on to edge stubborn Mercyhurst 2-1 Saturday night at Tate Rink to sweep the weekend series. The Lakers, 4-16-4 overall and 4-12-2 in Atlantic Hockey, played again without the services of both Ben Cottreau and Scott Champagne, first and third on the team in scoring. Army, 6-3 winners Friday, improved to 10-8-3 and 10-5-3 respectively.

The teams were scoreless until 15:47 of the second when Army senior forward Michael Picone put one behind Mercyhurst senior netminder Jordan Wakefield. The Lakers got the equalizer early in the third when junior forward Ryan Toomey, with help from senior Kyle Gourgon and sophomore Kirk Medernach, nailed his 6th of the year against Army sophomore Josh Kassel. But the Black Knights got the eventual game-winner six minutes later when junior winger Luke Flicek sent a pass to freshman forward Owen Meyer. Meyer slid the puck underneath Wakefield who dove in an attempt to knock it away. Mercyhurst pulled Wakefield in the last minute of regulation, but could not get the equalizer.

Both teams had 23 shots on goal and were 0 for 5 on the power play. Mercyhurst still leads the all-time series 14-7 but Army has won five of the last six meetings.

The Lakers haven't won in the last nine games (0-8-1), not since an 8-3 verdict at conference-rival American International on December 2. Mercyhurst is now 1-5 in one-goal games, including three overtime setbacks, and 1-5 in two-goal contests.

Mercyhurst will visit Canisius Tuesday night to conclude a three-game road trip before returning to the Ice Center next Friday and Saturday to entertain Bentley. Canisius is 1-0-1 against the Lakers this season. Canisius took a 3-1 verdict at home November 17 before rallying from a two-goal third period deficit in Erie the next night to salvage a 3-3 draw. The Lakers lead the all-time series 28-13-5.

Mercyhurst won four of five games against Bentley last season but the Falcons won the finale 3-2 in double overtime in the conference semifinals. Mercyhurst leads the all-time series 20-5-2.