MILFORD, CT (February 7, 2003) - The Sacred Heart men's ice hockey team was defeated by Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent Mercyhurst College, 5-4, in overtime. Senior Richard Naumann (Boerne, TX) led the Pioneers with two points, both assists.

Junior Chuck Metcalfe (Edmonton, AB) opened the scoring just 33 seconds into the game from sophomore Barclay Folk (Westbank, BC) and Naumann. Laker T.J. Kemp answered the Pioneers at 3:38. The Pioneers came back at 8:25 with a goal by senior Martin Paquet (Ste. Catherine, QUE), assisted by freshman Rocco Molinaro (Dearborn, MI) and junior Marc-Andre Fournier (St. Nicholas). The Lakers tied the score again just eight seconds later from Scott Reynolds. Freshman Peter Giatrelis (Hamden, CT) closed out the period at 13:41 from freshman Erik Roos (Milford, CT) to give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead heading into the second.

Laker Rich Hansen tied the score at three with a goal at 5:03. Freshman Bernie Chmiel (Pittsburgh, PA) tallied at 16:20 on the power play from junior Mike Reagan (Flin Flon, MB) and Naumann. The Lakers closed out the second period scoring at 18:59 from Peter Rynshoven. With just 14 seconds remaining in the third period, the Lakers had a goal disallowed for a crease violation, sending the game into overtime. Laker P.J. Hiscock tallied the game-winner at 1:50 from Dave Borrelli and Adam Rivers.

Senior Eddy Ferhi (Charenton, France) made 19 saves in the loss, while Laker goaltender Andy Franck made 24 saves.

The Pioneers return to action tomorrow, February 9th as they play host to Canisius College at the Milford Ice Pavilion at 5 pm.

at Milford, CT
                        1       2       3       OT-     F
Sacred Heart            3       1       0       0-      4
Mercyhurst              2       2       0       1-      5



Scoring:
SHU - 
Chuck Metcalfe (
Barclay Folk, 
Richard Naumann), 0:33, 1st
MRC - TJ Kemp (Conrad Martin, Preston Briggs), 3:38, 1st
SHU - 
Martin Paquet (
Rocco Molinaro, 
Marc-Andre Fournier), 8:25, 1st
MRC - Scott Reynolds (Erik Johnson), 8:33, 1st
SHU - 
Peter Giatrelis (
Erik Roos), 13:41, 1st
MRC - Rich Hansen (Martin), 5:03, 2nd
SHU- 
Bernie Chmiel (
Mike Reagan , Naumann), 16:20, 2nd , PP
MRC - Peter Rynchoven (Mark Chambers, Hansen), 18:59, 2nd
MRC - PJ Hiscock (Dave Borrelli, Adam Rivers), 1:50, OT



Saves:  SHU - 
Eddy Ferhi, 19 saves; MRC - Andy Franck, 24 saves.