Jan. 16, 2007

Stats

Buffalo, NY - Junior forward Matt Warren scored twice and senior goalie Jordan Wakefield made 31 saves as Mercyhurst and Canisius played to a 2-2 overtime tie Tuesday night at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. The Lakers left town with a 4-16-5 record and a 4-12-3 slate in Atlantic Hockey. The Griffs are now 6-16-2 and 6-11-2 respectively.

The game was scoreless until Canisius freshman forward Vincent Amigone beat Wakefield at 12:14 of the second. But Warren scored his second of the season just 69 seconds later with help from sophomores Chris Trafford and Matt Pierce.

The game remained tied until Warren connected for his second of the game on an early third period power play. The power play goal snapped a seven-game and 0 for 30 dry spell in that regard for the Lakers. But the Golden Griffins knotted the affair less than three minutes later on the 10th lamplighter of the season by freshman winger Jason Weeks. The teams were scoreless for the final 16 minutes of the third and the five-minute overtime.

It was Warren's third two-goal game of his career. His first came January 28, 2005, in a 5-4 loss at Bentley. His second occurred January 21, 2006, in a 7-1 victory over American International at the Ice Center.

The Lakers have now played eight overtime games this season (0-3-5). The one-season mark of nine was set in 2004-05.

Despite the tie, the Lakers are without a win (0-8-2) since an 8-3 verdict at American International on December 2, a span of ten games.

Canisius outshot Mercyhurst by a slight 33-30 margin> The Lakers cashed one of four power play chances while the Griffs were 0 for 5.

Wakefield (1-8-2) made his eighth straight start between the pipes while freshman Andrew Loewen (6-6-2) went all the way for Canisius. The Lakers lead the all-time series 28-13-6. The two teams will conclude the regular season in Erie on Saturday, February 24.

Mercyhurst will return home to play Bentley Friday andf Saturday nights at 7.