NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – For a second consecutive night, the Purple Eagles hockey team was able to generate a large number of shots but could not turn that into a winning goal total. Mercyhurst scored three goals on their first eight shots of the game, and that was enough to send Niagara to a 3-2 loss Saturday night at Dwyer Arena.
Joe O’Brien started the game in net for Niagara but was pulled 3:50 into the second period after the Purple Eagles (3-15-2, 3-10-1 Atlantic Hockey) fell behind 3-1. Jackson Teichroeb made 18 saves in relief as Derian Plouffe narrowed the deficit to one, but that was as close as it would get.
“We’re in a tough spot right now,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “We’re not scoring, we’re squeezing the sticks, but we’ve got to keep telling these guys that [86] shot attempts and 43 shots on goal is enough to win a game. That’s a factor, no question.”
Sean King opened the scoring with a power-play tally 6:01 into the game. It was his first goal as a Purple Eagle, and six freshmen have now scored goals this season for Niagara. Derian Plouffe also tallied for Niagara, while Stanislav Dzakhov assisted on both goals and energized the team all game long.
On Niagara’s first power play of the game, Dzakhov wound up for a one-time shot, but did not get all of the puck. However, the errant shot found its way to the stick of King, who dropped a shot into a wide open net as Mercyhurst’s Adam Carlson was out of position. Tommaso Bucci and Anthony Mastrodicasa scored for the Lakers (10-10-0, 8-6-0 Atlantic Hockey) before the first period ended, seizing a 2-1 advantage 20 minutes into the game.
After Wes Baker trickled Mercyhurst’s third goal past O’Brien, Teichroeb headed between the pipes and pitched a shutout effort in just under 35 minutes in net. Niagara closed the deficit to one with four minutes to play in the second period. Just after killing a penalty, Dzakhov stymied a Mercyhurst breakout, forcing a turnover and getting the puck to Plouffe, who narrowly beat Carlson to the short side.
While Niagara earned 12 shots in the third period, it was tough to find quality scoring chances as Mercyhurst laid back on defense to preserve the lead. Dan Kolenda had a wide-open look on a rebound in front of the net late in the period, but his backhand shot went over the crossbar.
Next week is a pivotal one for the Purple Eagles as they look ahead to their two annual Battle of the Bridge games against the Canisius Golden Griffins. With both games set to be played at HARBORCENTER in downtown Buffalo, the series opens Thursday, Jan. 14 at 7:35 p.m. and concludes with a 3:05 p.m. afternoon game on Saturday, Jan. 16.
Both games at Canisius will be broadcast on 1340 AM WLVL and PurpleEagles.com/Watch. Additionally, Time Warner Cable subscribers will be able to watch on Channels 52 (standard definition) and 323 (high definition).
