Niagara Falls, NY — The Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team hits the road for the first time in their 2023/24 season, making a trip out to Niagara Falls to face Niagara University.
Matchup History
It's the first of four matches the Lakers have against the Purple Eagles this season. Mercyhurst's is 19-23-6 against Niagara, going back to 1996. The two teams played each other four times last season, the Lakers went 1-2-1. Mercyhurst faced them last in a home and home series at the end of their season, where they won the first game in Erie by a score of 3-2 in overtime. They traveled to Niagara the following day and fell 5-3 in the last game of the regular season.
Recap
Robert Morris University payed a visit to Erie last time out for the Lakers. The Colonials made it a fast paced, back and forth game against Mercyhurst, but ultimately the Lakers were the better side as they won 1-0 on a shootout after the 3-3 tie. Captain Marko Reifenberger set the tone in the first period, scoring his second goal on the season. Philip Waugh was also able to net his second on the season, eventually sending the game to overtime. Jake Beaune and Waugh both turned in massive days on defense to keep RMU at bay, Beaune had 8 blocks while Waugh had 5. Sophomore goalie Owen Say had yet another big day in a start his stellar season, saving 42 of the 45 shots he faced, before saving three straight in the shootout. Senior Keanan Stewart add his first goal of the season while Tommy Bannister, Dustin Geregach, Garrett Dahm, and Adrien Bisson all provided the assists on the day. Steven Agriogianis stepped up to score Merychurst's lone goal in the shootout.
Stats Leaders
Philip Waugh and Marko Reifenberger lead the team in points on the season so far with three each (2G, 1A). Owen Say leads the team in saves with 87 and a .9125 save percentage.
A Look at the Niagara
Niagara are headed by Jason Lammers, who enters his seventh season as head coach. They brought in 11 new faces to their squad this season, comprised of six freshman and 5 transfer students. Former AIC goalie, and Erie native, Jarrett Fiske joins the Purple Eagles with a .923 save percentage. Jaedon Leslie (Ohio State), Alex Murray (Miami (OH)), Connor Mylymok (Alaska-Fairbanks), and Luke Mylymok (Minnesota-Duluth) join as well. Shane Ott is their top returning point getter (28) and Carter Randklev is their top returning goal scorer (13) from last season.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM on Saturday October, 21st at the Dwyer Arena.
