March 11, 2008

Wakefield, Mass - Mercyhurst junior goaltender Matt Lundin was named Atlantic Hockey Association Goaltender of the Week late yesteerday. Meanwhile, teammmates Matt Pierce and Mike Gurtler were named to the league's honor roll. All played instrumental roles in 4-1 and 2-1(ot) wins over Canisius last weekend that moved the Lakers into the Final Five in Rochester March 14-16.

Lundin was at his best. He stopped a combined 69 of 71 Canisius shots (.972) in the two wins including a point blank shot early in Friday's second period to keep the score 0-0. That save ignited Mercyhurst to three second period goals and the Lakers went on to a 4-1 win. He then continued his stellar play Saturday as Mercyhurst held back-to-back opponents to 1-goal each for just the second time this season. He was also the team's best penalty-killer as the Lakers snuffed out 17 of 18 Canisius efforts in the two games, including 4 five-on-threes.

Pierce stretched his scoring streak to 8 games and his goal-scoring streak to 3 with a goal in each game. He assisted on Mercyhurst's first of 3 second period goals in Friday's 4-1 win and scored the Lakers' third of that period on a power play. He then scored the first goal of the game on a power play in Saturday's 2-1. overtime win. Pierce is now second on the team in scoring and has scored a goal in 6 of his last 7 games. Pierce's 2 goals came on 7 shots.

Gurtler scored the final goal of Friday's 4-1 win. With Canisius trailing 3-1 but pressing the attack, the freshman's 8th goal of the season with under 4 minutes to play put the game away. It was his first gol since early February.

Mercyhurst (13-18-7) is preparing to play Sacred Heart (16-18-3) Friday night at 7:05 in Rochester. The winner of that game will play No. 1 seed Army Saturday at 4:05 in the semifinals. RIT and Air Force play in the other semifinal at 7:35.