Dan Koudys
Dan Koudys

Koudys Scores Winner in Third as Bentley Snaps Skid, 3-2 over Mercyhurst

WATERTOWN, Mass. – Sophomore Dan Koudys (Grimsby, Ontario/Burlington Cougars) broke a 2-2 tie early in the third period as Bentley University defeated Mercyhurst 3-2 Saturday night in Atlantic Hockey action at Ryan Skating Arena.

The Falcons took a 2-1 lead into the third period, but Lakers senior Scott Pitt knotted the score just 1:35 in.

Koudys though put Bentley right back in front just 23 seconds later with his sixth tally of the season and second in as many games. Freshmen Justin Breton (Fitchburg, Mass./Boston Jr. Bruins) and Zach Ledford (Folsom, Calif./Wichita Falls Wildcats) had the assists.

Bentley dominated play early on, outshooting the visitors by a whopping 20-6 margin in the first period, but Mercyhurst goalie Ryan Zapolski was up to the task and denied each one.

After being continually stonewalled by Zapolski well into the second period, the Falcons scored twice in a matter of 14 seconds. The breakthrough finally came with 5:29 left in the period when sophomore Joe Campanelli (Pierrefonds, Quebec/Westminster Prep) lit the lamp for the fifth time this season. Sophomore Brett Hartung (Tallahassee, Fla./Wichita Falls Wildcats) made it 2-0 with 5:15 left after he capitalized on a Zapolski miscue.

Mercyhurst though would be heard from before the period ended, as freshman Daniel O'Donoghue got his team back in the game with a goal just two seconds before the buzzer sounded.

Falcons goalie Joe Calvi (New Lenox, Ill./New England Jr. Huskies) made the lead standup after Koudys' goal, making 11 saves the rest of the way. He made 22 saves on the night to earn his fifth win of the season.

Bentley doubled Mercyhurst's shot total , 48-24. Zapolski was outstanding himself with 45 saves in the loss.

The win improves the Falcons' record to 6-12-4 overall and 5-9-3 in Atlantic Hockey, while the Lakers drop to 11-12-2 on the season and 9-9 in conference play.

Bentley is right back on the ice on Tuesday, when they travel to Hockey East member UMass-Lowell for its final non-conference game of the season. The action begins at 7:00 p.m. from Tsongas Arena.

Box Score

At Watertown, Mass.

Mercyhurst (11-12-2, 9-9 AHA)                  0   1   1   --   2

Bentley (6-12-4, 5-9-3 AHA0                      0   2   1   --   3

1st Period: No Scoring

2nd Period: B, Joe Campanelli (Jordy Trottier, Jared Rickord) 14:31; B, Brett Hartung (Jamie Nudy, Zach Ledford) 14:45; M, Daniel O'Donoghue (Phil Ginand, Ryan Raven) 19:58

3rd Period: M, Scott Pitt (Taylor Holstrom, Paul Chiasson) 1:35; B, Dan Koudys (Justin Breton, Ledford) 2:00

Shots: B, 48; M, 24

Saves: B, Joe Calvi 22; M, Ryan Zapolski 45

Penalties: B, 5-10; M, 3-6

Power Plays: B, 0-2; M, 0-5