BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Niagara Purple Eagles hockey team is off to its best start in 10 seasons following a commanding 6-2 victory at Sacred Heart Saturday afternoon at Webster Bank Arena. After falling behind 1:09 into the second period, the Purple Eagles tied the game two minutes later before scoring three times in a span of 3:45 from the end of the second period through the start of the third to break open a lead that would not be overcome.
Five players scored multiple points, led by two goals and one assist from Tanner Lomsnes. Eric Cooley and Derian Plouffe had one goal and one assist each, while Chris Harpur and Sean King each added two helpers. Brian Wilson made 24 saves in goal for his second win in as many nights, helping the Purple Eagles (4-2-0, 3-0-0 AHC) to their first weekend sweep of a road series since February 2016.
Game Summary
· Final Score: Niagara 6, Sacred Heart 2
· Niagara Goal Scorers: Derek Brown, Eric Cooley, Nick Farmer, Tanner Lomsnes (2), Derian Plouffe
· Niagara Assists: Eric Cooley, Noah Delmas, Stanislav Dzakhov, Chris Harpur (2), Sean King (2), Niko Kovachis, Tanner Lomsnes, Derian Plouffe
· In Goal: Brian Wilson (2-1-0) – 2 GA, 24 SV
· Power Plays: Niagara – 0-for-4 (4 SOG); Sacred Heart – 0-for-4 (5 SOG)
· Records: Niagara – 4-2-0 (3-0-0 AHC); Sacred Heart – 2-5-0 (0-2-0 AHC)
· Location: Webster Bank Arena – Bridgeport, Conn.
· Attendance: 174
Game Recap
· Continuing their offensive zone control from the previous night, Niagara opened the game with a 14-3 first-period advantage in shots on goal. Tanner Lomsnes had the best chance of the period in the first minute, finding a soft spot in the low slot with a one-timer stopped by Pioneers goaltender Nathan Perry.
· Niagara was held off the board on its first power-play of the game in the opening period. Johnny Curran had the best chance of the advantage, sending a one-timer past Perry but off the crossbar.
· Sacred Heart opened the goal scoring just over one minute into the second period as a long point shot from Michael Gilroy squeaked past Niagara’s Brian Wilson.
· Just over two minutes later, Sean King and Tanner Lomsnes worked a puck out from behind the net to Nick Farmer, who roofed a one-timer over the glove of Perry to tie the game.
· Wilson came up with a sprawling denial of Sacred Heart’s Zach De Concilys late in the second period; on the ensuing Niagara possession, Noah Delmas’ wide shot from the point was collected by Eric Cooley. Cooley got the puck to the front of the net where Derek Brown stuffed home his first goal of the season.
· Niagara scored twice in the first 2:20 of the third period to break open a 4-1 lead, starting with a shorthanded effort by Cooley. The rookie took a breakout pass from Derian Plouffe, raced up the right wing, and ripped a shot far-side past Perry.
· Less than a minute later, Chris Harpur hopped over a fallen Sacred Heart defender to jump start a three-on-one rush, finding Tanner Lomsnes for his first goal of the game.
· Lomsnes scored his second of the day on a two-on-one with 8:31 to play, breaking up the left wing and launching a big wrist shot over the glove of Perry to make it 5-1.
· Sacred Heart’s Zach Tsekos brought the Pioneers back within three. A late five-on-three gave Sacred Heart a chance to narrow the lead further. The Pioneers pulled the goalie to make it a six-on-four advantage but Plouffe lofted a shot down the center of the ice and into the vacated goal, capping off a big 6-2 win for the Purple Eagles.
Coach’s Corner
· Head coach Jason Lammers: “I thought the guys really worked hard and earned every goal that they manufactured. It was really excited to see how our team is maturing and responding after going down a goal again. It’s a really great growth point and the goals will keep coming if they keep doing what they’re doing. We knew they were going to come at us this weekend after picking up a win at Notre Dame [last weekend].”
Inside the Numbers
· At 4-2-0, the Purple Eagles are off to their best start since the 2007-08 team opened the season with a 5-1 record. That team went on to win the CHA Tournament and earn an NCAA tournament berth.
· The last time Niagara won its first three games in conference play was 2012-13.
· Niagara scored six goals in one game for the first time since Dec. 4, 2015, a 6-4 home win over Bentley.
· The Purple Eagles also picked up their first sweep of a road series since earning 2-0 and 4-3 wins at AIC on Feb. 5 and 6, 2016.
· Noah Delmas and Derian Plouffe extended their season-opening point streaks to six games in the win. Plouffe now leads the team with eight points (4+4) while Delmas is second with seven points (1+6) including one assist in all six games.
· Brian Wilson picked up his second win of the weekend. He closed the two-game series with 37 saves on 38 shots faced, including 24 on Saturday.
· Niagara was held without a power-play goal for the first time all season, but scored two goals shorthanded in the third period to give them three shorthanded goals this season.
Up Next
· The Purple Eagles start up a four-game home stand at Dwyer Arena next weekend, welcoming the Bentley Falcons for a pair of games on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4. Both games are slated for 7:05 p.m. starts.
