The Official Thread of the Mercyhurst Lakers

[MICZamboni]

The good news is it will be decided on the ice. And may the best team win.

Amen to that!!!

[quixote]

Ineresting game. 4-3 Mercyhurst after two. I think Agosta has a hat trick.
Hosier allowed three in the first period.

[quixote]

Final 5-4 MC who had 55 shots. Yale goalie Zillis did a great job according to announcers.

[dave1381]

That's 12 goals allowed in the last 4 games for Mercyhurst -- a pretty shockingly high total. And one of those games was a shutout.

Regarding, the Mercyhurst vs. Wisconsin discussion from before, I thought Mercyhurst clearly deserved to be the No. 1 team at the end of the first half. After the last couple weeks, I'm not so sure. The tie last week was just a blip on the radar. Now I think we're seeing more of a disturbing trend.

The following is a total oversimplification, but this game on the season results page looks like one of those in past seasons where Mercyhurst would say, lose 3-0 to Colgate and it would seem totally out of character. This season, Mercyhurst has Agosta, so instead of losing that kind of game 3-0 they win it 5-4 with Agosta having a four-goal, one-assist effort. She's certainly the kind of player that can do a lot to bail you out of a poor defensive performance. That said, that's not going work three games straight in March, and I'm sure everyone knows that.

[MICZamboni]

That's 12 goals allowed in the last 4 games for Mercyhurst -- a pretty shockingly high total. And one of those games was a shutout.

Regarding, the Mercyhurst vs. Wisconsin discussion from before, I thought Mercyhurst clearly deserved to be the No. 1 team at the end of the first half. After the last couple weeks, I'm not so sure. The tie last week was just a blip on the radar. Now I think we're seeing more of a disturbing trend.

The following is a total oversimplification, but this game on the season results page looks like one of those in past seasons where Mercyhurst would say, lose 3-0 to Colgate and it would seem totally out of character. This season, Mercyhurst has Agosta, so instead of losing that kind of game 3-0 they win it 5-4 with Agosta having a four-goal, one-assist effort. She's certainly the kind of player that can do a lot to bail you out of a poor defensive performance. That said, that's not going work three games straight in March, and I'm sure everyone knows that.

I agree however, even though I wasn't at the game yesterday I am tending to believe that the score probably had something to do with poor goaltending. Hosier is going through a tough time at the moment. I don't know if it was poor defense yesterday or not but Hosier hasn't been living up to her Canadian U22 status of late. When she gets it back, look out.

[quixote]

Hosier playing well today. MC up 3-0 halfway through the 3rd.

[FacFan]

I agree with Dave that the Lakers are going through a flat period, especially on defense. While it's true Laura is a bit unsettled, the defense isn't smothering the opponent offenses like they are capable of doing. A relative of mine watched the Yale game, and while he was very impressed with Megan, he thought Yale got a few goals that a really great team would not have allowed.
That said, one would expect the team to go through something like this. The question is whether they can come out of the other end of a funk and peak (re-peak?) right around the playoffs. I'm thinking Wisconsin squeaks into first in one or both polls this week. I'm also thinking we sweep Niagara, Wisconsin loses a close one to M-D on the road, and Mercyhurst goes back into first place in two weeks. Go Lakers!

[dave1381]

Wisconsin has been absolutely dominant since Jan. 1. If the Badgers keep that up against UMD, then I think they've earned the No. 1 ranking. Mercyhurst recent performance I think are enough to put them in danger of losing the No. 1 ranking. I don't think they should lose it, but it takes 3 of 10 people to change their minds to join the other 5 voting for the Badgers. If Wisconsin played a schedule as tough as Mercyhurst's in the first half, I think they'd have another loss or two and Mercyhurst's position would look better.

[wihockeyguy]

If Mercyhurst wouldnt have paid off the NC$$ Clearinghouse to allow Agosta to be admitted and if Mercyhurst would require her to take actual classes, they wouldnt be in the position they are in this season.

[WHKY blogger]

If Mercyhurst wouldnt have paid off the NC$$ Clearinghouse to allow Agosta to be admitted and if Mercyhurst would require her to take actual classes, they wouldnt be in the position they are in this season.

Go troll elsewhere, nobody wants to hear it.

[mort87]

Not only the clearinghouse, but the NCAA also, I strongly suggest you get a life bro. Your right about one thing though, where ever Meghan Agosta has gone, the teams have always been successful. You can be assured that whether Mercyhurst wins or loses, the opposing team will know that they have been in a hockey game. I suspect that they will kick some royal you know what, before it's all said and done.

[MICZamboni]

Not only the clearinghouse, but the NCAA also, I strongly suggest you get a life bro. Your right about one thing though, where ever Meghan Agosta has gone, the teams have always been successful.
Ignore the guy, he is looking for someone to respond. Everyone knows what he says isn't true.
You can be assured that whether Mercyhurst wins or loses, the opposing team will know that they have been in a hockey game. I suspect that they will kick some royal you know what, before it's all said and done.

And not just because of Meghan Agosta although she is definately part of it. I like the play of Chouinard as of late and Payne has been playing well. Looking foward to seeing them again this weekend against Niagara.

[FacFan]

Wow! Was I wrong. I'm surprised, and pleased, to see the Lakers still #1 in BOTH polls. I have to admit, if I'd been voting I would have felt obligated to give the Badgers a serious look for #1. Good luck to them this weekend. Those Bulldogs are looking tough and leaving Duluth with 4 points could be rough.
At our end, decisive back-to-back victories against Niagara is a must. Can we get pumped for this series? GO LAKES!

[WOODY THE WOODPECKER]

If Mercyhurst wouldnt have paid off the NC$$ Clearinghouse to allow Agosta to be admitted and if Mercyhurst would require her to take actual classes, they wouldnt be in the position they are in this season.

i am not a related to Agosta, no way, no how but i have watched her play for 5-6 years now and if you honestly think that a small school like Mercyhurst can actually buy their way around all of the NCAA rules set forth for all athletes you are on some pretty strong drugs. there is now way in hell that Mercyhurst is going to risk their program for one player.

give her a break. is she a rocket scientist? no and most of these young ladies never will be either. they are just like you and i when we were 19-21 years old. they are trying to figure things out, they are scared even though they might not admit it but they are unsure of their future. are there any adults out there that are scared about their future? welcome to the real world.

if Agosta can not make the minimum GPA she will go to summer school and next year if she can not pass the easiest classes then time will tell. lets give her a chance to find her self. maybe she needs somebody to help her. lets hope she does find her nitch becasue we need all of our children to find their success in life.

and don't be such a poor loser if Agosta gets the winning goal against your daughter--just enjoy the moment and give credit to all that deserve it-including you the parents.

[FacFan]

Well said.

[dave1381]

if Agosta can not make the minimum GPA she will go to summer school and next year if she can not pass the easiest classes then time will tell.
I would think that the college environment would be much better for her than the previous year or two, bouncing around the Olympics and junior hockey tournaments and what not. I would think the college environment is much better structured and used to dealing with athletes than whatever support system she had before. I would expect Mercyhurst is giving her whatever help she needs.

Because she's a Kazmaier nominee, her fall GPA got released to every coach in the country and others. She's doing fine so far.

[MICZamboni]

I would think that the college environment would be much better for her than the previous year or two, bouncing around the Olympics and junior hockey tournaments and what not. I would think the college environment is much better structured and used to dealing with athletes than whatever support system she had before. I would expect Mercyhurst is giving her whatever help she needs.

Because she's a Kazmaier nominee, her fall GPA got released to every coach in the country and others. She's doing fine so far.


Dave,

I have always enjoyed your posts but this may be one of your best ones. I am glad someone can put to rest this whole "Agosta and grades" ordeal. I have heard nothing but negatives about Megan and grades since she announced she was coming to Mercyhurst. Quite frankly, I don't think its any ones business but hers. But now since it was announced because of her nomination hopefully this puts this whole thing to bed.

Congrats once again to Agosta and also to Hosier.

Now lets beat up on those Purple Eagles this weekend.

GO LAKERS

[MICZamboni]

Mercyhurst came away with a nice victory last night over Niagara 3-1. Niagara came out flying, as they usually do against us, and went up 1-0 in the first. Niagara hit three posts after that in the 1st period which could have made things worse. The Lakers settled down and played pretty well after that. It seemed the ref was working in a new whistle which slowed the tempo down but I can't complain, this time, since the Lakers scored 3 power play goals.
I have a feeling this game today won't be nearly as close.

Good luck Lakers!!!

[MICZamboni]

I should have just pasted this earlier rather than giving my account. Here is the article in today's Erie Times News:

'Hurst women power past Niagara


BY RON LEONARDI
ron.leonardi@timesnews.com [more details]


Published: February 03. 2007 6:00AM

After an 0-for-8 showing on power plays against Quinnipiac last week, the Mercyhurst College women's hockey team spent a lot of time in practice this week tweaking it.

The No. 1 Lakers got the results they were looking for against Niagara on Friday, netting three power-play goals in a 3-1 College Hockey America victory before 773 fans at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Senior winger Stefanie Bourbeau scored twice for the Lakers (24-1-2 overall, 5-0-0 CHA), who extended their unbeaten streak to 15 games (14-0-1).

Mercyhurst also stretched its unbeaten streak against CHA opponents to 30 games (27-0-3). Niagara is the last team to defeat the Lakers in conference play, winning 3-1 March 6, 2004.

"We didn't play great today but we won and we did what we had to," Mercyhurst coach Michael Sisti said. "All year we've been winning different ways."


Mercyhurst's special teams stepped up in Friday's victory. The Lakers killed all eight Niagara power plays and generated 22 shots on their nine power plays.

"We tried different units and different people every time and we all brought something different on each power play," said Bourbeau, who scored her 15th and 16th goals. "We tried different things from down low and up high. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but we found a way to score tonight."

Bourbeau, who entered the game as the team's fourth-leading scorer, gave the Lakers a 2-1 lead at 7 minutes, 17 seconds of the second period.

Working in traffic in front of the net, Bourbeau gathered a pinpoint right-corner pass from linemate Meghan Agosta, turned and got off an awkward backhander past Niagara goalie Allison Rutledge.

"It was a great play," Sisti said. "She's a senior and she's having her best year ever. Clearly, she's starting to hit her stride again just when we need her to. I think a few games after Christmas she was maybe a bit snakebitten, and just recently she is starting to score again."


Bourbeau added her second power-play goal in the third period on a rebound off of a right-point shot from defender Michelle Bonello.

Niagara (7-15-5, 2-3-0) grabbed a 1-0 lead at 5:10 of the first period. The Lakers tied the game late in the first period on sophomore defender Natalie Payne's power-play goal. Her shot from the left point deflected off a Niagara skater in front and past Rutledge.

"They (coaches) want me to start shooting more on the power play," said Payne, who extended her point-scoring streak to 10 games. "Normally, I try to pass to try and set up somebody, but I need to get my shots off more."

Mercyhurst hosts Niagara today at 2 p.m. at the MIC.

[FacFan]

The weekend went pretty much according to script. The Badgers struggled with the Bulldogs and had all they could handle to avoid a double tie. The Lakers swept Niagara and in the second half of the second game looked like the crushingly dominant team they've been so often this year. I keep thinking that if they put together three periods of that sort of play in one game (as they have twice at home), it's hard to know who can beat them.

What are the dates for the Lake Placid playoffs? (Every time I tell someone when I think they are -- March 16 and March 18 --they tell me I'm crazy.) I've never been to a Frozen Four. Can anybody give me some pointers about such things as when, and how best, to make reservations in Lake Placid? Buy tickets to the games? I've been there twice (skiing at Whiteface) and stayed at the same hotel. Anybody have a favorite hotel? Assuming we win in the first (local) round, are there groups of fans, parents, students going? I've walked to the Olympic Ice Center, but never driven. Is there parking at the Ice Center? Any info would be appreciated. I don't want to blow a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see our girls win the whole thing!