Notre Dame, IN — It's set to be a big week for the Mercyhurst Men's Hockey team as they head out on the road for a massive two game set against Notre Dame. Game one is scheduled for Thursday, October 26th and then the final game on Friday, October 27th.
Matchup History
The Lakers don't tend to see the Fighting Irish too much historically, seeing each other five times in the past. This is primed to be the first meeting between the teams since 2018; the contest ended in a 6-6 scoring frenzy, with Notre Dame securing the win in a 1-0 shootout. The only previous two game series came back in 1990. Mercyhurst is looking for its first victory against the Fighting Irish after being on the verge last time out. With the trends against Notre Dame over time and energetic play the Lakers have shown this season, it could ahpe up to be an exciting weekend of firsts for the program.
Recap
The Lakers hit the road for the first time this past weekend, heading to Niagara University, seeing their second straight shootout win. Mercyhurst managed to put a dent into the scoreboard first with Dustin Geregach finding the back of the net on a power play midway through the second period. Niagara evened up the score in the 10th minute at even strength while able to do so again in the 15th minute to give the Purple Eagles the advantage. The Lakers were able to flip the script in the third period and score a pair of goals. The first from Steven Agriogianis and the second was scored by Boris Skalos for his first ever career goal. Niagara pulled one back in the 19th minute of the final period to send it to overtime. It went all the way to a shootout with nobody scoring until Mickey Burns on the Lakers third attempt before Owen Say came up with the save to secure the win.
Stats Leaders
Philip Waugh leads the team in points on the season so far with four (2G, 2A), and is tied with Marko Reifenberger for the lead in goals. Owen Say leads the team in saves with 115 and a .920 save percentage.
A Look at the Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish are led by Jeff Jackson, who enters his nineteenth season as Notre Dame's head coach. They added 10 fresh faces this season, including eight freshmen and two transfer students. Forward Patrick Moynihan joins the Irish from Providence, previously accumulating 37 goals and 34 assists over 123 games, and defenseman Ryan Siedem from Harvard tallying 7 goals and 51 assists in his three years there. Senior Landon Slaggert leads them in goals with 3, as well as points along with three others in Siedem (1G, 2A), Grant Silianoff (3A), and Maddox Fleming (3A).
With the trends against Notre Dame over time and energetic play the Lakers have shown this season, it could shape up to be an exciting weekend of firsts for the program. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM on Thursday October, 26th at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
