MILFORD, Conn. – In their first game back from a three-week holiday break, the Purple Eagles hockey team was shut out 4-0 by the Sacred Heart Pioneers.
Niagara (3-12-2, 3-7-1 AHC) failed to score on five power-play chances, while Sacred Heart (6-10-2, 5-7-1 AHC) cashed in with a shorthanded goal and a power-play goal during a three-goal second period to send Niagara to the loss.
“Any chance of a close game was extinguished with two bad goals early in the second period,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “Too many turnovers led to a sloppy game with little sustained flow or pressure for our team.”
Jackson Teichroeb made his second start of the season in net, turning away 21 of 25 shots faced. Niagara outshot the Pioneers 36-26 in the game, including a 14-5 advantage in the third period, but Pioneers netminder Brett Magnus turned away every shot in the shutout. Dan Kolenda and Johnny Curran led the Purple Eagles with five shots each.
Niagara jumped out to an early lead in the shot department, taking a 5-2 advantage just five minutes into the game. but Sacred Heart scored the first goal of the evening. Zach Luczyk got free on a 2-on-1 for the Pioneers, and the Purple Eagles could not turn away the opportunity. The Purple Eagles were unable to close the gap in the first period, as Sacred Heart picked up the pace following their goal and ended 20 minutes with the shot totals even at nine apiece.
Sacred Heart doubled its lead just 30 seconds into the second period off a goal by Mitch Nylen. Three minutes later, Teichroeb lost the puck in the corner as Niagara started a power play and Evan Jasper capitalized on the turnover for the Pioneers. Sacred Heart then scored on its first power play of the night with Luczyk’s second goal of the night, taking a 4-0 lead into the second intermission. Niagara outshot Sacred Heart 13-12 in the second period, including six power-play shots.
The Pioneers cracked down on defense for the third period, looking to protect their lead. Niagara’s best chance came 9:36 into the period as Tanner Lomsnes used some nifty moves to create a breakaway chance, but he was stoned by Magnus. After that play, Dan Kolenda was assessed a minor and game misconduct for charging on a hit as the play continued, while two minors were given to the Pioneers’ Josh Phillips. Three shots on the ensuing power-play were all denied.
With four minutes left, the Purple Eagles pulled Teichroeb and sustained offensive pressure with the extra attacker. They were unable to avoid the shutout, as Jordan Minello cashed in with the empty-net goal with 19 seconds remaining.
To conclude the weekend, Niagara and Sacred Heart will take to the ice once more to finish the two-game series. The two teams will faceoff at 7:05 p.m. at the Milford Ice Pavilion Sunday night. Jeremy White will have the radio call on 1340 AM WLVL and on www.PurpleEagles.com/Watch.
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