It's been a tough couple of weeks for the Laker Hockey Team as they have lost 4 critical games to ECHL league opponents from Robert Morris University and Suny-Canton. After defeating Niagara University 4-2 and moving to 3-0 in the ECHL division, Mercyhurst has struggled of late dropping 4 of its next 5 league games placing them 2nd within the league with a 4-4 record. Robert Morris University remains on top of the ECHL League Standings undefeated with a 7-0 record and Suny-Canton is chasing the Lakers from behind with a 3-2 record within league play.
Mercyhurst struggled to find its legs against a strong skating RMU hockey club losing 4-1 and 8-2 in an end of the month home and home series with their division rival from Pittsburgh. Mercyhurst was without a few key players, but overall the Lakers chose to play some of its worst hockey to date at the most inopportune time, allowing RMU to jump out to a considerable lead within the ECHL.
A week later the Lakers took a long road trip to face-off against league foes from Syracuse and Suny-Canton. The Hurst were without several key players (leading scorers Jeff Monnin and Josh Mandic, role players like Walt Ozanick and Steve Stepanian, defensemen Tim Martin and Mark Gramza and captain Charlie Revett) due to injury and exam preparation. The shorter than normal bench proved too much for the Lakers as they were forced to play 3 games in 3 nights, going 1-2 in those contests with their only win coming against the Syracuse Orange by a 3-1 margin while losing both contests to Suny-Canton by scores of 4-3 and 5-3 respectively.
The Lakers are heading into a much needed Thanksgiving break to allow for injuries to heal and time to re-focus their efforts on the remaining season ahead. The Lakers will return to action in early December with several weeknight home contests at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.