2023–24 Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey season is the 37th season of play for the program, the 25th at the Division I level, and the 21st in Atlantic Hockey. The Lakers represent Mercyhurst University and are coached by Rick Gotkin, in his 36th season.

2023–24 Mercyhurst Lakers
men's ice hockey season
Conference9th Atlantic Hockey
Home iceMercyhurst Ice Center
Rankings
USCHONR
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall9–22–4
Conference7–15–4
Home4–10–1
Road5–12–3
Coaches and captains
Head coachRick Gotkin
Assistant coachesGreg Gardner
Tom Peffall
Ryan Zapolski
Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey seasons
« 2022–23 2024–25 »

Season

Mercyhurst began the season enough, sandwiching a pair of shootout victories between very narrow losses to two Big Ten teams. The Lakers then spent the remainder of the first half of their season playing around the .500 mark, seeing decent scoring totals buoyed by solid if unspectacular defensive play. The result was that the Lakers were sitting with a winning record in conference play and had an outside chance to earn a bye into the conference quarterfinals.

In the second half, Mercyhurst started with their best offensive performance to date, scoring 7 goals against Sacred Heart. Unfortunately, the offense dried up afterwards. Mercyhurst went over a month without a win, losing nine consecutive games. The streak sent the team plummeting to the bottom of the standings and also saw their defense surrender many glorious scoring opportunities. Mercyhurst managed to pull themselves out of the dive with a surprising win over ranked RIT but by then the damage had been done. The Lakers finished the year in 9th place and were forced to hit the road for their first round match.

The offense again went silent and Canisius scored the first four goals in the game. With nothing left to lose, Rick Gotkin pulled Owen Say for an extra attacked when the team got on a mid-third period power play and the extra attacker enabled the team to finally get on the scoreboard. Several minutes later, The Griffins were assessed a major penalty and gave Mercyhurst the opening the needed. The team was unable to capitalize during the first half of the power play but, after Canisius was given a slashing minor, Mercyhurst managed to add a second goal on the 6-on-3 man-advantage. Still needing two goals to tie, Say was again pulled when play resumed but, after about a minute, Canisius was able to cage an empty-net goal that sealed the game.[1]

On November 11, Rick Gotkin became just the 16th coach in NCAA history to win 600 games. He was also the 7th coach to do so with one team.[2]

Due to a snowstorm, the game against Niagara scheduled on January 13 was postponed to a later date.[3]

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Jon BendorfForward United StatesGraduation (retired)
Carson BrièreForward United StatesDismissed from program (signed with HC 19 Humenné)
Eric EspositoForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Orlando Solar Bears)
Gueorgui FeduolovForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Norfolk Admirals)
Tyler HarmonGoaltender United StatesGraduation (signed with Atlanta Gladiators)
Dalton HunterForward United StatesGraduation (signed with Fayetteville Marksmen)
Paul MaustForward United StatesGraduate transfer to Robert Morris
Joey MaziarzDefenseman CanadaGraduation (retired)
Brendon MichaelianDefenseman United StatesGraduation (retired)
Owen NortonDefenseman CanadaGraduation (signed with Maine Mariners)
Rylee St. OngeForward CanadaGraduate transfer to Robert Morris
Cade TownendDefenseman CanadaGraduate transfer to Robert Morris
Carver WatsonDefenseman United StatesGraduation (retired)

Recruiting

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Barrett BrooksForward United States21Stevens Point, WI; transfer from Western Michigan
Simon BuchelerGoaltender Canada21Saint-Laurent, QC
Tyler DesRochersDefenseman United States20Howell, NJ
Davis FryForward Canada20Regina, SK
Sean JamesForward Canada21Almonte, ON
Will MargelForward United States22Potomac, MD; transfer from New Hampshire
Jackson McCarthyDefenseman United States21West Seneca, NY
Connor PelcForward United States20Buffalo, NY
Cameron RicottaForward United States21Cheektowaga, NY
Trent SambrookDefenseman Canada21Winnipeg, MB
Boris SkalosForward United States20Clifton, NJ
Spencer SmithForward Canada21St. Catharines, ON
Jaryd SychDefenseman Canada20Airdrie, AB

Roster

As of September 14, 2023.[4]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Matt Lenz Junior G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-06-02 Grapevine, Texas Steinbach (MJHL)
2 Philip Waugh Senior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 2000-01-10 McLean, Virginia P. A. L. (NCDC)
3 Jake Beaune Junior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-06-13 Livonia, Michigan Lincoln (USHL)
4 Jaryd Sych Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2003-02-10 Airdrie, Alberta Notre Dame (SJHL)
5 Jackson McCarthy Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-09-27 West Seneca, New York Northeast (NAHL)
6 Trent Sambrook Freshman D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2002-01-03 Winnipeg, Manitoba Winkler (MJHL)
7 Tyler DesRochers Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-04-02 Howell, New Jersey Johnstown (NAHL)
8 Tyler Gaulin Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 2001-11-09 Kingston, New Hampshire Maine (NAHL)
9 Sean James Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2002-09-10 Almonte, Ontario Smiths Falls (CCHL)
10 Steven Agriogianis Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-01-07 East Hanover, New Jersey Northeastern (HEA)
11 Barrett Brooks Sophomore F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-12-19 Stevens Point, Wisconsin Western Michigan (NCHC)
12 Dustin Geregach Junior D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2001-11-14 McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania Johnstown (NAHL)
14 Boris Skalos Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2003-01-06 Clifton, New Jersey Fargo (USHL)
15 Tommy Bannister Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-09-05 Clayton, New York New Jersey (NAHL)
16 Ryan Coughlin Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-02-09 Charlotte, North Carolina New Jersey (NAHL)
18 Davis Fry Freshman F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2003-08-04 Regina, Saskatchewan Steinbach (MJHL)
19 Garrett Dahm Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-06-29 Belleville, Illinois Youngstown (USHL)
20 Keanan Stewart Senior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-04-29 Elmira, Ontario Burlington (OJHL)
21 Mickey Burns Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-04-03 Wayne, New Jersey Vermont (HEA)
22 Kyler Head Senior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-07-13 Malone, New York Robert Morris (AHA)
23 Cameron Ricotta Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2002-05-17 Cheektowaga, New York Fairbanks (NAHL)
24 Marko Reifenberger Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-01-19 Hastings, Minnesota Minnesota Magicians (NAHL)
26 Spencer Smith Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 2002-05-20 St. Catharines, Ontario Penticton (BCHL)
27 Nicholas Kent Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-02-01 Anaheim, California Vernon (BCHL)
28 Tyler Nasca Sophomore D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-01-09 Buffalo, New York Lone Star (NAHL)
29 Adrien Bisson Graduate D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-01-18 Cornwall, Ontario Maine (HEA)
31 Owen Say Sophomore G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-06-05 London, Ontario Salmon Arm (BCHL)
37 Connor Pelc Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2003-04-28 Buffalo, New York Sioux Falls (USHL)
39 Will Margel Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2001-03-16 Potomac, Maryland New Hampshire (HEA)
44 Simon Bucheler Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 2002-03-29 Saint-Laurent, Quebec Shreveport (NAHL)

Standings

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OW OL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#17 RIT †*2618713205410264402711215696
Holy Cross2613103031467862392114411693
Sacred Heart2614102221457570361419391113
Air Force26151013014488753818191115119
American International26121041124279684020164119111
Bentley261212212241695835161729582
Niagara26131033114178793918183111122
Canisius26101242103373873712214103126
Mercyhurst26715401430779135922498126
Army268162011286696351023293139
Robert Morris267172011256095391125394142
Championship: March 23, 2024
† indicates conference regular season champion (DeGregorio Trophy)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Regular Season
October 7 7:00 pm #13 Ohio State* Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 3–4  2,050 0–1–0
October 14 4:00 pm Robert Morris Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say T 3–3 SOW 582 0–1–1 (0–0–1)
October 21 7:00 pm at Niagara Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New YorkFloHockey Say T 3–3 SOW 988 0–1–2 (0–0–2)
October 26 7:30 pm at Notre Dame* Compton Family Ice ArenaNotre Dame, IndianaPeacock Bucheler L 3–4 OT 3,919 0–2–2
October 27 7:00 pm at Notre Dame* Compton Family Ice ArenaNotre Dame, IndianaPeacock Bucheler L 0–5  5,022 0–3–2
November 3 7:07 pm at Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, OhioFloHockey Say W 4–3 OT 2,814 1–3–2
November 4 7:07 pm at Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, OhioFloHockey Say L 2–4  3,065 1–4–2
November 10 7:05 pm at #20 RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey Say L 2–5  3,925 1–5–2 (0–1–2)
November 11 5:05 pm at #20 RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New YorkFloHockey Bucheler W 2–0  3,388 2–5–2 (1–1–2)
November 18 7:00 pm Air Force Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Bucheler L 2–5  734 2–6–2 (1–2–2)
November 19 4:00 pm Air Force Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say W 5–1  783 3–6–2 (2–2–2)
November 24 7:05 pm at Miami* Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania  Say W 4–3 OT 1,571 4–6–2
November 26 4:00 pm Miami* Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 0–2  630 4–7–2
December 1 7:00 pm at Canisius LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Say T 3–3 SOW 719 4–7–3 (2–2–3)
December 2 7:00 pm Canisius Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say W 5–1  635 5–7–3 (3–2–3)
December 8 7:00 pm Army Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 3–4  1,017 5–8–3 (3–3–3)
December 9 4:00 pm Army Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say W 4–3  1,005 6–8–3 (4–3–3)
December 30 5:00 pm at Ohio State* Value City ArenaColumbus, Ohio  Say L 3–5  5,096 6–9–3
January 5 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Martire Family ArenaFairfield, ConnecticutFloHockey Say W 7–2  2,497 7–9–3 (5–3–3)
January 6 3:00 pm at Sacred Heart Martire Family ArenaFairfield, ConnecticutFloHockey Say L 1–2  3,063 7–10–3 (5–4–3)
January 11 7:00 pm at Canisius LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New YorkFloHockey Say L 1–4  569 7–11–3 (5–5–3)
January 19 7:05 pm at Bentley Bentley ArenaWaltham, MassachusettsFloHockey Say L 0–4  879 7–12–3 (5–6–3)
January 20 4:05 pm at Bentley Bentley ArenaWaltham, MassachusettsFloHockey Bucheler L 4–8  945 7–13–3 (5–7–3)
January 26 7:00 pm Holy Cross Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 2–5  1,034 7–14–3 (5–8–3)
January 27 5:00 pm Holy Cross Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 3–5  1,074 7–15–3 (5–9–3)
February 2 7:00 pm Robert Morris Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 2–5  1,042 7–16–3 (5–10–3)
February 3 7:00 pm at Robert Morris Clearview ArenaErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Bucheler L 3–4  759 7–17–3 (5–11–3)
February 9 7:00 pm #20 RIT Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Bucheler L 6–7 OT 1,017 7–18–3 (5–12–3)
February 10 4:00 pm #20 RIT Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say W 3–2  1,027 8–18–3 (6–12–3)
February 16 4:35 pm at American International MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Say L 1–4  228 8–19–3 (6–13–3)
February 17 7:05 pm at American International MassMutual CenterSpringfield, MassachusettsFloHockey Say T 2–2 SOW 8–19–4 (6–13–4)
February 20 7:00 pm Niagara Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 1–4  924 8–20–4 (6–14–4)
February 22 7:00 pm at Niagara Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New YorkFloHockey Say W 6–1  719 9–20–4 (7–14–4)
February 24 7:00 pm Niagara Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, PennsylvaniaFloHockey Say L 3–4  1,002 9–21–4 (7–15–4)
Atlantic Hockey Tournament
March 2 6:05 pm at Canisius* LECOM HarborcenterBuffalo, New York (First Round)FloHockey Say L 2–5  388 9–22–4
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[5]

Scoring statistics

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Garrett DahmF357212823
Boris SkalosF3515122710
Steven AgriogianisRW35617238
Will MargelF316131910
Dustin GeregachD344141835
Mickey BurnsLW355131814
Keanan StewartF311051510
Kyler HeadF30691536
Philip WaughD311041432
Trent SambrookD283101314
Ryan CoughlinF2757128
Marko ReifenbergerC33561137
Barrett BrooksF27461023
Tommy BannisterF2737104
Spencer SmithF343580
Adrien BissonF2326816
Jake BeauneD3526833
Connor PelcF2914514
Cameron RicottaF51120
Tyler DesRochersD2102210
Sean JamesF80110
Nicholas KentD160114
Tyler NascaD240116
Jaryd SychD30000
Owen SayG310002
Tyler GaulinF80008
Simon BuchelerG80000
Davis FryF50002
Total98171269359

[6]

Goaltending statistics

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Owen Say311697:528174919500.9133.22
Simon Bucheler12397:45150262371.9013.92
Empty Net-40:01---9----
Total352135:38922412611871.9043.54

Rankings

Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 and 25.[7]
Note: USA Today did not release a poll in week 12.

References

  1. "SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  2. "All-Time Coaching Records". USCHO. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  3. "Niagara-Mercyhurst, Canisius-RIT men's hockey games scheduled for Jan. 13 postponed due to inclement weather". USCHO. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  4. "2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Mercyhurst Lakers. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. "2023-24 Men's Ice Hockey Schedule". Mercyhurst Lakers. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  6. "Mercyhurst Univ. 2023-2024 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  7. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
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