Aug. 24, 2006

ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College club hockey team finished the 2005-2006 season with a winning record of 21 wins and 10 losses under first year coach Tom McKinnon. The club team finished 15-1 in ECHL Conference play giving them the number one seed going into the league playoffs, but the team suffered a disappointing loss to Robert Morris University in the semi-finals of the ECHL Championship.

The Lakers qualified for the National Tournament having secured the top spot in the ECHL and faced off against the #2 seeded team from Ohio University. The Ohio Bobcats are among the premier teams in the ACHA and they hold five national championships since 1995. Coach McKinnon knew that his team had their work cut out for them, but with proper planning he knew that his players could pull off the upset with focused execution of their game plan and that's what they almost did. Mercyhurst created some excellent scoring opportunities off of several neutral zone turnovers that eventually led to a couple 1 on 0 breakaways. Momentum gradually shifted to the Bobcats who broke the 2-2 tie midway through the third period and eventually won the game 3-2.

Several players on the club team including Junior Brent Klimow, Freshman Adam Falkner and Senior Ryan Bessey received ECHL all-star nominations. Brent Klimow, the team's leading scorer was also recognized by the ACHA having been voted 3rd Team All-American. In addition, Junior Brent Klimow, Freshman Adam Falkner, Sophomore Brad Maxa and Junior Kenny Waszak were invited to tryout for Team USA who will compete at the World University Games in Torino, Italy in 2007. Kenny Waszak was unable to attend camp due to injury, while Klimow, Falkner and Maxa are awaiting word from the USA Hockey Selection Committee.