Buffalo, N.Y. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Men's Ice Hockey team fell 6-3 to Canisius in an Atlantic Hockey America Conference game on Tuesday night at the LECOM Harborcenter. Despite a strong second-period comeback led by Mickey Burns and Riley Fitzgerald, Canisius pulled away in the third period to secure the victory. 

How It Happened: 

Canisius opened the scoring at 11:54 of the first period when Cody Schiavon found the back of the net with assists from Matteo Giampa and Carter Patterson. The Griffins extended their lead early in the second period with a goal from Matteo Giampa at 5:47. 

Mercyhurst responded quickly, as Mickey Burns scored at 6:30, assisted by Sean James, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Just one minute later, Riley Fitzgerald tied the game at 2-2 with a goal assisted by Dominik Bartecko and Dustin Geregach. 

However, Canisius regained the lead on a power-play goal by Grant Porter at 16:03, followed by Matt Vermaeten's even-strength goal at 17:19, giving the Griffins a 4-2 advantage heading into the third period. 

In the final frame, Trey Funk extended the Griffins' lead to 5-2 at 9:40. Mercyhurst pulled within two when Mickey Burns added his second goal of the game on the power play at 17:46, assisted by Trent Sambrook and Boris Skalos. Despite the late push, Canisius sealed the win with an empty-net goal from Jack Budd at 19:43. 

Notable Performances: 

• Mickey Burns scored twice, including a power-play goal, for the Lakers. 

• Riley Fitzgerald netted his fourth goal of the season. Fitzgerald is riding a three-game goal streak. 

• Sean James, Dominik Bartecko, Dustin Geregach, Trent Sambrook, and Boris Skalos each contributed assists. Skalos has a point in six of the first seven games of the season.  Sambrook has recorded an assist in four of the last five games.   

• Goaltender Simon Bucheler made 29 saves for the Lakers. 

Up Next: 

The Lakers will look to bounce back when they travel to Niagara on November 1st.  Puck drop for that game is set for 7 PM.