NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Despite a strong first period against the Air Force Falcons, the Purple Eagles hockey team fell into a deficit they could not overcome. A four-goal second period from Air Force led to a 6-1 Niagara loss Friday night at Dwyer Arena.
Sam Rennaker scored the lone Niagara goal, his sixth of the season, with assists from Matt Chiarantano and Niko Kovachis. Guillaume Therien surrendered four goals on 15 shots before being pulled 9:38 into the second period. Jackson Teichroeb made 11 saves on 13 shots the rest of the way.
The Purple Eagles (5-22-6, 5-17-5 Atlantic Hockey) held their own against the Falcons in the first period despite having to kill three penalties. Air Force outshot Niagara 7-4 in the opening period, with Niagara holding the Falcons to just three shots on their three power plays. Therien made seven saves to keep the game scoreless, continuing his strong play from appearances in both games against RIT last weekend.
It only took 31 seconds for the Falcons (17-11-5, 15-7-5 Atlantic Hockey) to begin the scoring in the second period, as Tyler Ledford found Erik Baskin for his first of two goals on the night. Ben Carey scored a power-play goal on Air Force’s fifth opportunity of the night to double the lead. Air Force then scored two goals from Ben Kucera in a span of 14 seconds to make it 4-0, prompting the change in net from Therien to Teichroeb.
Niagara came out firing on all cylinders to start the third period, and they got on the board at the 3:47 mark. Kovachis and Chiarantano worked the puck along the blue line, and the senior defenseman found Rennaker with some space in the slot. The freshman slapped a shot over the glove of Air Force goaltender Shane Starrett for Niagara’s lone goal of the night.
Air Force reestablished its four goal lead at the 13:13 mark as Evan Okeley teed up a one-time shot that beat Teichroeb. Baskin converted for his second goal of the night with 14 seconds to play in order for the Falcons to get the 6-1 win.
The Purple Eagles and Falcons return to game action tomorrow night in Dwyer Arena at 7:05 p.m. Before the game, Niagara will celebrate the careers of its five graduating players for Senior Night: forward Dan Kolenda, defensemen Nick Cecere, Matt Chiarantano, and Matt Dineen, and goaltender Chris Paulin. Brian Koziol will have the call on 1340 AM WLVL, and the game will be broadcast on LCTV.
