ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Mercyhurst Men's ACHA team traveled up I-90 to the home of the RIT Tigers over the weekend. After late struggles in their final CHMA matchups of 2025, the Lakers were looking to start the new year with some success on the road.
 
Senior Connor Bridges got the nod for the first start of 2026.
 
In the 1^st period, the Lakers spent some time in the penalty box, but were able to successfully kill off the RIT powerplay 3 times over the course of the period. The Tigers were able to find the back of the net at 7:25, but Bridges and the Laker defense were able to stop 17 of 18 shots by period's end.
 
In the 2^nd period, the Tigers were able to set the score at 2-0 at 10:37. Senior defenseman John Hanlon was able to respond with his 4^th goal of the season at 14:28, with his assists coming from Cameron Glance and Bowman Klippenstein.
 
In the 3^rd period, the Lakers scored a quick goal courtesy of Conner McCusker to tie the game at 2-2 just 12 seconds into the frame. Soon after, the Lakers were sent to the penalty box for too-many-men, and the Tigers were able to capitalize with their only powerplay goal of the game at 2:04. Kason Tai scored his 2^nd goal of the season at 5:58, serving as the equalizer and putting the score at 3-3. He was assisted by Nathan Chung. Despite spending some time on special teams, neither team was able to find a lead as the period concluded, forcing overtime.
 
In the overtime period, Hanlon was able to find Klippenstein just over a minute into the period for Klippenstein's 7^th goal of the season, and the game-winner. The Lakers finished off the Tigers by a score of 4-3.
 
Bridges stopped a total of 45 out of 48 shots, earning his 2^nd win of the year.
 
The Lakers then travelled east to battle with the Lakers of Oswego the following evening.
 
Coming off of their success from the previous night, the Lakers were looking to make a statement by defeating Oswego on the road for their road trip finale.
 
Freshman goaltender Francesco Scibbarrasi got the nod for his college hockey debut.
 
In the 1^st period, an Oswego interference penalty gave Riordan Sjovold a powerplay opportunity to find the back of the net for the Hurst. This was Sjovold's 8^th goal of the year, with assists coming from William Neeld and Cameron Glance. Later in the frame, Oswego was able to even the score at 1-1 at 18:27, but Sjovold found a way to score his 9^th goal of the season at 18:33 to put the Lakers ahead going into intermission.
 
In the 2^nd period, Oswego found the back of the net 3 times over the course of the frame, one of which was a powerplay goal. The Lakers had an opportunity to answer on the powerplay, but were unable to do so.
 
In the 3^rd period, the Lakers spent time in the penalty box, which led to a pair of powerplay goals for Oswego that went unanswered until Klippenstein netted his 8^th goal of the season at 11:32 with some help from Hanlon. The Hurst would go on the power play shortly after, but Oswego would score a goal short-handed and then eventually finish the scoring at 17:53. The Hurst would ultimately fall to Oswego 8-3.
 
Scibbarrasi stopped 33 of 41 shots faced in his debut.
 
The Lakers next look forward to heading to Pittsburgh, Pa. for their final matchup against Duquesne before returning home for their Senior Night celebration against Robert Morris at the MIC.