ERIE, Pa. – The Niagara Purple Eagles could not overcome an early deficit mixed with penalty trouble and fell to the Mercyhurst Lakers 4-1 on Saturday night.
The Lakers built a three-goal lead throughout the first period before the Purple Eagles were able to break through early in the second again on the power play. Niagara won the offensive-zone face-off to Keegan Harper who sent a pass to Kevin Patterson the opposite point. Patterson kept his shot low so TJ Sarcona was able to get a piece of it to deflect the shot past the goalie. The goal was Sarcona’s third of the year and brought the Purple Eagles within two, 3-1.
Niagara outshot Mercyhurst in the second period, but couldn’t climb any closer before a pair of penalties at the end of the frame sent NU into the third trying to kill a 5-on-3 Mercyhurst advantage. The Lakers converted with the two-man advantage to take a 4-1 lead 30 seconds into the final period, but Niagara was able to kill off the remainder of a five-minute major. Neither team would find the back of the net through the remainder of the game as the Lakers skated away with a 4-1 win.
“The guys worked their tails off for 60 minutes, from start-to-finish, but we didn’t work smart all the time,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “That’s where we need to get better, in those areas.”
Jackson Teichroeb made 27 saves in the loss. Niagara’s power-play unit went 1-for-4 while the penalty killers went 7-for-8.
The Purple Eagles played their second consecutive game with just five healthy defensemen forcing Patrick Conte, in his 52nd career game, to play his second game on the blue line.
Next weekend brings Niagara home for its final home series of the season when the Air Force Falcons come to Dwyer Arena on Friday and Saturday. For ticket information, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-8499.
