USAF Academy, Co. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Men's Hockey team returns to the ice this weekend as they travel west to take on the Air Force Falcons in a two-game Atlantic Hockey series. The Lakers, looking to bounce back after a tough stretch, are eager to earn crucial conference points. Air Force comes into the series riding a strong start to their season with a balanced offense and solid goaltending. 

History 

Air Force leads the all-time series with Mercyhurst, 28-20-5. Air Force has won three of the last four in the series. The teams split a series last season in Erie. Air Force and Mercyhurst have only played two games at USAF Academy since meeting in the postseason back in 2020. The Lakers are 0-5-1 in the last six games at Cadet Ice Arena, with the last win coming back in 2018.  The Lakers hold a 10-13-2 record all-time at Cadet Ice Arena. 

Laker Outlook 

Mercyhurst comes into the weekend with a 2-10-0 overall record and a 2-6 mark in Atlantic Hockey action. Mickey Burns leads the Lakers offensively with 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists), while Dustin Geregach has also been a consistent contributor, tallying 4 goals and 6 assists. In net, Simon Bucheler has seen the majority of starts, posting a .900 save percentage and making 288 saves across nine games. The Lakers' power play conversion stands at 20.5%, an area they'll look to exploit against a disciplined Air Force team. 

A Look at Air Force 

Air Force enters the series with a 6-6-0 record and a strong start in conference play at 3-1. The Falcons are led by Clayton Cosentino, who has amassed 10 points on 4 goals and 6 assists, while Brendan Gibbons has been a threat with 5 goals. Goaltender Guy Blessing has been reliable for the Falcons, maintaining a .889 save percentage and a 3.19 goals-against average. Air Force has demonstrated consistency on the penalty kill, allowing opponents a conversion rate of just 17.8%. 

What to Watch For 

• Key Scorers: Mercyhurst's Mickey Burns and Air Force's Clayton Cosentino will be crucial players to watch, each looking to drive their team's offense. 

• Goaltending Duel: With Simon Bucheler and Guy Blessing leading in net, both goalies will be tested as they face high shot volumes. 

• Special Teams Play: Mercyhurst's power play will aim to capitalize against Air Force's penalty kill, which has been effective this season. 

Next Up 

After their home series with Air Force, the Lakers will continue Atlantic Hockey play at home when they host Canisius.  The Lakers and Griffins met once already this season, with the Griffins grabbing a 6-3 win in Buffalo.