Complete Box Score
ERIE, Pa. - For just the second time in school history, the Mercyhurst men's hockey team played to a scoreless overtime tie, this time against the Bentley Falcons on Friday night at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. After the draw, the Lakers and Falcons have identical 4-1-1 records in Atlantic Hockey play. Mercyhurst is 5-5-1 overall, while Bentley is 4-6-2 on the season.
The only other 0-0 tie in Mercyhurst's history came at Robert Morris back on January 9, 2005. In that game, former Laker netminder Mike Ella stopped all 39 Colonial shots he faced as Mercyhurst was outshot 39-33.
Senior goaltender
Max Strang did Ella one better on Friday night, as the Gilbertsville, Pa. native turned aside all 48 shots in getting the Lakers a point in the standings. Strang was brilliant again, and, as he has done all season long, made some huge saves at critical times, including eight saves in the overtime period.
It was Strang's second shutout of the season, and second shutout of his career. He lowered his season's goals against average to 2.80 and raised his season save percentage to .927. He has been even better in conference play, allowing only 10 goals on 245 shots against Atlantic Hockey foes (.959). He has a 1.64 goals against average in six conference games.
Strang did get some help from his best friend the goalpost throughout the night. Bentley hit five pipes during the game, including two during overtime.
On the other side, Bentley's sophomore netminder Branden Komm stopped all 28 Mercyhurst shots on the night to improve his record to 4-4-2 on the season. Komm has allowed just two goals in the last three games.
Bentley held a shot advantage in all three regulation periods and in the overtime session. The Falcons outshot the Lakers 12-11 in the first period, 15-6 in the second period, 13-11 in the third period, and 8-0 in overtime.
Penalties were relatively even as well, with the Falcons assessed six minor penalties to Mercyhurst's five minors. Bentley was 0-for-3 on the power play, including a full two-minute advantage in overtime, as the Lakers'
Grant Blakey was penalized for hooking with 2:14 left in the extra period. Mercyhurst was 0-for-4 on the power play.
Mercyhurst and Bentley will conclude their weekend series on Saturday night at the Mercyhurst Ice Center. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
