Erie, Pa. — Mercyhurst kicks-off the second half of the season with a trip to Ohio State for a one game series against the Buckeyes on Saturday, December 30th.
Matchup History
Since their first meeting in the 1999/00 season, the Lakers are 3-14-1 against Ohio State all-time. The two teams previously met earlier this year, opening the season at the Mercyhurst Ice Center in one game. Mercyhurst fell just short in the matchup losing by a 3-4 scoreline, which saw Philip Waugh and Marko Reifenbereger both pick up a goal and an assist. The last time the Lakers visited Columbus, they split a two game series against the Buckeyes. They won the first game 5-4 and lost game two 2-3 back in 2021.
Recap
Last time out, Mercyhurst was able to get a series split against the Army Black Knights. Both games were high in drama as each team was able to pull off a comeback from a 3-1 deficit for a win. In game one, the Lakers broke the deadlock in the second period with two Philip Waugh goals and captured their third through Boris Skalos in the final period. Mac Gadowsky and Michael Sacco were virtually everywhere on the ice, leading the way for Army to score 3 in the final 10 minutes for a 4-3 victory. In game two, it was the exact opposite. The Black Knights jumped out to the early 3-1 lead before Mercyhurst started to dominate with 3 goals of their own, including Trent Sambrooks first career goal to start the comeback. Kyler Head scored the game tying goal 8 minutes into the final period and 3 minutes later Garrett Dahm netted the winner. Steven Agriogianins also turned in a fantastic weekend with a goal and 3 assists for 4 total points over the series.
Stats Leaders
Boris Skalos and Steven Agriogianis both have 14 points on the season to lead the team.
Skalos and Philip Waugh lead the team in goals with 8.
Dustin Geregach, Mickey Burns, and Agriogianis are in the lead for assists with their 8.
Jake Beaune has the most blocks on the team with 41.
Owen Say leads the team in saves with 479 and Simon Bucheler leads save percentage with a .930.
A Look at the Buckeyes
Steve Rohlik leads Ohio State as a head coach for his 11th season. 12 of his players return this season for the Buckeyes as they added eight freshmen and seven transfers to the roster. Scooter Brickey, who is in his 5th year, and senior Patrick Guzzo lead the team with 5 goals each. Sophomore Stephan Halliday leads the Buckeyes in both assists and points, tallying 9 assists and 13 total points. Goalie Logan Terness leads the team in saves with 426 over 16 starts; Kristoffer Eberly is the leader in save percentage at a .935 mark after seeing action in 4 games.
Mercyhurst and Ohio State will drop the puck at Value City Arena at 5:00 pm tomorrow.
