Orange Close Out 2017 at Mercyhurst

Syracuse at Mercyhurst
Game Details	Friday, Dec. 8 \| Erie, Pa. \| 6:00 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| Watch Twitter: @CuseIce
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Mercyhurst Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

Syracuse at Mercyhurst
Game Details	Saturday, Dec. 9 \| Erie, Pa. \| 1:00 p.m.
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| Watch Twitter: @CuseIce

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange are set for a two-game series against CHA foe Mercyhurst in Erie, Pa. Syracuse looks to come home with a crucial four points in the final series of the 2017 calendar year.

Last Time Out
The Orange hosted reigning National Champion No. 3 Clarkson for a midweek matchup on Tuesday. Despite winning the faceoff battle, 35-29, Syracuse fell 5-0 to the Golden Knights. The Orange struggled on offense tallying only 19 shots compared to Clarkson's 35.

Senior goalie Abbey Miller started the game in net for the Orange, stopping seven of 10 shots faced.
Sophomore Ady Cohen entered the game in relief for Syracuse, playing the second and third periods between the pipes. She allowed just two goals and notched a career-best 23 saves, including 10 while the Orange were on a four-minute penalty kill.

Series History
The Orange and the Lakers have faced off 42 times in Syracuse's 10-year history with Mercyhurst holding a 34-5-3 edge in the all-time series. Syracuse split the season series with the Lakers last year, each team recording a win and a loss at their respective home rinks. The Orange's last victory over Mercyhurst came on Feb. 10. A 3-0 shutout win at home.

The Lakers have had the Orange's number when it comes to postseason play as the teams have squared off six times in the CHA Tournament: once in the first round, once in the semi-finals and four times in the Conference Finals. Mercyhurst has come out on top all six times, including a devastating 4-3 overtime loss for the Orange to end the 2015-16 season.

Scouting The Lakers
Mercyhurst sits at 4-10-2 on the season with a 3-1-1 record in conference play. Like Syracuse, the Lakers schedule, up to this point, has heavily featured top-notch opponents. Mercyhurst has squared off with five ranked teams thus far, posting a 1-8-1 record in those ten games.

The Lakers are coming off a two-game series against No. 9 Robert Morris. Mercyhurst played two tough games, outlasting Robert Morris 1-0 in game one before dropping game two, 2-1. 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.

Opponent Connections
There are several familiar faces on the Lakers as a few of the Orange members suited up alongside some Mercyhurst players prior to college. Freshmen Kristen Siermachesky and Victoria Klimek each spent time with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres where they played with Mercyhurst's Alexa Vasko, Megan Korzack and Rachel Marmen

Syracuse's Maddi Welch and Mercyhurst's Michele Robillard both attended the Nichols School, competing on the school's ice hockey team.

Up Next
The Orange take a break from game action for almost a month before facing off with CHA leader No. 9 Robert Morris in a two-game series on Jan. 5 and 6. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively, in Moon Township, Pa.