COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. – Behind a career-high 49-save performance from junior Ryan Zapolski, the Mercyhurst College men's hockey team was able to overcome a 52-shot attack and tie Air Force, 3-3, in front of 2,011 fans Friday evening at Cadet Arena. The Lakers, unbeaten in their last seven games, move to 8-9-2 on the season and 8-5-2 in Atlantic Hockey play.

Zapolski surpassed his previous career mark of 46 saves last set against Princeton with 16 saves in the first period, 13 in the second, 14 in the third and six in the overtime session. It was his sixth 40-plus save game of his career and third against Air Force.

Air Force outshot the Lakers 16-1 in the opening period but came up empty-handed as the reigning AHA Goaltender of the Week held the Falcons in check. Despite the effort, the Falcons would get two by him early in the second. Stephen Carew and Matt Fairchild scored less than two minutes apart at 13:10 and 14:51 to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.

Mercyhurst rallied from that point, scoring three straight over a span of 10:51 that bridged the second and third periods. Junior Mike Gurtler cut the deficit in half with a deflection on the doorstep at 16:41. Sophomore Derek Elliott then cleared the slate with just 1:55 elapsed in the third. After a short break, junior Scott Pitt put the Lakers out in front for the first time at 7:55.

However, the lead would be short-lived as Jeff Hajner beat Zapolski at the 9:00 mark to tie the game at 3-3.

Both teams played fairly even after the first period with Air Force holding a 30-25 edge in shots over the remainder of regulation and a 6-3 advantage in overtime. On specials teams, both teams were shutout as Air Force went 0-for-4 on the power play while Mercyhurst was 0-for-5.

Mercyhurst and Air Force resume the two-game series on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7:05 p.m. at Cadet Arena.