ERIE, Pennsylvania - The American International College ice hockey team fell to Mercyhurst University in an Atlantic Hockey Conference matchup on Friday, January 19.

FAST FACTS:
Final score: AIC 1, Mercyhurst 3
Records: AIC moves to 9-14-2 and 8-10-2 in conference play; Mercyhurst is now 12-10-2 and 9-7-2 in Atlantic Hockey.
Location: Mercyhurst Ice Center

STATS LEADERS:
AIC:
Blake Christensen (penalty shot goal, five shots on goal)
Shawn McBride (five shots on goal)
Ryan Polin (four shots on goal, two blocks)

Mercyhurst:
Bryan Sienerth (one goal, one assist)
Jack Riley (one goal)
Tommaso Bucci (one goal)
Brandon Wildung (32 saves)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lakers were on the board early, with Bryan Sienerth getting past freshman goaltender Stefano Durante at just 2:59 of the first period.
• At the 8:28 mark, after sophomore left wing Blake Christensen was tripped up on his way to the net, Christensen converted on the ensuing penalty shot to tie the game up at 1-1.
• Despite AIC's 20-11 advantage in shots on goal through the second period, Mercyhurst got two goals in the middle frame, including a shorthanded tally to go up 3-1 at 13:01.
• The Yellow Jackets continued to dominate in shots in the third period, 13-4, but could not add any goals to their total.

BUZZWORTHY:

• This was the first time since October 31, 2014 that AIC has been awarded a penalty shot.
• The Lakers and Yellow Jackets entered the game in a three-way tie for fourth place with Army in the Atlantic Hockey standings - each with 18 points up to this point in the season.
• AIC held a 33-15 advantage in shots on goal; that differential of 18 shots matches a season-high, as AIC outshot the Lakers 32-14 on December 8.
• The Lakers also blocked 19 of AIC's shot attempts; in total, the Yellow Jackets out-attempted Mercyhurst 62-39.
• The win extends Mercyhurst's win streak to four games.
• Junior defenseman Ryan Polin's four shots on goal ties a career high for a single game - he also had four shots on goal on October 29, 2016 against Mercyhurst, and also added a goal in that game.

COACH'S CORNER:

• "I thought we got better as the game went along," said AIC ice hockey head coach Eric Lang. "We held one of the most potent offenses in our league to 15 shots against. That will set us up for success. Credit Wildung, who is a very good goalie - I thought he was the difference in the hockey game. We need to clean some things up on our end for tomorrow, but overall, I liked our compete, execution and overall play. Some nights the pucks don't go in. I will make sure I go to church this Sunday."

NEXT UP:

• AIC and Mercyhurst close out the weekend series at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, January 20.
• Saturday's game will conclude a five-game road trip for the Yellow Jackets.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For more updates about the AIC ice hockey team, follow @AIC_Hockey on Twitter and Instagram, and like AIC Hockey on Facebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow @AICAthletics on Twitter and Instagram, and like AIC Yellow Jackets on Facebook.