Box Score

NORTHFORD, Conn. - Senior goaltender Max Strang stopped 28 shots and sophomore Ryan Misiak continued his torrid start to the season as the Mercyhurst University men's hockey team blanked Sacred Heart 3-0 on Friday night at the Northford Ice Pavilion. The Lakers improved to 1-2-1 overall on the young season and evened their record at 1-1-0 in the Atlantic Hockey Association standings. The Pioneers dropped to 0-5-1 and 0-3-1 in conference play.

After allowing seven goals in two periods against Ferris State in his last start on October 19, Strang rebounded in a big way, turning aside every Pioneer attempt Friday night to earn his first shutout of the season and fourth of his career. In two conference games this season, Strang is 1-1 with a 1.01 goals against average, allowing just two goals in 67 shots (.970 save percentage). 

Meanwhile, Misiak had a goal and an assist to lead the Laker offense. He has now scored at least one point in all four games this season and has a six-game point scoring streak dating back to last season. He has three goals and three assists this season to lead the team. No other Laker has more than three points through the first four games.

Sophomore defenseman Grant Gettinger scored his first collegiate goal, in his 43rd career game, at the 10:22 mark of the opening period to give the Lakers a 1-0 advantage. Sophomore Matthew Zay and junior Trent Frey picked up the assists. Gettinger played 39 games as a rookie last season and had three assists to his credit. Through four games this season, the North Olmsted, Ohio native already has a goal and an assist.

The Lakers outshot the Pioneers 11-8 through the opening twenty minutes.

With the Lakers on the power play, sophomore forward Daniel Bahntge gave Mercyhurst a two-goal lead with his first goal of the season at the 14:17 mark of the second period. Junior defenseman Nick Jones picked up the primary assist while Misiak extended his scoring streak with the other helper on the goal. Bahntge, who led the Lakers with 31 points as a freshman last season, now has three points this year.

Mercyhurst owned a wide margin in shots during the second period, outshooting Sacred Heart 21-9.

Misiak would put the icing on the cake with an empty net goal, his third tally of the season, at the 19:46 mark of the final stanza. Seniors Grant Blakey and Strang picked up the assists.

Shots on goal were dead even in the third period, 11-11.

It was the first time this season that Mercyhurst has outshot its opponent as the Lakers held a 43-28 shot advantage for the game. Pioneer goaltender Steven Legatto was sensational in defeat, stopping 40 Mercyhurst shots. He dropped to 0-2-0 on the season.

Mercyhurst was 1-for-4 on the power play while Sacred Heart was 0-for-5 with the man advantage.

The Lakers have won four of the last five meetings between the two schools, including three straight victories over the Pioneers. Mercyhurst will look to even the all-time series (Sacred Heart leads 19-18-5) and complete the weekend sweep on Saturday at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Faceoff is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.