Box Score

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - Despite getting 37 saves from senior goaltender Max Strang, the Mercyhurst University men's hockey team suffered a 2-1 setback at conference-rival Niagara at the Dwyer Arena in Niagara Falls, New York on Saturday night. It was the regular season opener for the Lakers, who drop to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the Atlantic Hockey Association standings. Meanwhile, the Purple Eagles evened their record at 1-1-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference.

Niagara scored a goal in each of the first two periods, then held off the Lakers' attempt at a rally. Mercyhurst pulled Strang with nearly a minute left in regulation but could not get the equalizer.

Giancarlo Iuorio scored his second goal of the young season with 2:50 left in the first period to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Ryan Rashid and Matt Williams had the assists. Niagara outshot the Lakers 14-10 in the opening twenty minutes.

The Purple Eagles extended their lead to 2-0 at the 9:32 mark of the second period when Williams beat Strang for his first goal of the season. Chris Lochner and Dan Kolenda had the assists.

Mercyhurst would get its only goal of the night at the 14:20 mark of the second period when sophomore Ryan Misiak notched an unassisted tally for his first goal of the season, beating Niagara netminder Carson Chubak to cut the home team's lead to 2-1. The Purple Eagles again held a shot advantage in the second period, this time by a 13-9 margin.

The Lakers would have to kill off a five-minute major penalty one minute into the third period when junior Daniel O'Donoghue was whistled for a boarding major and a corresponding game misconduct. Niagara could not extend the lead on the five-minute power play. Mercyhurst pulled Strang with 53 seconds left, but Chubak would make three saves down the stretch to preserve the victory. Niagara again outshot Mercyhurst, 12-7 in the third period.

For the contest, Niagara held a 39-26 shot advantage over the Lakers. Strang made 37 saves in the loss while Chubak turned aside 25 Mercyhurst shot attempts for the victory. Neither team could capitalize on the power play as Niagara went 0-for-3 while Mercyhurst was 0-for-2 with the skater advantage.

Mercyhurst will continue its stretch of 11 consecutive road games to start the season with a trip to Ferris State next Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20. The Bulldogs were last year's NCAA Division I national runners-up, losing in the title game to Boston College. Mercyhurst is 0-4 lifetime against the Bulldogs having last played during the 2006-07 season. Faceoffs from Big Rapids, Michigan are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. both nights.