GRAND FORKS, ND – The Niagara Purple Eagles saw their non-conference slate come to a close with a 5-0 loss to No. 2/3 North Dakota on Saturday night at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Neither team could find a way to get on the scoreboard through the first period. The Purple Eagles played a stellar road period in the opening frame as the visitors limited North Dakota’s grade-A chances while finding a way to collect a few of their own.
“I thought we went toe-to-toe with them for the first 20 minutes,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “Again, our second periods haven’t been great all season and they capitalized. Certainly that power-play goal took the steam out of us.”
A three-goal second sent UND into the final period with a 3-0 lead. The first two goals came within a four-minute stretch in the middle of the period with the third tally coming in the final minute on a shot from the point that got deflected in a lot of net-front traffic. Jackson Teichroeb turned in 13 saves in the second on his way to 38 on the night.
North Dakota added another pair of goals in the third on the way to the eventual 5-0 final.
“That’s a pretty good team over there,” said Burkholder. “They’re very tough to play against; they’re big, and strong, and physical. When they needed to make plays, they made plays. We’re hoping these experiences will make us better once we get back to Atlantic Hockey play.”
The NU penalty kill unit went 3-for-4 on the night, including the majority of a five-minute major in the third period.
The Purple Eagles return home for the first time since Dec. 13 when they host Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius on Thursday, Jan. 22. Face-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sportschannel.
