SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Purple Eagles hockey team generated nine power-play chances against the American International Yellow Jackets, tying a season-high in that category. However, Niagara could only generate one goal on those nine chances, falling 3-1 against AIC Saturday evening at the MassMutual Center.
Following a scoreless 65 minutes of play Friday afternoon, Niagara and AIC nearly went the full length of the first period without a goal. Shots on goal were limited both ways, with the Yellow Jackets holding a slim 5-3 lead after 20 minutes. AIC gained the 1-0 lead at the first intermission, as Nicholas Luka had a shot deflected high in the air off of a Niagara stick, and the puck found its way past Jackson Teichroeb over the glove.
After going scoreless on three power-play chances in the first period, Niagara was held in check on another four chances in the second. On the other side of the ledger, AIC picked up a power-play goal of its own in the middle stanza. With a 5-on-3 opportunity just past the midway point of the second period, the Yellow Jackets worked a puck from the slot out to the right wing, where Austin Orszulak buried a one-time shot past an outstretched Teichroeb for the eventual game-winner. Derek Brown generated Niagara’s best chance of the second period six minutes in. Nicolas Carrier wrapped a pass around the back of the end to Brown right on the doorstep. Brown had two whacks at the puck but could not get past the pads of AIC goaltender Alex Murray. AIC took a 3-0 lead at the 3:43 mark. Just after the expiration of a Larry Smith penalty for roughing, Hugo Reinhardt made a pass from the right corner to find Martin Mellberg in front for the goal. Niagara was able to get a power-play marker 11 seconds into their ninth chance. With 6:12 to play in regulation, a pass that went off an AIC skate was corralled to the right of the goal by Nick Farmer. Farmer found a wide-open Stanislav Dzakhov set up to the far side for the Purple Eagles’ lone tally. Looking to narrow the deficit further, Niagara was forced to kill penalties for the final 3:23 of the contest, and AIC held on for the 3-1 victory.
Niagara returns to Dwyer Arena for a pair of games against the RIT Tigers next weekend. Both games on Friday and Saturday are slated for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, by phone at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), or in person at the Dwyer Arena box office.
from PurpleEagles.com via IFTTT