Feb. 13, 2008

Erie, Pa. -

Complete Release in PDF Format

There will be plenty of scoreboard-watching during the final three weekends of the Atlantic Hockey Association's regular season. The plot thickens this weekend for Mercyhurst as the Lakers, 10-15-5 overall and 10-7-5 in Atlantic Hockey, travel to Sacred Heart. The Lakers are No. 5 in the standings with 25 points while the Pioneers, 12-13-3, 12-7-3, are tied for second with 27.

If you want parity, you've got it. Just three points separate the top five teams in the conference and only eleven separate all ten.

If Mercyhurst, 8-2-3 in its last 13 conference games, is to continue its upward climb, it will have to erase the memory of a 7-0 setback against Air Force at the Ice Center last Saturday and will have to deal with a Sacred Heart team this weekend that has proven to be a recent nenesis. Sacred Heart is 7-0-1 in the last eight games against the Lakers and has taken a 15-10-3 lead in the all-time series. The Pioneers won 3-2 in overtime November 23 at the Ice Center. The two teams played to a 2-2 tie the following night.

Sacred Heart has the No. 1 scoring offense in the conference (3.36) and No. 2 power play (.243). Both Friday and Saturday night games begin at 7:05.

Fast Facts

• The Lakers were shutout at home against Air Force Saturday for the first time since Sacred Heart posted a 5-0 win February 23, 2002.

• The seven goals allowed to Air Force Saturday were the most given up at home since the U.S. Under-18 Team scored 7 in the Lakers' 8-7 exhibition win January 31, 2006 and the most in a regular season game since Sacred Heart posted an 8-3 win February 14, 2003 at the Ice Center.

• The Lakers have scored a power play goal in eight of their last ten games but had a 4-game streak snapped (0 for 10) by Air Force Saturday.

• The four power play goals allowed against Air Force Saturday were the most in any one game this season. The Lakers gave up four at RIT February 16, 2007 in a 6-5 loss.

• The 12 penalties assessed Mercyhurst Saturday were the second most this season at home. The Lakers were hit with 15 minor penalties in a 4-2 win over Army January 16.

• Mercyhurst has already surpassed its conference wins of last season (9) with 6 conference contests left in the regular season (3h, 3a).

• The Lakers have scored more than three goals in a game only six times in their first 30 contests. They are 6-0-0 when doing so.

• Mercyhurst has played seven overtime games this season, 0-5-2. They played a club-record ten last year.

• Mercyhurst has been outshot in 20 of 30 games and has won only once (RIT) when trailing after two periods.

• Junior Matt Pierce had his first career shorthanded goal in Saturday's 3-1 win over Air Force. The Lakers have seven shorthanded goals this season.

• Freshman Dan Bremner scored his first career power play goal last Friday.

• Freshman Brandon Coccimiglio collected his team-leading 6th power play goal in Friday's win over Air Force. He is tied for the team lead in goals with 8.

• Mercyhurst and Sacred Heart combined for just two power play goals in 27 chances in the two games in Erie over Thanksgiving. The Lakers finished 1 of 16.

• The Lakers were picked to finish fourth this season in the 10-team Atlantic Hockey Association's pre-season coaches' poll. Sacred Heart was picked fifth.