What: Canisius (1-1-0, 0-0-0 AHA)
at Mercyhurst College (0-2-1, 0-0-0)
When: Tuesday, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Mercyhurst Ice Center
On the air: www.wmce.com (Internet radio), www.b2livetv.com (Internet video)
Players to watch
Mercyhurst – So. F Phil Ginand (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points), So. F Grant Blakey (1-0-1), Sr. F Brandon Coccimiglio (1-0-1), Sr. F Mike Gurtler (0-1-1), Fr. So. F Paul Chiasson (1-1-2)
Canisius – Sr. F Cory Conacher (3-2-5), Sr. F Vincent Scarsella (1-3-4), So. D Wes Love (1-1-2), Sr. F Eric Rex (1-1-2), Jr. G Dan Morrison (1-1-0 record, 2.93 goals-against average, .939 save percentage)
Rick Gotkin (Contributed/USCHO.com)
Fast facts
Mercyhurst – The Lakers begin their Atlantic Hockey Association schedule with the first of three meetings against the Golden Griffins. These teams conclude the regular season with a home-and-home series Feb. 25-26. … The Lakers look to rebound from a pair of one-goal losses at home to Western Michigan this past weekend. … The 1-0 loss on Saturday was their first shutout loss at home since a 7-0 loss to Air Force on Feb. 9, 2008. … The Lakers have another chance to earn coach Rick Gotkin (399-274-53 record in 23 seasons) his 400th career win. With a win, he becomes the 36th NCAA men’s hockey coach to reach the 400-win mark. He would be the 24th coach to reach that plateau while spending 10 or more years at the Division I level and the 11th to earn 400 wins at the same school. … Ginand, who has returned from last November’s season-ending knee surgery, scored a goal against WMU – his first
Cory Conacher (Contributed/Canisius College)
goal and point since Oct. 24, 2009, against Army. … Freshman G Jordan Tibbett (0-2-1, 1.96, .944) earned the start in both games against WMU in place of suspended senior Ryan Zapolski and ahead of junior Max Strang.Tibbett, who stopped 62-of-66 shots, ranks among the top 15 nationally in goals-against average and save percentage. … The Lakers, which have faced Canisius more than any other school in their history, hold a 34-21-9 advantage in the all-time series.
Canisius – The Golden Griffins ended Mercyhurst’s 2009-10 season with a two-game sweep at MIC in the AHA quarterfinals. … They won five of six meetings with the Lakers last season, including all four at MIC. … They haven’t played since splitting a two-game series at WMU on Oct. 8-9. … They continue a season-opening, five-game road trip. They play at Sacred Heart this weekend. … Conacher leads the nation with 2.50 points per game and is tied for first with 1.50 goals per game. He finished tied for first in points (53) and second in points per game (1.51) last season. … Scarsella is tied for fifth with 2.00 points per game and 1.50 assists per game. … Rex, a Fairview native, already has matched his offensive totals from last season (two goals, two points in nine games). … The Golden Griffins were picked to finish sixth in the AHA preseason poll, four spots behind the Lakers.
Up next: vs. U.S. National Under-18 Team (exhibition – Sunday, 7:05 p.m.)
- Victor Fernandes
