PLYMOUTH, MI. – The Purple Eagles ended their weekend in Michigan with a thrilling, high-paced exhibition battle against the USA National Development Team. Niagara sent the game to overtime in the final two minutes, but Team USA’s Clayton Keller tallied in overtime, as Niagara lost 3-2 from USA Hockey Arena Saturday night.
Luke Edwards potted both goals for Niagara and created chances with his speed all throughout the exhibition. Derian Plouffe, Sean King, Stanislav Dzakhov, and Matt Dineen all added assists.
Joe O’Brien and Guillaume Therien split duties in net. O’Brien made 11 saves on 12 shots in 30:04 to open the game, while Therien finished out the night stopping 21 of 23 shots.
Niagara peppered the national under-18 team with shots in the early going, but their attack slowed as the team got into some penalty trouble. The Purple Eagles were able to kill off the first USA power play, but Kieffer Bellows connected with a heavy slap shot that beat O’Brien short-side, giving USA a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.
The Purple Eagles continued to chip away looking for scoring chances in the second period. Edwards created a number of opportunities for himself, and he got on the board with his first of the night at the 11:13 mark. Plouffe floated a shot towards the net, and with the puck in mid-air Edwards poked it over the blocker of USA goaltender Joseph Woll. USA reclaimed the lead in the closing seconds of the period, however, as Trent Frederic buried a long pass on the rush past Therien for the 2-1 advantage.
It took until the 18:36 mark of the third period, but Niagara managed to find the tying goal late. Dzakhov beat a USA defender at Niagara’s blue line to create a two-on-one chance with Edwards. Dzakhov’s shot was stopped by Woll, but the rebound sat right behind the goaltender and Edwards poked the puck across the line for the equalizer.
Both teams had chances in the overtime period, but it was Keller who broke free for USA and buried a backhand over the glove of Therien for the win. Niagara fell to 1-1-0 in exhibition games this season, having defeated Wilfrid Laurier University 5-3 in an exhibition match back on Oct. 3.
The Purple Eagles now turn their attention to Atlantic Hockey competition, as their non-conference schedule ended this weekend. Niagara is the only team to play less than four games against Atlantic Hockey foes thus far in 2015-16.
The AIC Yellow Jackets come to Dwyer Arena for a two-game series with the Purple Eagles next weekend. AIC and Niagara will face off Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21, with both games starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available 9-5 Monday through Friday at the Dwyer Arena ticket office or by phone at (716) 286-TIXX (8499).
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and follow Purple Eagles hockey on Twitter @NiagaraUHockey. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.
