SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In the first of four games between the Niagara hockey team and the American International Yellow Jackets, neither team could find the back of the net in 65 minutes of play, ending in a 0-0 tie Friday afternoon at MassMutual Center. Jackson Teichroeb made 26 saves in goal for his second consecutive shutout, the first Niagara goaltender to get back-to-back shutouts in four years.
Game Summary
* Final Score: Niagara 0, American International 0
* Niagara Goal Scorers: n/a
* Niagara Assists: n/a
* In Goal: Jackson Teichroeb (1-3-2) – 0 GA, 26 SV, SO
* Power Plays: Niagara – 0-for-3 (5 SH); American International – 0-for-3 (1 SH)
* Records: Niagara – 2-8-3 (2-3-2 AHC); American International – 2-5-6 (2-4-5 AHC)
* Location: MassMutual Center – Springfield, Mass.
* Attendance: 382
Game Recap
* The Purple Eagles and Yellow Jackets jockeyed back and forth early in Friday’s contest, but neither team found the back of the net in the first period.
* Jackson Teichroeb made 10 saves in the opening stanza to get the Purple Eagles started. He was only forced to make one save on a pair of AIC power plays through 20 minutes of play.
* Niagara had a great chance to get on the board early in the second period. In the AIC zone, Sam Rennaker tied up his opponent off a faceoff and Joey Molinaro came in to rip the shot on goal, but it was gloved down by the Yellow Jackets’ Alex Murray.
* TJ Sarcona found a chance to put Niagara ahead with eight minutes to play, as Johnny Curran’s pass from the right boards was directed just wide by Sarcona.
* Niagara closed the second period with a two-minute power play and sustained pressure in the AIC zone for the full power play. The Purple Eagles got three shots on goal, but none got past Murray.
* The majority of possession was controlled by Niagara in the third period. The Purple Eagles outshot AIC 8-6 in the final regulation period, but both teams had plenty of chances to get on the scoreboard. Niagara had a pair of consecutive 2-on-1 chances midway through the period, as TJ Sarcona and Nick Farmer had their shots turned away by Alex Murray.
* With two minutes to play, a point shot from the Yellow Jackets found its way through multiple bodies in front and past Teichroeb, but it was knocked away by an AIC player looking for the tip right in front of the goal.
* Niagara outshot AIC 4-3 in the overtime period, but no goals were scored as the game ended in a tie.
Coach’s Corner
* Head coach David Burkholder: “This was another really clutch effort by Teichroeb in goal. We were hoping to get him one and get him the win. Our defensive corps was solid in a very tight-checking affair.”
Inside the Numbers
* Jackson Teichroeb carries an active shutout streak of 140:21 after Friday’s tie at AIC, dating back to the third period of a Niagara loss Oct. 29 against the Ohio State Buckeyes. He made 37 saves in a 4-0 shutout over Sacred Heart last Saturday, Nov. 19.
* Teichroeb is the first Niagara goaltender to post back-to-back shutouts in four seasons. Carsen Chubak registered consecutive shutouts versus Connecticut and at Army on Nov. 3 and 9, 2012.
* This was the third scoreless tie in Niagara program history; Niagara also played 0-0 games on Oct. 8, 2011 at RIT and Feb. 28, 2009 at Robert Morris.
* Kris Spriggs played in his first game since Nov. 4, tallying a team-high four shots on goal. Derek Brown, Johnny Curran, Nick Farmer, and Tanner Lomsnes each had three shots on goal.
* TJ Sarcona posted a season-high five blocked shots, tying for the most by a Purple Eagle in one game this season. Niagara led 19-3 in blocked shots in Friday’s tie.
Up Next
* Niagara and AIC complete this weekend’s two-game series Saturday afternoon at 5:05 p.m. Jeremy White has the play-by-play on 1340 AM WLVL and the game will be live streamed on AtlanticHockey.tv.
Defend Dwyer Arena
* Niagara returns to Dwyer Arena for a pair of games against the RIT Tigers in two weeks. The games on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 are slated for a 7:05 p.m. faceoff. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster<http://www.ticketmaster.com/Niagara-University-Purple-Eagles-Mens-Hockey-tickets/artist/821833?tm_link=seo_bc_name>, by phone at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), or in person at the Dwyer Arena box office.
