The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team broke its four-game winless streak over the weekend by sweeping American International College (AIC) on the road.

The Lakers traveled to West Springfield Mass. to beat AIC 3-1. The team continued their success into Saturday, outscoring AIC 5-2.

During Friday’s game, senior Matthew Zay started off the scoring by tipping senior Ryan Misiak’s shot past AIC’s goalie, Hunter Leisner, to give Mercyhurst an early lead. Senior Kyle Just had the lone assist on Zay’s goal.

AIC scored their only goal of the night 5:33 into the second period.

Four minutes later, sophomore Kyle Dutra capitalized on a power play.

Junior Anthony Mastrodicasa and senior Daniel Bahntge assisted Dutra’s game winning goal.

AIC pulled Leisner in hopes to catch up to Mercyhurst late in the third, but Bahntge gave his team an insurance goal, assisted by Just and senior Grant Gettinger, bringing the game to a close.

In the second game played Saturday, AIC struck first and was the only goal in the first period.

Senior Nardo Nagtzaam started off the second period scoring with a goal from freshman Zach Todd and Mastrodicasa.

Shortly after the goal, AIC came back to take the lead, which did not last long.

Mercyhurst senior, Tyler Shiplo, found the back of the net and tied the game at 2.

Newly acquired freshman, Bryan Sienerth, and Dutra assited Shiplo’s goal.

Junior Mychal Monteith scored his first collegiate goal from senior Zac Frischmon and Nagtzaam to give Mercyhurst a 3-2 lead.

Bahntge and Zay scored late in the third period to give Mercyhurst a little breathing room.

Bahntge’s goal was assisted by Just and Gettinger while Zay’s was assisted by Just and Monteith.

With a four point weekend, Mercyhurst improved their record to 14-10-4 which is enough for fourth place in the conference.

Freshman goaltender Brandon Wildung captured his fifth and sixth wins of the season with the sweep. He stopped 44 out 45 shots throughout the two games which led him to being named Atlantic Goaltender of the Week.

Red shirt freshman, Jack Riley, continues winning awards with the announcement of being named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the month for January.

During January, Riley had 3 goals and 8 assists giving him 11 points total.

The men are back at home to host Niagara University on Feb. 13 and 14. Both games start at 7:05 p.m.