ERIE, Pa. The American International College ice hockey team returns to Atlantic Hockey Conference play this weekend as they travel to Mercyhurst University for a pair of contests on Friday and Saturday night.

The Jackets have earned points in five of their last six conference weekend's and look to continue that stretch as they try and improve their playoff position with just five weekend's remaining in the regular season.

Follow along this weekend to the LIVE STATS or VIDEO!

LAST TIME OUT: AIC earned one point this weekend against Bentley after dropping a 6-1 contest at Bentley on Friday they turned around to manage a 5-5 tie at home on Saturday. However, they are coming off their third shutout of the season on Tuesday night at Princeton falling 1-0.

ALL-TIME SERIES: This marks the 20th anniversary of the series which dates back to the 1995-96 season and the Lakers hold the 35-6-1 all-time record versus AIC including a weekend sweep in West Springfield last February winning 3-1 and 5-2.

FAST START: AIC jumped out to the early lead in both games this past weekend and held that lead at the end of the first period, but they were unable to maintain the momentum as they gave up the lead in the second period, which has been their worst of the season with a -29 scoring differential. The Jackets have scored first in 11 games this season, but only have a 3-7-1 record in such games and have not secured a victory when leading after the first period.

HIGH-FIVE: The five goal outburst on Saturday night is the best offensive performance for the Jackets all year and the most goals in a game since another 5-5 tie against No. 20 Robert Morris on November 21, 2014 a span of 48 games.

TRENDING NOW: Freshman Trevor Cope collected a pair of goals in Saturday's tie including the game-tying score late in the third period. The rookie now has four goals and four assists on the season in just 11 games. Sophomore Bryant Christian also had a two-goal weekend with a goal in each contest and is now second on the team with 14 points on six goals and eight assists and has at least one point in seven of his last nine games played.

MR. NICE GUY: Sophomore right-wing Jackson Dudley has evolved into an elite play-maker this season for AIC and has moved to the first-line. He is currently third on the team with 13 points on six goals and seven assists after just two points during his freshman season. He is also the only member of the Yellow Jackets not to commit a penalty this season.

BLOCK PARTY: AIC is fourth in Atlantic Hockey averaging 13.76 blocks per contest while freshman defenseman Ryan Polin paces the team and is sixth in the league with 45 blocks. That total is good for most among freshman in the conference.