Feb. 29, 2008

Stats

Buffalo, N.Y. - There was good news and bad news for Mercyhurst Friday night. On the plus side, the Lakers will host an Atlantic Hockey Association best 2-of-3 quarterfinal series next weekend at the Ice Center. On the down side, Canisius scored four goals in the second period and went on to defeat the Lakers 5-3 in Buffalo. Mercyhurst dropped to 11-18-6 overall and to 11-10-6 in the conference. The Golden Griffins improved to 11-18-5 and 10-13-4 respectively.

Mercyhurst needed some help to secure a "top five" spot and got it from RIT, which beat Bentley 5-2. The Falcons were the last team to have a chance to displace Mercyhurst as a "top five" team. The "top five" in AH host a quarterfinal series next weekend. Mercyhurst's opponent won't be determined until after the regular season concludes Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, one dominated by Mercyhurst in shots 15-5, the teams combined for six goals, four by the Golden Griffins, in the first eleven minutes of the second. Canisius got goals from Jason Weeks (0:33), Spencer Churchill (1:15), and Kyle Bushee (pp, 3:27) before Mercyhurst retaliated on sophomore Chris Risi's third of the year at 4:08. Risi's lamplighter was helped by Cullen Eddy and Nick Vandenbeld. The Griffs restored the three-goal lead when Greg Brown got the eventual game-winner at 7:45. Brown's goal caused the exit of Mercyhurst junior goaltender Matt Lundin (9-11-5) in favor of freshman Ryan Zapolski. The move paid an immediate dividend when senior Ben Cottreau collected a power play goal, his 10th of the year, at 10:51. Cottreau was assisted by Matt Pierce. The Lakers left the ice after forty minutes trailing 4-2 despite outshooting Canisius 17-11 in the second frame and 32-16 overall.

Mercyhurst got closer in the third when Cottreau scored his second power play goal of the game at 10:39. Brett Robinson and Pierce helped. But Canisius ended the comeback when Bushee scored his second of the game, into an empty net, with just 13 seconds left. Both teams took seven shots in the third period.

Mercyhurst finished 2 of 7 with the man advantage while Canisius wound up 1 of 4. The Lakers owned a 39-23 advantage in shots.

The win gave Canisius a 2-1 lead in the season series and catapulted the Golden Griffins into a sixth place tie with Bentley in the conference. Either Canisius or Bentley will be in Erie next weekend for a quarterfinal series. A possible preview awaits Erie fans Saturday night when Mercyhurat and Canisius close the weekend series - and regular season - with a 7:05 contest at the Ice Center. The Lakers will recognize their four seniors before the game.