Sweet Sweep
This story first appeared on the New England Hockey Journal
website. To view this story by Jim Connolly click here.
By Jim Connelly
It's not often that games in December are considered must wins.
But when you look at the direction Mercyhurst has been headed this
season, last weekend's two-game set with AIC certainly carried the
urgency of late February.
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The Lakers entered the weekend two games below .500 and in sole
possession of ninth place in the standings. With head coach Rick
Gotkin's perennial goal of home-ice advantage in the
playoffs, it was high time the Lakers began making a move.
They did so behind the solid goaltending of Matt Lundin,
particularly on Saturday night, when he made 31 saves in a 2-1
victory. The wins vaulted the ‘Hurst to a tie for fifth
place, but more importantly, they're just two points behind the
second-place spot in the Atlantic Hockey standings.
"We wanted to feel better about ourselves heading into the break,"
rookie Brandon Coccimiglio told the Erie Times.
Both games on the weekend were one-goal games, which certainly
tested the resolve of this Lakers team. "As nice as it is to
win 5-0 or 6-0... I think these (close) wins are more character
wins than (blowout) wins," said Gotkin.
NEHJ Player of the Week
Matt Lundin, Jr., Mercyhurst The netminder's solid play both nights
against AIC earned the club's first weekend series sweep of the
season. Lundin stopped 50 of the 55 shots he faced on the weekend.
Around Atlantic Hockey
Air Force
The Falcons enter the break with the most potent offense in
Atlantic Hockey - averaging 3.31 goals per game. No surprise,
Eric Ehn paces the offense, despite a slow start,
and is also the league leader in points with 21.
AIC
The Yellow Jackets suffered two tough defeats at the hands of
Mercyhurst last weekend in Erie. Despite the setbacks, AIC is 4-9-1
in league play - ahead of a 2-10-0 pace at this point last season.
Army
Not uncharacteristic of recent Army squads, the Black Knights
currently lead Atlantic Hockey in team defense - allowing a stingy
2.29 goals per game. For the second straight year, goaltender
Josh Kassel is among the tops in the league with a
2.46 goals against average.
Bentley
Though Bentley began the year fast with four wins in its first six
league games, that pace has slowed, as the Falcons are winless
since Nov. 17. The bright light of the first half, though, has been
goaltender Joe Calvi, who is currently second in
the league in save percentage at .924.
Canisius
If the Griffs are to contend in the second half of the season,
they're going to have to tighten up on defense. A solid start,
though, may be staying out of the penalty box. Canisius is second
in the league in penalty minutes per game (18.2) yet are eight in
Atlantic Hockey in penalty kill.
UConn
The first half of the season has been a struggle to say the least
for UConn. Sitting in last place in the standings, the lone
highlight has likely been the postgame celebrations after UConn's
league-best three overtime victories.
Holy Cross
Averaging 3.00 goals a game is a major positive for the Crusaders,
and good enough for the second-best offense in the league at the
halfway point. The only problem is the Crusaders have given up
exactly 3.00 goals per game as well for a net of
zero.
Mercyhurst
Rookie Mike Gurtler recorded his first-career
multi-point and multi-goal game when he potted two goals and an
assist in a 5-4 win over AIC Friday. Gurtler entered Friday's
contest with two points on the season, both goals.
RIT
The Tigers are proof positive that penalty killing isn't Atlantic
Hockey's strongest suit. Despite leading the league in penalty kill
with an 88.2 percent efficiency, the Tigers only rank
13th out of 58 teams nationally and are well behind the
nation's best team Yale (94.9 percent).
Sacred Heart
The Pioneers have to consider themselves in the catbird seat
heading into the second half. Despite sitting in second place,
three points behind Air Force, Sacred Heart has played the least
games in league play (tied with Holy Cross with 10) and have four
games in hand on the Falcons. The Pioneers two league losses is the
least in Atlantic Hockey play.
