NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision to the Clarkson Golden Knights in the opening game of the 2013-14 season on Saturday evening at Dwyer Arena.
In a hard-hitting game that saw 60 minutes of penalty time between the two teams, the Golden Knights managed to get by the superb goaltending play of rookie Jackson Teichroeb in the final stages of the third frame to halt NU’s 22-game home unbeaten streak that dated back to Feb. 11, 2012.
“We just didn’t shoot it enough tonight,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “We were looking to make pretty plays when we shouldn’t have and that’s not our game. We need to make better decisions on the blue line, get it on net and crash the net. It was a tough night in that regard. We’re just going to have to man up and get in there tomorrow to have any chance.”
Teichroeb kept the Purple Eagles in the game in his first contest as a Purple Eagle, stopping 39 of 41 attempts on net.
“I was very impressed with Jackson tonight,” Burkholder added. “He’s the star of the game, and unfortunately we didn’t get the win for him. Jackson is highly decorated coming out of juniors. We thought he would be really good, and if that’s the start of it than we’re in great shape.”
The opening period was a back-and-forth affair where neither team found the back of the net. Both squads had a pair of power play opportunities, but the goaltenders stood strong between the pipes as Teichroeb pushed aside 13 Clarkson shots, while Greg Lewis made six stops.
Niagara was the first to capitalize on the powerplay as Mike Conderman secured his first goal as a Purple Eagle seven minutes into the second frame. Kevin Ryan connected with Conderman who flew down the left wing before wrapping around the net, and pushing the puck past Lewis. Teichroeb was awarded the secondary assist on the tally.
Clarkson would score the game’s final two goals, with the equalizer coming at the midway mark of the second while on the two-man advantage off the stick of Allan McPherson. Paul Geiger had the initial shot on Teichroeb that flew wide off the glass, but the rebound bounced out to McPherson who snapped it top shelf to make it 1-1.
The Golden Knights continued to press in the third period, peppering Teichroeb with shots until Jarrett Burton secured the victory for Clarkson after finding a loose puck in front of the trafficked NU net and sneaking it past the goaltender. The Purple and White pulled Teichroeb in the waning seconds of the game, but Niagara’s efforts were pushed aside by Lewis.
Niagara finished the game with 20 shots, compared to Clarkson’s 41 looks on net.
The Purple Eagles will look to rebound against the Golden Knights with a 2 p.m. game at Dwyer Arena. Tomorrow’s game will be available on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel with Dave Miller and Chris Panek on the call.
