By: Peter Neville, Assistant Sports Editor
After a week off, Canisius hockey’s road swing kicks back into high gear as they travel to Erie, Pennsylvania for a two-game set against Mercyhurst.
Following a sweep in a two-game set by Air Force two weeks ago, the Griffs look to get back in the Atlantic Hockey win column when they take on the Lakers, a team they have already beaten once this season.
“I’d say every team is not going to play the exact same way every time you play them,” said senior captain Matt Vermaeten. “There's a certain style every team will try to play each game and we’re going to do our best to not let them take advantage of it. After our game at home against them, I'm sure they've had this weekend circled on their calendars. It won't be an easy weekend for either team.”
When the Griffs played Mercyhurst earlier this season, they defeated the Lakers 6–3, marking the most goals they’ve scored this season alongside their 6-1 victory over Army earlier this month. Sophomore Matteo Giampa led the Griffs in points in that game, tallying one goal and four assists, becoming the second player in the program’s Division I history to notch four assists in a game since Dylan McLaughlin against Bentley in 2016.
Another one of the Griffs' top performers in that game was fellow sophomore Ethan Robertson, who recorded 22 saves on 25 shots faced, earning his first victory of the season. Since then, Robertson has allowed only 2.49 goals per game, alongside a .910 SV%, winning AHA goalie of the week along the way. Robertson’s status is one to watch in this weekend series, as he exited the game with an injury in the Griffs' second game against Air Force.
The Lakers have struggled since their loss to the Griffs back in October. They have since recorded only one win compared to six losses, floundering to a 2–12 record on the season. Their top scorer has been graduate student Mickey Burns, who – through 13 games – has recorded five goals and five assists, good for 10 points on the year.
The Griffs face off against the Mercyhurst Lakers this Friday and Saturday in Erie, Pennsylvania. The puck drops in game one at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 5 p.m. on Saturday as the Griffs look to get their AHA play back on track.
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