The Purple Eagles wrap up the 2014 calendar year with a home-and-home with the RIT Tigers on Friday and Saturday with both games being broadcast on the Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. Both games begin at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday’s game at Dwyer Arena will feature a Teddy Bear Toss to benefit Carly’s Club after the Purple Eagles’ first goal.
History 101
* These teams have gone head-to-head 26 times since their first meeting on Nov. 2, 1996, which went down as a 9-4 win for RIT.
* Niagara holds a commanding 14-3-9 lead in the all-time series.
* The Purple Eagles are on an eight-game unbeaten streak against the Tigers. The streak started on De. 12, 2012 with a 2-2 tie and NU’s record currently sits at a 5-0-3.
Last Time Out
* Isaac Kohls<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4707> and Patrick Conte<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4703> led the Niagara offense as the Purple Eagles topped the Tigers 5-1 in the old Ritter Arena to top off the weekend sweep. Kohls and Conte both added a pair of goals while TJ Sarcona<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4715> notched the other tally. Adrian Ignagni<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4706> made the start in goal and got the win after posting a then-career-high 40 saves.
Let’s Go To The Highlights
* Last season’s RIT weekend was a big one for several Purple Eagles.
* Phillip Nasca<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4711> set his record for points and assists in a game with two helpers against the Tigers on Jan. 24, 2014.
* Isaac Kohls’ two goals on Jan. 25, 2014 are a career-high for goals in a game. Patrick Conte set his record for goals in a game with his two in the same matchup.
* Hugo Turcotte<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4717> tied his record and Vincent Muto<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4710> set his career high for assists in a game, each with two on Jan. 25, 2014.
* Adrian Ignagni turned in a big weekend overall. He earned his first-career shutout on Jan. 24 before setting his personal record for saves in a game with 40 (which was broken this year with 42 against Robert Morris on Oct. 17). He earned AHA Goalie of the Week honors after stopping 69 of 70 shots for a .986 save percentage.
* Dan Kolenda<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4708> and Chris Lochner<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4709> set career records back in 2013, before it was cool. Kolenda scored a goal and added an assist to set his record for points in a game (with two). Lochner added a pair of assists to set his career-best for assists in a game.
Taking the Lead
* The freshman and junior classes are tied for the lead in scoring with 22 points apiece.
* Freshmen have combined for 10 goals and 12 assists. Robert Angiolella<http://www.purpleeagles.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4817> has taken the lead in that class with five goals (tied for the team lead), three assists, and eight points.
* The juniors have combined for eight goals and 14 assists. Hugo Turcotte’s five goals (the other player tied for the team lead), four assists, and nine points lead all three categories.
Turcotte (SH)
* Turcotte’s shorthanded tally in the second period of the 4-2 loss to Holy Cross on Dec. 6 was his second of the season and ties him for first place nationally in shorthanded goals.
