BOSTON - The 2026 Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Postseason began with a pair of games in the tournament’s first round.

No. 10 Mercyhurst and No. 8 Niagara downed opponents to secure a spot in the upcoming best-of-three AHA Semifinal round between Friday, March 13, and Sunday, March 15.

NO. 10 MERCYHURST VS. NO. 7 CANISIUS
Mercyhurst got off to a strong start and held a 2-1 lead into the contest’s first intermission.

Once the Lakers built their lead, they kept it for the entire 60:00 of regulation. Five different skaters potted each goal for Mercyhurst.

Junior forward Sean James tallied three points (1G-2A) in the victory. Freshman goaltender Charles-Edward Gravel made a season high of 47 saves in the victory.

NO. 9 ARMY WEST POINT VS. NO. 8 NIAGARA
Niagara and Army West Point traded goals throughout the contest, with the Purple Eagles tallying the first three of the game.

The Black Knights scored four straight following the 0-3 deficit to take a 4-3 lead nearly halfway through the third.

14 seconds after falling behind 3-4, Niagara senior forward Nicholas Niemo tied the game 10:22 into the third period. Senior forward Noah Hackett scored the game-winner for the Purple Eagles 12:55 into the third period.

SCORES
NO. 10 MERCYHURST 5 - NO. 7 CANISIUS 2
BOX SCORE - RECAP
Mercyhurst Goals: Barrett Brooks, Ryan Coughlin, Sean James, Riley Fitzgerald, Christian Kocsis
Canisius Goals: Hunter Price, Walter Zacher

NIAGARA 5 - ARMY WEST POINT 4
BOX SCORE - RECAP  
Niagara Goals: Marshall Finnie (2), Jacob Maillet, Nicholas Niemo, Noah Hackett
Army West Point Goals: Jack Ivey (2), Dylan Wegner, Nik Hong

ABOUT ATLANTIC HOCKEY AMERICA
Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) is in its second season following the merger between the Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America. The conference fields 10 Division I men's teams and seven women's teams. For more information, visit atlantichockeyamerica.com.

Connect with AHA on X (@Atlantic_Hockey), Instagram (@atlantichockeyamerica) and Facebook (Atlantic Hockey America).

Watch AHA home games on FloHockey this season.