Complete Game Notes
MADISON, Wisconsin - The Mercyhurst men's hockey team spent its Thanksgiving holiday on a bus in the wee hours of the morning, then on an airplane to Madison, Wisconsin, then finally on the ice at the Kohl Center in preparation for a weekend series with the Badgers of Wisconsin. Faceoffs are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday night and 8 p.m. on Saturday night.
It marks the third and fourth meetings between the two schools, with the Lakers getting swept by the Badgers in Madison back on October 15 and 16, 2004 by the scores of 3-2 and 8-0.
The Kohl Center holds more than 15,000 seats and the average attendance for Wisconsin's eight home games this season exceeds 11,000. Attendance for both Mercyhurst games this weekend is expected to be right around season average.
The Lakers enter the weekend red-hot. After starting the season 0-4 in Omaha, Nebraska and Fairbanks, Alaska, Mercyhurst is 6-1-1 in its last eight games to move a game over .500 at 6-5-1 overall. More importantly, the Lakers are in sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Hockey Association with a 5-1-1 mark.
These are the first non-conference games since October 29, when the Lakers upset then #19 Cornell 5-4 in Ithaca, New York.
One of the main reasons the Lakers have turned their season around has been the play of senior goaltender
Max Strang. The Gilbertsville, Pa. native has started all 12 games this season for Mercyhurst, sporting a 6-1-1 record over his last eight starts. During that stretch, he has allowed 15 goals (1.85 goals against average) in 301 shots (.951 save percentage)
Mercyhurst is also spreading its offense around through the first 12 games of the season. Freshman
Daniel Bahntge and junior
Grant Blakey lead the team with eight points apiece, and another seven players have at least five points. Freshman
Chris Bodo leads the team with four goals as the Lakers are getting immediate results from their 12 freshmen this season. Laker newcomers have combined to score 16 of Mercyhurst's 27 goals to date (59.3%).
Special teams have also been performing well for the Lakers. Mercyhurst is tenth in the country, converting at a 23.7% rate on the power play, while the penalty killing unit has allowed just six power play goals in 32 chances (81.2%). Mercyhurst is also the least penalized team in the country, as they have been whistled for 40 minor penalties (80 minutes) in 12 games (6.67 per game).
Wisconsin comes in with a 5-8-1 overall record, but all five of its wins have come at home. The Badgers feature eight players on their roster that have been drafted by National Hockey League teams, including their leading scorer, defenseman Justin Schultz, who has four goals and 14 assists. He is property of the Anaheim Ducks.
The Badgers may actually be younger than the Lakers. Wisconsin has just one senior and four juniors. 20 of its 25 players are either a sophomore or freshman, including a pair of rookie goaltenders.
Faceoffs from the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin are scheduled for 7 p.m on Friday night and 8 p.m. on Saturday night. Both start times are central.
Friday Live Stats
Saturday Live Stats
