Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara hockey team picked up their first Atlantic Hockey win of 2024 as they downed No. 19 RIT at Dwyer Arena on Thursday night. Niagara won 3-1 for their third straight win over RIT in the last two seasons.
First Period
Both teams’ goalies were perfect in the first period as RIT had 14 shots on goal while Niagara had 10 shots.
At the 5:30 mark of the period, Niagara goalie Jarrett Fiske made his 1,000th career save.
Niagara struck first just over two minutes into the second period. At the 2:09 mark Olivier Gauthier entered the RIT zone with Glebs Prohorenkovs and Luke Mylymok. Gauthier found a wide open Prohorenkovs in the slot, Prohorenkovs found an open L. Mylymok in the bottom of the right faceoff circle. L. Mylymok made no mistake and roofed the puck into the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season. Prohorenkovs picked up his fourth assist of the season while Gauthier picked up his seventh assist.
Just over seven minutes later at the 9:25 mark, the Purple Eagles doubled their lead to 2-0. After Fiske made a save on a two-on-one, Jay Ahearn picked up the puck in his own zone. He fired a pass to Carter Randklev who was behind the RIT defensemen. Randklev went in on the break-a-way and fired a wicked wrister to the top right corner of the net for his sixth goal of the year. Ahearn picked up ninth assist of the season while Fiske notched his third career assist.
Despite being outshot 28-19 after two periods Niagara led 2-0.
The Purple Eagles kept the Tigers off the board on their two power plays in the period.
Third Period
Niagara took a three-goal lead 7:50 into the third period as Ahearn notched his team leading seventh goal of the season. The trio of Ahearn, Randklev, and Tyler Wallace forced a turnover in the neutral zone. Wallace made a touch pass to Randklev who entered the RIT zone, while Ahearn created a mini two-on-one by driving to the net. Randklev round Ahearn streaking the net and hit him with a pass and Ahearn finished on his backhand.
RIT got on the board with just 1:13 left on the clock as they had their goalie pulled.
Niagara limited RIT to just one shot on their lone power play in the third period.
Niagara Notes
· Niagara is now 3-0 in their last three games against RIT, it is the first time since 2012-13 that Niagara has defeat RIT in three straight games.
· RIT entered the game ranked 19th in the USCHO poll, it is Niagara’s first ranked win this season. Last season Niagara swept RIT when they were ranked 18th in the country.
· Fiske made 41 saves in his seventh win of the season. It is his first 40+ save performance as a Purple Eagle and the second of his career.
· Niagara blocked 16 shots in the game while Prohorenkovs and Lane Brockhoff each had three blocks to lead the team.
· The Purple Eagles were perfect on the penalty kill as they allowed seven shots on three RIT power plays.
· Ahearn leads Niagara in goals and points with seven goals and 16 points. Wallace, Randklev, and L. Mylymok are tied for second with six goals each.
· Fiske improves his save percentage to .916 while having a 2.47 goals against average.
· Niagara is now 5-2-0 this season when they score first.
· The Purple Eagles are 6-1-1 this season when leading after two periods.
· Prohorenkovs had a team high 12 wins in the faceoff circle while Wallace had eight.
· Niagara now has 18 points in Atlantic Hockey play while being 6-7-1 in AHA play.
Up Next
Niagara heads to Erie on Saturday to take on the Mercyhurst Lakers for the second time this season. Niagara played Mercyhurst on Oct. 21 at Dwyer Arena. The teams tied with Mercyhurst earning bonus point in the shootout. Faceoff on Saturday is scheduled for 7 PM.
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