Oxford, Ohio — The Niagara Hockey team opened the second half of the 2022-23 season on the road facing Miami (OH) for the first time in program history. In the first of two games on the weekend, the Purple Eagles jumped out to an early lead but fell 5-3 in the first game of the series.
Game Recap
First Period
- The opening period was wide open back and forth play with very few stoppages as the two teams both had six shots in the opening frame.
- At the 8:58 of the period, Albin Nilsson blocked a Redhawk shot and the puck found Casey Carreau’s stick and he flipped it out of the zone. Jay Ahearn had a clear cut breakaway and deked to his backhand and slid it through the Miami (OH) goalies legs.
- With 4:44 left in the opening period, Miami (OH) tied the game at one.
- Just 14 seconds later, the Purple Eagles took their lead back as the duo of Shane Ott and Lars Rodne forced a neutral zone turnover. The puck flipped up in the air and Ryan Cox controlled it and went in on a mini breakaway and beat the goalie to the blocker side.
- Niagara held the lead after the first period while winning 13 of 21 faceoffs.
Second Period
- Miami scored the lone goal in the second period as they tied the game at two at the 10:52 mark of the period.
- The Purple Eagles nearly doubled up the Redhawks in shots on goal in the second period as they had 15 shots while allowing eight shots from Miami.
- Niagara also did not allow a shot on the lone Miami power play while the Purple Eagles generated eight shots on their two power plays.
- In the faceoff circle the Purple Eagles won eight of 14 draws.
Third Period
- Miami broke the 2-2 tie at the 3:21 mark of the third period to take the 3-2 lead.
- Just under four minutes later at the 7:18 mark of the third period Nilsson won an offensive zone face off. Carreau passed the puck back to Lucas Bahn and he fired one towards the net, Nilsson tipped the puck into the net to tie the game at three.
- At the 11:42 mark, Miami took the 4-3 lead before scoring an empty net goal at the 19:03 mark.
- Despite being outscored the Purple Eagles outshot Miami 10-7.
Niagara Notes
- Carreau had two assists in the game, it is his fourth game this season in which he has had multiple points. It is the second time this season he has had two points against an NCHC opponents.
- Niagara blocked 16 shots in the game, with Jordan Wishman blocking a team high four shots.
- Chad Veltri made 16 saves in the contest and is now 16 saves away from 2,000 career saves.
- Nilsson had two points, it is his second game this season in which he had two points. It was his seventh multi-point game as a Purple Eagle.
- Niagara is now 4-1-0 in non-conference play and 2-1 against NCHC teams.
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles close out 2022 with the second game of the series against Miami (OH) at 4 PM.
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