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2022–23 Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey season

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2022–23 Mercyhurst Lakers
men's ice hockey season
Conference8th Atlantic Hockey
Home iceMercyhurst Ice Center
Rankings
USCHONR
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall10–23–3
Conference9–14–3
Home6–10–1
Road4–13–2
Coaches and captains
Head coachRick Gotkin
Assistant coachesGreg Gardner
Tom Peffall
Ryan Zapolski
Captain(s)Joseph Maziarz
Rylee St. Onge
Alternate captain(s)Owen Norton
Cade Townend
Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey seasons
« 2021–22 2023–24 »

The 2022–23 Mercyhurst Lakers men's ice hockey season was the 36th season of play for the program, the 24th at the Division I level, and the 20th in the Atlantic Hockey conference. The Lakers represented Mercyhurst University and were coached by Rick Gotkin, in his 35th season.

Season

[edit]

Entering the year, Mercyhurst was seeing to continue its upwards swing but would have to first find a replacement for departed starting goaltender, Kyle McClellan. Graduate transfer Tyler Harmon eventually won the job to start the season but didn't keep the job for long. After just three games the two underclassmen, Owen Say and Matt Lenz, began seeing time in goal. Unfortunately, the change in goal didn't seem to provide any benefits for the Lakers. Mercyhurst began the year by losing each of its first six games and winning just once in its first twelve.

While the team was allowing an average of 4.5 goals against per game, the goaltending didn't appear to be the problem. Over the course of the season, the defense allowed all three of the team's goaltenders to come under a heavy barrage, allowing an average of nearly 37 shots against per game. In spite of those withering attempts, The team did show some life beginning in November. Once Harmon and Say began sharing the goal, Mercyhurst put together a 5-game winning streak and shot up into the top half of the conference standings.

Early December found the team's lack of offense begin to show and the Lakers went on an extended losing stretch. Over a more than three-month period, Mercyhurst went 2–11–1 and ended up near the bottom of the standings. During that time the team was able to score more than 3 goals on just 3 occasions, coincidentally, those were the only game that it did not lose. With on Eric Esposito showing any real offensive punch, the forwards were unable to provide enough scoring to offset the porous defense. Early January also saw the team abandon its goaltending rotation and stick with Harmon as the team's starter.

Mercyhurst ended the regular season 8th in Atlantic Hockey, just enough for them to receive the final berth into the conference tournament. Despite facing the bet team in the conference in the Quarterfinals, Mercyhurst was able to get a lead in both games. Unfortunately, as it had all season, the Laker's defense wasn't able to hold off the attack from RIT and allowed 96 shots in the two games. The Tigers scored the final three goals on both nights, sweeping the series and ending Mercyhurst's season.[1]

Shortly after the end of the season, Carson Brière was charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct stemming from an incident where he took a double amputee's empty wheelchair and pushed it down a flight of stairs while at a local bar.[2] Patrick Carrozzi, a member of the school's lacrosse team, was also charged.

Departures

[edit]
Player Position Nationality Cause
Michael Bevilacqua Forward  United States Graduation (retired)
Pierce Crawford Forward  United States Graduation (retired)
Devon Daniels Defenseman  Canada Graduation (signed with Dundee Stars)
Wyatt Head Defenseman  Canada Left program (retired)
Austin Heidemann Forward  United States Transferred to Rensselaer
Steven Ipri Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Wichita Thunder)
Henry Johnson Goaltender  United States Graduation (signed with Macon Mayhem)
Noah Kane Forward  United States Transferred to Long Island
Geoff Kitt Forward  Canada Graduation (signed with Kansas City Mavericks)
Josh McDougall Defenseman  Canada Graduation (signed with Wichita Thunder)
Kyle McClellan Goaltender  United States Transferred to Wisconsin
Dante Sheriff Forward  Canada Left program

Recruiting

[edit]
Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Steven Agriogianis Forward  United States 23 East Hanover, NJ; transfer from Northeastern
Tommy Bannister Forward  United States 21 Clayton, NY
Adrien Bisson Defenseman  Canada 23 Cornwall, ON; transfer from Maine
Ryan Coughlin Forward  United States 21 Charlotte, NC
Eric Esposito Forward  United States 24 West Haven, CT; graduate transfer from New Hampshire
Tyler Gaulin Forward  United States 20 Kingston, NH
Tyler Harmon Goaltender  United States 24 Jonesville, MI; graduate transfer from Vermont
Nicholas Kent Defenseman  United States 21 Ladera Ranch, CA
Brendon Michaelian Defenseman  United States 24 Wixom, MI; graduate transfer from Ferris State
Tyler Nasca Defenseman  United States 21 Wheatfield, NY
Owen Say Goaltender  Canada 21 London, ON

Roster

[edit]

As of August 16, 2022.[3]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Texas Matt Lenz Sophomore G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1999-06-02 Grapevine, Texas Steinbach (MJHL)
2 Virginia Philip Waugh Junior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 2000-01-10 McLean, Virginia P. A. L. (NCDC)
3 Michigan Jake Beaune Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-06-13 Livonia, Michigan Lincoln (USHL)
4 Ontario Cade Townend (A) Senior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-06-17 Carleton Place, Ontario Carleton Place (CCHL)
5 Michigan Brendon Michaelian Graduate D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-12-07 Wixom, Michigan Ferris State (CCHA)
6 Pennsylvania Carson Brière Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-09-23 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Trail (BCHL)
7 Connecticut Eric Esposito Graduate F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1998-08-24 West Haven, Connecticut New Hampshire (HEA)
8 Ontario Owen Norton (A) Graduate D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998-06-19 Ancaster, Ontario Surrey (BCHL)
9 New Hampshire Tyler Gaulin Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 2001-11-09 Kingston, New Hampshire Maine (NAHL)
10 New Jersey Steven Agriogianis Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1999-01-07 East Hanover, New Jersey Northeastern (HEA)
12 Pennsylvania Dustin Geregach Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2001-11-14 McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania Johnstown (NAHL)
13 Pennsylvania Paul Maust Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998-06-24 Butler, Pennsylvania Green Bay (USHL)
14 Ohio Gueorgui Feduolov Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-12-10 Mentor, Ohio Shreveport (NAHL)
15 New York (state) Tommy Bannister Freshman F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-09-05 Clayton, New York New Jersey (NAHL)
16 North Carolina Ryan Coughlin Freshman F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-02-09 Charlotte, North Carolina New Jersey (NAHL)
18 Pennsylvania Dalton Hunter Graduate F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1997-09-26 Greensburg, Pennsylvania Dubuque (USHL)
19 Illinois Garrett Dahm Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-06-29 Belleville, Illinois Youngstown (USHL)
20 Ontario Keanan Stewart Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2000-04-29 Elmira, Ontario Burlington (OJHL)
21 New Jersey Mickey Burns Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2000-04-03 Wayne, New Jersey Vermont (HEA)
22 New York (state) Kyler Head Junior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-07-13 Malone, New York Robert Morris (AHA)
23 New Jersey Jonathan Bendorf Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-02-26 Yardville, New Jersey Aberdeen (NAHL)
24 Minnesota Marko Reifenberger Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-01-19 Hastings, Minnesota Minnesota Magicians (NAHL)
25 Ontario Joseph Maziarz (C) Senior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-02-23 Waterloo, Ontario North York (OJHL)
26 California Nicholas Kent Freshman D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-02-01 Anaheim, California Vernon (BCHL)
27 Wisconsin Carver Watson Senior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-03-03 Appleton, Wisconsin Vernon (BCHL)
28 New York (state) Tyler Nasca Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2001-01-09 Buffalo, New York Lone Star (NAHL)
29 Ontario Adrien Bisson Senior D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-01-18 Cornwall, Ontario Maine (HEA)
30 Michigan Tyler Harmon Graduate G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1997-10-17 Jonesville, Michigan Vermont (HEA)
31 Ontario Owen Say Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 2001-06-05 London, Ontario Salmon Arm (BCHL)
37 Ontario Rylee St. Onge (C) Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1998-04-22 St. Catharines, Ontario Alaska Anchorage (WCHA)

Standings

[edit]
Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OW OL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
RIT 26 18 7 1 1 3 0 57 85 55 39 25 13 1 127 100
American International 26 14 8 4 2 0 3 47 87 62 39 18 14 7 124 98
Sacred Heart 26 14 9 3 2 0 2 45 87 72 37 17 17 3 107 112
Canisius * 26 13 10 3 3 1 1 41 76 71 42 20 19 3 118 119
Army 26 12 12 2 3 3 1 39 72 81 37 14 19 4 98 119
Niagara 26 10 13 3 0 3 2 38 73 86 40 19 18 3 119 129
Holy Cross 26 12 12 2 3 1 1 37 73 71 41 17 21 3 98 119
Mercyhurst 26 9 14 3 1 5 1 35 77 80 36 10 23 3 98 122
Bentley 26 8 16 2 1 1 1 27 61 89 34 11 21 2 81 124
Air Force 26 8 17 1 1 0 0 24 63 87 36 12 22 2 95 128
Championship: March 18, 2023
† indicates conference regular season champion (DeGregorio Trophy)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Riley Trophy)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

[edit]
Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Regular Season
October 1 7:05 PM #16 Ohio State* Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon L 2–4  1,500 0–1–0
October 2 4:05 PM #16 Ohio State* Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon L 1–4  716 0–2–0
October 7 7:00 PM at Rensselaer* Houston Field HouseTroy, New York ESPN+ Harmon L 3–6  1,278 0–3–0
October 8 7:00 PM at Rensselaer* Houston Field HouseTroy, New York ESPN+ Lenz L 2–3  1,732 0–4–0
October 13 7:00 PM at #20 Penn State* Pegula Ice ArenaUniversity Park, Pennsylvania   Harmon L 3–6  6,038 0–5–0
October 14 7:05 PM #20 Penn State* Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania   Say L 1–4  1,098 0–6–0
October 21 7:00 PM at Clarkson* Cheel ArenaPotsdam, New York ESPN+ Say W 2–1 OT 2,564 1–6–0
October 22 7:30 PM at Clarkson* Cheel ArenaPotsdam, New York ESPN+ Say L 1–5  3,003 1–7–0
October 28 7:35 PM at Niagara Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New York FloHockey Lenz T 4–4 SOL 708 1–7–1 (0–0–1)
October 29 7:00 PM Niagara Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Say L 2–3  612 1–8–1 (0–1–1)
November 4 7:05 PM Sacred Heart Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Say L 3–6  624 1–9–1 (0–2–1)
November 5 4:05 PM Sacred Heart Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon T 3–3 SOL 212 1–9–2 (0–2–2)
November 12 1:00 PM at Ferris State* Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan (Exhibition) FloHockey Lenz L 1–5  1,872
November 18 6:00 PM at Holy Cross Hart CenterWorcester, Massachusetts FloHockey Say W 3–1  517 2–9–2 (1–2–2)
November 19 2:30 PM at Holy Cross Hart CenterWorcester, Massachusetts FloHockey Harmon W 4–1  307 3–9–2 (2–2–2)
November 25 7:05 PM Air Force Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Say W 5–3  400 4–9–2 (3–2–2)
November 26 4:05 PM Air Force Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon W 4–2  300 5–9–2 (4–2–2)
December 9 7:05 PM Army Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Say W 4–3  1,184 6–9–2 (5–2–2)
December 10 7:05 PM Army Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon L 2–3 OT - 6–10–2 (5–3–2)
December 29 7:00 PM at Sacred Heart Total Mortgage ArenaBridgeport, Connecticut FloHockey Say L 3–4 OT 804 6–11–2 (5–4–2)
December 30 4:00 PM at Sacred Heart Total Mortgage ArenaBridgeport, Connecticut FloHockey Harmon L 1–4  981 6–12–2 (5–5–2)
January 7 7:00 PM at USNTDP* USA Hockey ArenaPlymouth, Michigan   Say L 1–6  1,367
January 13 7:05 PM at RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New York FloHockey Harmon T 4–4 SOW 2,060 6–12–3 (5–5–3)
January 14 5:05 PM at RIT Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New York FloHockey Harmon L 0–1  3,181 6–13–3 (5–6–3)
January 20 7:05 PM American International Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon W 4–1  600 7–13–3 (6–6–3)
January 21 4:05 PM American International Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon L 1–2 OT 354 7–14–3 (6–7–3)
January 27 7:05 PM Bentley Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon W 4–3  - 8–14–3 (7–7–3)
January 28 4:05 PM Bentley Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon L 3–5  682 8–15–3 (7–8–3)
February 3 9:00 PM at Air Force Cadet Ice ArenaColorado Springs, Colorado Altitude 2 Harmon L 3–4 OT 1,854 8–16–3 (7–9–3)
February 4 7:00 PM at Air Force Cadet Ice ArenaColorado Springs, Colorado Altitude 2 Harmon L 2–4  2,290 8–17–3 (7–10–3)
February 10 7:05 PM Canisius Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon L 3–4  - 8–18–3 (7–11–3)
February 11 4:00 PM Canisius Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon L 0–2  473 8–19–3 (7–12–3)
February 17 7:00 PM at Army Tate RinkWest Point, New York FloHockey Harmon L 2–3 OT 1,441 8–20–3 (7–13–3)
February 18 4:00 PM at Army Tate RinkWest Point, New York FloHockey Harmon W 7–3  1,700 9–20–3 (8–13–3)
February 24 7:05 PM Niagara Mercyhurst Ice CenterErie, Pennsylvania FloHockey Harmon W 3–2  783 10–20–3 (9–13–3)
February 25 7:00 PM at Niagara Dwyer ArenaLewiston, New York FloHockey Harmon L 3–5  1,115 10–21–3 (9–14–3)
Atlantic Hockey Tournament
March 3 7:05 PM at RIT* Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New York (Quarterfinal Game 1) FloHockey Harmon L 3–5  2,259 10–22–3
March 4 7:05 PM at RIT* Gene Polisseni CenterHenrietta, New York (Quarterfinal Game 2) FloHockey Harmon L 3–4 OT 2,901 10–23–3
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[4]

Scoring statistics

[edit]
Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Eric Esposito LW 35 17 15 32 14
Steven Agriogianis RW 23 4 15 19 2
Mickey Burns LW 36 11 7 18 22
Rylee St. Onge LW 24 8 7 15 8
Garrett Dahm F 32 7 7 14 8
Marko Reifenberger C 36 6 8 14 23
Cade Townend D 36 3 11 14 12
Kyler Head F 28 8 5 13 18
Carson Brière C/RW 30 5 8 13 14
Jonathan Bendorf LW 34 4 9 13 2
Dustin Geregach D 32 3 10 13 10
Gueorgui Feduolov F 35 6 6 12 20
Keanan Stewart F 34 5 4 9 12
Brendon Michaelian D 18 0 7 7 6
Joseph Maziarz D 23 3 3 6 2
Paul Maust LW 24 5 0 5 22
Dalton Hunter RW 28 0 5 5 18
Adrien Bisson F 36 0 5 5 13
Tommy Bannister F 16 1 3 4 2
Philip Waugh F/D 31 1 3 4 16
Owen Norton D 36 0 4 4 41
Jake Beaune D 30 1 1 2 22
Tyler Gaulin F 10 0 1 1 6
Ryan Coughlin F 17 0 1 1 6
Matt Lenz G 4 0 0 0 0
Owen Say G 11 0 0 0 0
Tyler Harmon G 24 0 0 0 2
Total 98 145 243 321

[5]

Goaltending statistics

[edit]
Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Matt Lenz 8 153:46 0 1 1 6 78 0 .929 2.34
Tyler Harmon 25 1423:17 6 16 2 75 806 0 .915 3.16
Owen Say 14 602:06 4 6 0 34 317 0 .903 3.39
Empty Net - 14:41 - - - 7 - - - -
Total 36 2193:50 10 23 3 122 1201 0 .913 3.34

Rankings

[edit]
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 27 (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 NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 1, 13, or 26.[6]

Awards and honors

[edit]
Player Award Ref
Eric Esposito Atlantic Hockey Regular Season Scoring Trophy [7]
Eric Esposito Atlantic Hockey Second Team [8]
Owen Say Atlantic Hockey Rookie Team [8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2023 Atlantic Hockey Postseason". Atlantic Hockey. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. ^ "Mercyhurst's Briere charged with criminal mischief, disorderly conduct after pushing empty wheelchair down flight of stairs". USCHO.com. March 20, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "2022–23 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Mercyhurst Athletics. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "2022-23 Men's Ice Hockey Schedule". Mercyhurst Lakers. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "Mercyhurst Univ. 2022-2023 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  6. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  7. ^ "Atlantic Hockey Announces 2023-23 Regular Season Awards". Atlantic Hockey. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Atlantic Hockey Announces 2022-23 All-Conference Teams". Atlantic Hockey. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.