Minneapolis, MN. – The Mercyhurst Lakers Men's Ice Hockey team returns to action this weekend with a two-game series against the third-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. Puck drop for game one in Minneapolis is set for 7 PM Central Time. The last time the Lakers were in action, they went 0-1-1 in a two-game set against RPI.
History
The Lakers are 0-3 all-time against the Golden Gophers. The last time these two teams met was back in the 2021-22 season, and the Golden Gophers outscored the Lakers 12-7 over the two-game series. The first ever matchup between these two schools came all the way back in 2003. Minnesota won that matchup 9-2.
Laker Outlook
Mercyhurst (2-15-3, 2-10-2 AHA) faces a significant challenge but has shown flashes of strong play this season. Dustin Geregach leads the team offensively with six goals and nine assists for 15 points. Mickey Burns has added 13 points of his own for the Lakers. Riley Fitzgerald and Dominik Bartecko have contributed six and five goals, respectively, adding to the Lakers' scoring efforts.
In goal, Carter McPhail and Simon Bucheler have split duties, with McPhail posting a .918 save percentage and Bucheler at .900. The Lakers will need a stellar performance in net to contain Minnesota's high-octane offense.
A Look at Minnesota
The Golden Gophers (15-3-2, 8-1-1 Big Ten) come into the series ranked third in the nation. Minnesota is led by Jimmy Snuggerud, who has tallied nine goals and 15 assists for 24 points. Connor Kurth and Matthew Wood have also been key contributors, each surpassing 20 points on the season.
Defensively, Minnesota boasts a deep blue line and strong goaltending tandem. Nathan Airey leads with a .917 save percentage and a 2.06 goals-against average, while Liam Souliere has been equally impressive with a .933 save percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average.
What to Watch For
Next Up
After their series with Minnesota, the Lakers return to Atlantic Hockey play with a road series against Army.
