WINTHROP, Mass. – Following Niagara’s sweep of Mercyhurst this past weekend, three Purple Eagles have been recognized by Atlantic Hockey for their exceptional performances last weekend. Chris Harpur, Ben Sokay, and Chad Veltri each earned their first AHA weekly awards of the season.
Harpur – named the Defensive Player of the Week – was a two-way threat for the Purple Eagles this weekend. On Friday, Harpur registered two blocked shots in a 3-0 home win. The next night, Harpur blocked three shots, and added two goals (one shorthanded, 3-on-6) in a 4-2 road victory. On the weekend, Harpur was plus-3 with six shots on goal, and earned the first multi-goal game of his career.
Sokay – the conference’s Player of the Week – posted four points (2 G, 2 A) on the weekend. Friday saw Sokay net his seventh goal of the year midway through the third period to pad Niagara’s lead in an eventual 3-0 win. The next night, the senior scored a nifty goal early in the second to put the Purple Eagles up by two en route to a 4-2 road win. This weekend marked the first time Sokay has ever posted back-to-back multi-point games.
Veltri continued his impressive run as of late to be named AHA Goalie of the Week. On home ice, Veltri stopped all 16 shots faced to earn his first career shutout in a 3-0 win. On Saturday, the freshman made 34 saves in a 4-2 road win to give Niagara its fourth win of the season against the Lakers. It was Veltri’s second series sweep in three weeks.
