Mercyhurst opened Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA) play Thursday, October 30, with a 4-1 win at Canisius. The win was the 280th in the Mercyhurst coaching career of head coach Rick Gotkin, placing him just six shy of becoming the all-time leader in coaching victories in the history of the college.
The victory improved the Lakers’ overall mark to 2-1 in the young season while the Ice Griffs remained winless at 0-4-3 overall and 0-2-1 in the Atlantic Hockey Association.
Senior forward Adam Tackaberry led the Lakers with a pair of power-play goals and an assist. His first goal came seven minutes into the game and his second capped Mercyhurst’s scoring just 53 second into the third period. Freshman forward Scott Champagne scored his first collegiate goal, a power play, six minutes into the middle period while junior forward Rich Hansen added his first of the season, an even strength tally at 10:05 of the second to give Mercyhurst a 3-0 lead.
Sophomore goalie Andy Franck lost his shutout with just 17 seconds to play when junior forward Ryan Corcoran lit the lamp for the Ice Griffs.
The Lakers now lead the all-time series against the Ice Griffs 21-10-3 and are 8-3-2 against Canisius since moving to Division I in 1999.
