Jan. 20, 2006

Box Score

Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst broke open a tight game with three early second period goals and went on from there to defeat visiting American International College 7-2 Friday night before nearly 800 fans at the Ice Center. The Lakers won their third straight game, all in Atlantic Hockey, as they improved to 14-8-0 overall and to 14-4-0 in the conference. Mercyhurst now has 26 points as it stretched its conference lead to five points. The Yellow Jackets dropped to 4-13-2 and 4-10-2.

The Lakers got on the board at 2:16 of the first period when junior forward Scott Champagne scored his 12th of the season from sophomore forward Matt Warren. The Yellow Jackets wasted little time in tying the contest as junior forward Jeremy Leroux collected his third of the season at 2:39. Mercyhurst junior defenseman Jamie Hunt broke the stalemate late in the period with his 8th of the year from freshman winger Mike Floyd and senior defenseman Preston Briggs at 17:48. Mercyhurst outshot AIC 15-7 in the first twenty minutes.

Mercyhurst exploded for three early second period goals - a power play, an even strength, and a shorthanded - to take charge of the game. Freshman winger Chris Trafford scored the power play, game-winning marker, with Hunt's help, at 3:30. Hunt followed 13 seconds later with his second of the game from senior defenseman Conrad Martin and sophomore forward Ryan Toomey while sophomore forward Ben Cottreau tallied shorthanded, from senior forward Dave Borrelli and freshman defenseman Kirk Medernach, at 5:02. AIC junior winger Neil Sullivan closed the gap to 5-2 with his 4th of the season, a power play score, at 9:50. Mercyhurst outshot AIC 14-13 in the second.

Mercyhurst added two final goals in the third. Senior winger Dave Borrelli cashed his team-leading 15th of the year, a power play, at 8:53. Hunt and Cottreau helped. Sophomore forward Matt Warren scored the final goal of the game from Champagne and junior winger Kyle Gourgon at 16:37. AIC had an 11-8 advantage in shots in the final period, but the Lakers had a 37-31 advantage for the contest.

Freshman goalie Tyler Small picked up his 6th win of the season and 5th in Atlantic Hockey. Both freshmen Tom Fenton and Coby Robinson saw action for AIC. Fenton started, allowed four goals in nearly 25 minutes of work, and took the loss. The Lakers converted 2 of 6 power plays while the Yellow Jackets finished 1 of 7.

Mercyhurst improved its all-time record against AIC to 19-1-1. Thee two teams will conclude the weekend series Saturday night at 7:00pm.