NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles pocketed their highest ranking in the program’s 17-year history on Monday, pulling down a No. 16 ranking in the USCHO.com Division I Poll.
This is the team’s best position since the 2007-08 season when the Purps earned the 17th spot for two consecutive weeks (Nov. 19 & Nov. 26). Niagara has been ranked for the prior three weeks, cracking into the poll at the 20th position on Nov. 19 before holding the 18th spot for the last two weeks.
The Purps have gone eight consecutive games without a loss on the scoresheet, and are currently riding a nation-best 11-game unbeaten streak, going 9-0-2 in that span. The team is a perfect 9-0-0 in Atlantic Hockey Conference action, outscoring their opposition 34-8 to top the nation for the fewest goals allowed during conference play this season.
Niagara has several Purple Eagles who have cracked into the top-10 in several statistical categories. Giancarlo Iuorio is one of the top offensive threats in the nation, ranked first in goals per game (0.80), and 10th in points per game (1.33). Mike Benedict has scored a career-high six goals so far this season, including three game-winning tallies which rank him eighth in the nation.
Goaltender Carsen Chubak holds the top spot in the nation in save percentage (.962), goals-against average (1.21) and shutouts (5), while his .821 winning percentage places him third nationally.
Along with the team’s present unbeaten streak, the Purps are ranked in the top-10 in five statistical categories including third in team winning percentage (.767), fourth in combined special teams (57.4), seventh in penalty killing (90.5) and ninth in scoring defense (2.00).
The NCAA Tournament Pairwise Comparison Ratings has NU tied at No. 15 with Harvard and Colgate, while D1Hockey.com lists the Purple Eagles at the No. 14 spot in the country.
Fresh off a weekend sweep of the Sacred Heart Pioneers, the Purps will enter their final home game of the 2012 portion of the schedule with a battle against the RIT Tigers on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7:05 p.m.
A reminder for those attending, Niagara will be hosting its Teddy Bear Toss during Wednesday’s game, benefiting the Carly’s Club for Kids & Cancer Research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Fans that bring a new, stuffed animal to the game will receive a discounted ticket, and will be able to toss them onto the ice following the Purple Eagles’ first goal of the game. There will also be teddy bears for purchase provided by the Beverly Hill Teddy Bear Company.
For ticket information, please call the Niagara Tickets Office (located inside Dwyer Arena) at 716-286-TIXX, visitwww.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets or by emailing [email protected].
