THE MATCHUP
The Mercyhurst men's hockey team will travel to Niagara University on Friday before it welcomes the Purple Eagles into the Mercyhurst Ice Center on Saturday.
 
Mercyhurst (12-9-1 AH) is coming off of a split weekend with Bentley, dropping game one, 4-1, before winning the second game, 5-2. The Lakers are currently in fifth place in the Atlantic Hockey standings with 25 points.
 
Niagara (5-15-2 AH) is coming off of a weekend sweep of American International, claiming victories of 2-0 and 4-3. The Purple Eagles are currently 10th in the AHA standings with 10 points.
 
In the all-time series Mercyhurst leads Niagara, 13-11-2.

LAST TIME THEY MET
Back in the beginning of January, Mercyhurst and Niagara faced off in a home-and home-series; Mercyhurst swept the weekend with a pair of 3-2 victories.
 
Freshman Tommaso Bucci recorded his first collegiate goal and freshman Adam Carlson made a total of 74 saves between the pipes during the weekend.
 

ASSISTANT COACH CONNECTION
Mercyhurst assistant coach Greg Gardner was not only an assistant coach for the Purple Eagles (2006-11), but he was also their standout goaltender from 1996-2000. During his 1999-2000 year, Gardner led the NCAA in goals-against average and set a new NCAA record for shutouts with 12 in one season. He was then named CHA Player of the Year.
 
BARACH ON POINT STREAK
Freshman Derek Barach is on a point streak including three goals and three assists in his last four games. Those six points include a pair of two-point games and a pair of one-point games. Last week, Barach was also named Mercyhurst Male Athlete of the week, Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week and Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Month (January).
 
LANCASTER AWARDED
Freshman Lester Lancaster won two awards for his performance in the Lakers' matchup against Bentley. Lancaster recorded one goal and three assists in Mercyhurst's split weekend series. He was awarded Mercyhurst Male Athlete of the Week and Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week. Lancaster is currently ranked third on the team for points (23) and second in assists (17).
 
NEXT UP
The Lakers head to West Point, N.Y., for a weekend matchup against Army (6-9-7 AHC) on Feb. 19-20. Army is ninth in the Atlantic Hockey standings coming into its weekend against Robert Morris.