Live Video & Audio | Live Stats | Game Notes

The Niagara Purple Eagles hockey team had last weekend off after taking on Holy Cross at Dwyer Arena during opening weekend. Niagara kicks off a series of three road games in five nights on Tuesday evening, as the Purple Eagles open up against the Mercyhurst Lakers. Tuesday's game is the first of four this season between Niagara and Mercyhurst, with each team hosting two games in the season series.

Fans can tune in to 1340 AM WLVL to listen to Tuesday night's game as Jeremy White has the call live from the Mercyhurst Ice Center in Erie, Pa. A live stream will also be available through AtlanticHockey.tv.

Last Time Out

• Niagara dropped its season opener at home to Holy Cross on Oct. 7 by a score of 8-2, but broke out offensively in a 4-4 tie the following night.
• Larry Smith, Stephen Pietrobon, Nick Farmer, Sean King, Johnny Curran, and Kris Spriggs all picked up goals on opening weekend. Spriggs added two assists, and his fellow freshman, Noah Delmas, racked up three assists. The two are currently tied for the team scoring lead at three points apiece.
• Joe O'Brien relieved Jackson Teichroeb to start the second period on Oct. 8. With the Purple Eagles trailing 3-2, O'Brien stopped 19 of 20 shots to help Niagara earn a point in Saturday's contest.
• In a two-game series that included 41 penalties called, Niagara went 2-for-14 on the power play (14.3 percent) and 15-for-20 on the penalty kill (75.0 percent).

Strong Debut For Spriggs

• Kris Spriggs earned the first weekly award for a Purple Eagle this season, as he was named Travel Team USA Rookie of the Week on Oct. 11 by Atlantic Hockey.
• In the opening weekend, Spriggs tied with Niagara's Noah Delmas for the conference rookie scoring lead. He led all freshmen with 10 shots on goal in the weekend and added a plus-2 rating.
• Delmas and Spriggs still share the rookie scoring lead entering Tuesday's game at Mercyhurst.

The Power of Niagara

• The Purple Eagles scored power-play goals in both games against Holy Cross to open the season, going 1-for-8 on Oct. 7 and 1-for-6 on Oct. 8.
• It was the first time Niagara tallied man-advantage goals in consecutive games since scoring in three straight games from Jan. 9 to 16, 2016.
• Sophomore Sean King scored his fourth career power-play goal Saturday, tying Derian Plouffe and TJ Sarcona for the team lead.

Scouting the Lakers (0-1-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic Hockey)

• Niagara played four games against Mercyhurst in the 2015-16 season. The Lakers took back-to-back 3-2 wins on Jan. 8 and 9, and then both games of a home-and-home weekend on Feb. 12 and 13 ended in a 2-2 tie.
• Mercyhurst opened its 2016-17 schedule on Friday, Oct. 14 against Penn State in the Snowtown Throwdown at Erie Insurance Arena. The Nittany Lions handed the Lakers a 7-0 defeat.
• Junior goaltender Brandon Wildung made 36 saves in the loss, and freshman defenseman Joseph Duszak led the team with four shots on goal.
• Mercyhurst returns eight of its top 10 scorers from a season ago, led by 2015-16 Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year defenseman Lester Lancaster, as well as forwards Derek Barach and Jack Riley.
• Tuesday's game is the Lakers' home opener at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

Defend Dwyer Arena

• The Purple Eagles' next two home games take place on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29 against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State is currently ranked 19th in the NCAA by USCHO.
• Tickets are available on Ticketmaster, by phone at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), or in person at the Dwyer Arena box office.

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for hockey updates, follow @NiagaraUHockey. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.