Mercyhurst vs. No. 2 Denver Boxscore

DENVER, Co. – Despite a 44-save performance from junior Ryan Zapolski, the Mercyhurst College men's hockey team suffered a 4-1 setback at the hands of No. 2 Denver on Friday evening at Magness Arena. With the loss, the Lakers fall to 12-15-2 on the season and 0-7 outside of Atlantic Hockey play.

Zapolski held the Pioneers to two even-strength goals and a 2-for-7 clip on the power play in recording his second-highest save total of the season. 

Denver, playing in front of a home crowd of 5,365 fans, built a 3-0 lead through the first two periods. Chris Knowlton and Luke Salazar scored at 8:18 and 17:59 of the first period before Anthony Maiani netted an unassisted marker at 8:59 of the second. 

Mercyhurst got on the scoreboard with freshman Grant Blakey's sixth goal of the season at the 15:01 mark of the third period. Sophomore Derek Elliott and junior Jeff Terminesi registered assists on the score.

The Pioneers capped the game when Joe Colborne scored less than a minute later at 15:51.

Mercyhurst outshot Denver 16-13 in the third period but fell behind for the game, 48-33, as the Pioneers held advantages of 18-8 and 17-9 in the first two periods. Adam Murray improved his record 3-3-1 on the season with 32 stops.

The Lakers conclude their tour of Colorado on Saturday, Feb. 6 with a 7:07 p.m. contest at No. 10 Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Co.