Erie, Pa. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Men's Ice Hockey team is back in action this weekend as they face off against Niagara.  The two-game series will be a home and home with the the Lakers hosting game one.  The Lakers look to bounce back from a tough weekend at Army West Point. 

History 

Mercyhurst and Niagara share a competitive history, with the Purple Eagles holding a slight edge in the all-time series 26-21-7. Earlier this season, the teams split their series, with each team taking one game at home. The Lakers secured a 4-3 victory in the second game on a Boris Skalos game-winner in OT.  The Lakers hold a 13-11-3 record all time at home in the series history and an 8-14-4 record on the road.     

Laker Outlook 

Mercyhurst (2-19-3, 2-12-2 AHA) will lean on key contributors Dustin Geregach and Riley Fitzgerald to spark the offense. Geregach leads the team with 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists), while Fitzgerald has a team-high 7 goals. Mickey Burns and Steven Agriogianis will also play pivotal roles in generating scoring opportunities. 

In net, Carter McPhail and Simon Bucheler have shared responsibilities. McPhail holds a .903 save percentage across 14 starts, while Bucheler has posted two wins this season. Special teams have been a challenge for the Lakers, but their power play conversion rate of 18.8% will be critical in this series. 

A Look at Niagara 

Niagara (11-9-3, 9-4-2 AHA) comes into the weekend as one of the stronger teams in the conference. Shane Ott leads the Purple Eagles with 23 points (6 goals, 17 assists), and Jay Ahearn has been a playmaker with 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists). Trevor Hoskin and Glebs Prohorenkovs add depth to the offensive attack. 

Pierce Charleson has been a standout in goal for Niagara, boasting a .924 save percentage and a 2.68 goals-against average across 20 games. The Purple Eagles excel on special teams, with a power play operating at 20.0% and a penalty kill at 89.4%. 

What to Watch For 

• Special Teams Battle: Niagara's efficient special teams will test Mercyhurst's ability to capitalize on power plays and remain disciplined. 

• Offensive Leaders: Dustin Geregach and Jay Ahearn will be key players to watch, as both lead their respective teams in points. 

• Goaltending Matchup: Carter McPhail and Pierce Charleson will play crucial roles in keeping their teams competitive. 

Next Up 

The Lakers will be off for a week before returning to action the following weekend with a road date at Robert Morris.