'Cuse Hosts Mercyhurst in Conference Matchup

Syracuse vs. Mercyhurst
Game Details	Friday, Jan. 26 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| 7:00 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| Watch Twitter: @CuseIce
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Mercyhurst Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule

Syracuse vs. Mercyhurst
Game Details	Saturday, Jan. 27 \| Syracuse, N.Y. \| 3:00 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| Watch Twitter: @CuseIce

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange return to Tennity for the first weekend series of the 2018 calendar year, hosting Mercyhurst for a two-game set on Friday and Saturday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

LAST TIME OUT
The Orange closed out the season series against Penn State with a two-game set at University Park, a series which Syracuse swept 2-0 with two overtime victories. Senior Megan Quinn notched the game-winner in game one for Syracuse, while Savannah Rennie tallied the overtime goal in game two.

The Orange outshot the Nittany Lions 34-17 in game two, which is the sixth time this year that Syracuse has eclipsed the 30-shot mark. Senior Abbey Miller started in goal, amassing 45 saves between while allowing just three goals, good for a .938 save percentage in the series.

SCOUTING THE LAKERS
Mercyhurst sits at 12-12-2 on the season with a 9-2-1 record in conference play. Like Syracuse, the Lakers schedule up to this point has heavily featured top-notch teams. Like Syracuse, the Lakers are coming off a series sweep of fellow CHA opponent Lindenwood, outscoring the Lions 8-1 over the two games in Erie, Pa. Mercyhurst rides a five-game win streak into this weekend's matchup with the Orange.

Sophomore Maggie Knott paces the Lakers' offense with 22 points (8g, 13a), while junior Vilma Tanskanen leads the team in goals, notching 10 on the season. The Lakers are no strangers to success having made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 of the team's 18 seasons, including 10 straight appearances from 2005-14.

SERIES HISTORY
The Orange and the Lakers have faced off 44 times in Syracuse's 10-year program history with Mercyhurst holding the 36-5-3 edge in the all-time series. Mercyhurst came out on top in a two-game set early this season, outscoring the Orange 6-2 in December. Freshman Victoria Klimek recorded the lone goal in each game for Syracuse.

The Orange's last victory over the Lakers came on February 10, 2017 in a 3-0 shutout victory at home. Three of Syracuse's five victories against Mercyhurst have come when at Tennity.

OT WARRIORS
Saturday's game at Penn State was the fifth overtime contest for the Orange this season as Syracuse holds a 2-1-2 record when playing free hockey. It's also just the second time in program history that the Orange have posted back-to-back overtime wins, the first occurrence coming in 2016 when 'Cuse defeated Mercyhurst and Penn State in back-to-back games.

Only three current Orange have tallied a goal in overtime sessions, including Megan Quinn and Savannah Rennie who had the game winners against Penn State. Alysha Burriss notched an overtime goal in the 2016 CHA Tournament against Penn State to advance Syracuse to the Finals.

UP NEXT
The Orange take on Mercyhurst in the regular season finale between the two teams on Saturday, Jan. 27. The game can be streamed on Cuse.TV and admission to all home games at Tennity is free.

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