ERIE, Pa. – The Mercyhurst ACHA hockey team traveled to Gilmour Academy and Moon Township for their first CHMA games of the year Friday and Saturday. Both games featured competitive hockey from the Lakers, with much of the upside coming from the young core of players new to the Hurst.
 
In game 1, senior goaltender Connor Bridges got the nod to start for the Lakers, his 2^nd of the season.
 
In the opening period, John Carroll scored an early goal within the first three minutes of the frame, with an additional goal coming at 8:33. Bridges had to leave the game a little over 16 minutes into the period, which opened the door for freshman Mike Mankowski to take the net. The Lakers did not manage to find the back of the net despite 11 shots on goal compared to John Carroll's 16.
 
The Blue Streaks scored an early power play goal 34 seconds into the 2^nd period. The Lakers would work to maintain the score at 3-0. They managed to hold the Blue Streaks at bay until 17:28, where JCU scored for their 4^th goal of the game.
 
In the 3^rd period, the Blue Streaks scored three goals before the 10-minute mark, leaving the score at 7-0. Senior Colin Barry scored his 1^st goal of the year with assists coming from Brayden McGarry and William Neeld.
 
The Lakers would fall 7-1, with Bridges stopping 11 of 13 shots faced and Makowski stopping 18 of 23. The Lakers set their sights on the Colonials of Robert Morris the following night.
 
In game 2, Henry Hunt got the start for the Lakers in net, his 8^th of the season.
 
In the 1^st period, the Colonials scored three early goals, all before the 5-minute mark. Junior William Neeld scored at 17:12, his 3^rd goal of the season, with assists coming from Kaden Bolter and Kason Tai.
 
In the 2^nd period, rookie Riordan Sjovold scored his 6^th goal at 6:26 with the assist again coming from Bolter, his 3^rd of the year. Robert Morris quickly responded with a pair of goals, one of which was shorthanded. Bolter scored his 2^nd goal of the season, and his 3^rd point of the night at 12:45, assisted by Cameron Glance, his 3^rd assist of the year. Nicholas Botzenhart scored a late goal for the Lakers, his 1^st of the season, with his assist coming from Conner McCusker. The Lakers would head into the 3^rd period with a 1-goal deficit of 5-4 in favor of the Colonials.
 
 
The 3rd period was marked by a scoring opportunity for the Lakers that was called off, as well as a pair of penalties that put them in a 5-on-3 situation. The Lakers were able to hold off Robert Morris, but were unable to find the back of the net.
 
The Lakers would fall 5-4, with Hunt stopping 29 of 34 shots.
 
The Blue and Green will host Buffalo Sunday, November 2 at 5 PM at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.