ERIE, Pa. – The Army hockey team peppered Mercyhurst goaltender Jimmy Sarjeant with 39 shots, but couldn’t find the net as the Black Knights fell to the Lakers, 2-0, on Friday night at Mercyhurst Ice Center.
Army (2-5-1, 2-4-1 AHA) had many chances to get on the scoreboard with six power play opportunities, including a five-minute man advantage in the second period. Sophomore goaltender Parker Gahagen had 25 saves in the game with 12 in the third period to keep the Black Knights within striking distance.
The Lakers (4-3-0, 2-1-0 AHA) used two goals in a span of 44 seconds in the opening period to secure the win. Sarjeant made the lead hold up with his second career shutout. Kane Elliot and Zac Frischmon netted the two goals and both were their first collegiate tallies.
“Tonight Sarjeant showed why he was player of the year last year,” head coach Brian Riley said. “He was their best penalty killer tonight and made a lot of big saves for them tonight. We had some great opportunities and he made the saves when he had to.”
The first period had been Army’s best defensive period all month long, but Mercyhurst scored two quick goals to make it 2-0 at the end of one. The Black Knights came into tonight’s game allowing a total of two goals in the first frame all season. Kane Elliot tallied the first goal of the game with 3:15 left in the period, after collecting a rebound in the slot off a blocked shot. Frischmon tacked on another score 44 seconds later and the Lakers were up 2-0. His score was at the far post and after a shot by Alec Shields made it around the net.
The Lakers gave the Black Knights a few great chances with multiple power plays in the period, including a five-minute man advantage. Sarjeant, however, was able to keep the puck out of the net, making 12 saves with a majority of those stops coming on the kill.
Both teams couldn’t score in the final frame so the game ended with the Lakers taking home a 2-0 win. Army had a 5-on-3 power play that extended into the last period and then a short man advantage, but didn’t find the net. The Black Knights ended up 0-for-6 on the man advantage.
Army finished the night with a 39-27 shot advantage in the game and has had over 30 shots in all eight games this season.
“I thought this was one of our best efforts up here at Mercyhurst since I can remember,” Riley stated. “We needed a little puck luck tonight and it just didn’t work out for us.”
