POTSDAM, N.Y. – Despite a slow start, the Niagara men’s hockey team carried a 1-1 tie with ECAC opponent Clarkson halfway through the game. Late in the second period, however, the Golden Knights rattled off three goals in quick succession, sending Niagara to a 4-1 loss Saturday night at Cheel Arena.
With his second starts in as many nights, goaltender Guillaume Therien faced another onslaught of shots. The freshman finished with 22 saves on 23 first-period shots, and ended the game with 41 saves.
“There were not a whole lot of highlights on our side of the ledger,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “The play of Guillaume in net kept us in the game.”
Just over two minutes into the second period, Ryan Kuhn and Dan Kolenda had chances at a loose puck in front of the Clarkson net but were turned away. The puck found its way to the stick of Nick Farmer, who buried the shot in the top right corner to tie the game at one goal apiece.
Clarkson came out of the gates and stymied Niagara’s offense, denying most attempts to cut through the neutral zone. The Golden Knights led 23-4 in shots through one period, but only got one goal on the board as Jordan Boucher converted on a three-on-two break.
The difference in the game came late in the second period as Clarkson rallied with three goals in a stretch of 3:54. Sam Vigneault, Kevin Tansey, and Brett Gervais all scored for the Golden Knights, who would maintain their lead throughout the third period to the close of regulation time.
With 41 saves on consecutive nights, Therien finished with 82 saves, all in regulation time, this weekend. The last time Niagara goaltenders totaled more regulation saves in a weekend was Mar. 1 and 2, 2013, when Carsen Chubak and Cody Campbell combined for 86 saves in two games at Air Force.
The Purple Eagles have next weekend off from competition, giving them two weeks to prepare for their home opening series. The Robert Morris Colonials travel to Dwyer Arena for games on Oct. 23 and 24. Both games will face off at 7:00 p.m.
