The Niagara men’s hockey team were able to take advantage of several key scoring opportunities to come out with the 2-1 win against cross-town rival the Canisius Golden Griffins on Friday evening at Buffalo State Sports Arena.
Despite being outshot 32-23 by the Griffs (2-6-3; 1-2-1 AHA), the Purple Eagle (7-2-3; 6-0-0 AHA) defense and the stellar play of NU keeper Carsen Chubak helped Niagara become owners of the conference’s longest unbeaten streak of eight games, which is also second longest in the nation right now. During this stretch, Niagara has posted four shutouts and outscored its opponents 28-9.
“The first forty minutes was not our best game, but I was just proud of the guys how they bunkered down in the third,” head coach David Burkholder said. “We have a lot of warriors on defense. They don’t show up in the three-star selection most nights, but they are warriors back there. The group of six played really well, especially Weiss who as a senior captain led us in the final period.”
The Griffins earned an early powerplay opportunity just over two minutes played in the contest and saw several quality chance turned away by starting NU goaltender Chubak. Doug Beck had the best chance during the two minute man-advantage, finding himself alone in front of the net, but he could not lift the puck over the left pad of Chubak.
Just 45 seconds after killing off the penalty, Niagara capitalized on its second shot of the contest as Ryan Murphy grabbed his fifth goal of the season to put the Purps ahead a goal. Marc Zanette forced a Griffin turnover and the puck slipped out to the waiting Murphy who roofed one over the shoulder of Tony Caponianco.
The Griffs sustained their pressure in the second 20 minutes of play, not allowing the Purple Eagles to get a shot on net until nine minutes in. Beck had a chance to knot up the game three minutes into the period as the left winger streaked down the left boards and let a laser loose on Chubak, but the shot went just wide glove-side.
Niagara was able to grab the two-goal cushion on just its third shot of the period as a battle in front of the net saw Mike Benedict notch his fifth tally of the season. The play started off the stick of Dan Weiss who lofted a shot on Capobianco that he could not hold onto, and Benedict was able to find the loose puck to make it a 2-0 game
The Griff’s pressure finally paid off as Beck cut the lead in half with 4:22 left on the clock for his second goal of the season. Patrick Sullivan lofted a shot into traffic from the top of the circle that Beck tipped in under the pads of Chubak.
Despite having the lead, it was Canisius that headed into the final period with the 21-13 shot advantage.
The NU defense had to go to work late in the game as the Griffs found themselves with the man-advantage twice in the finals 10 minutes of play. Weiss made several key plays, including a diving stop to prevent Mitch McCrank from lifting an easy tying goal into an open net.
Benedict had an opportunity to solidify the win for the Purple Eagles after being awarded a penalty shot with under five minutes remaining in the game, but Capobianco came through for the Griffs with a sliding left pad stop. Capobianco’s efforts were not enough though, as NU stymied the Canisius comeback.
Chubak continued his solid play between the posts, recording 31 saves on the night to improve his record to 7-1-3.
“Chubak kept us in the game as he’s been doing all season,” Burkholder added. “It’s a national story and we got to have good goaltending, especially on the road to win. Our bench feeds off of him. He’s played great from start to finish. He’s our hardest working kid from Monday through Thursday so you get what you deserve.”
Murphy has been hot as of late, going 5-5-10 in his last seven games.
