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The Purple Eagles hockey team returns to Niagara University this weekend after a stretch last week that included three road games in five days. Niagara welcomes the nationally-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes to Dwyer Arena for a pair of games on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. Ohio State is ranked 15th in the nation by USCHO and 14th by USA Today.

Prior to Friday's game, a ceremonial puck drop will be held with Mr. Robert Dwyer, Niagara Class of 1965. Mr. Dwyer is the principal benefactor of the home of Purple Eagles hockey, Dwyer Arena. Dwyer was elected as a Niagara trustee in 1991, and he became just the second layperson to chair the Niagara Board of Trustees. He subsequently took on the role of national chair for "The Promise of Niagara" capital campaign, which raised more than $80 million for the university.

After Saturday's game, fans and students are invited to join the Purple Eagles for a 30-minute open skate on the Dwyer Arena main rink following the game. The night will also include the first Autograph Alley of the season, where fans will get the chance to interact with the Purple Eagles.
 
Both games can be live streamed through AtlanticHockey.tv. Paul Hamilton has the play-by-play call Friday night on 1340 AM WLVL, while Jeremy White takes over for Saturday's contest.
 
What to Watch For

• Niagara went 0-2-1 last week, earning a 3-3 tie at RPI on Oct. 21. The Purple Eagles also played at Mercyhurst (4-2 loss, Oct. 18) and Union (5-2 loss, Oct. 22).
• Niagara had a strong performance in the special teams department throughout last week, highlighted by a penalty kill that went 19-for-20 (95 percent). The Purple Eagles also scored three power-play goals on 23 opportunities.
• In the 3-3 tie at RPI, the Niagara power play went 2-for-9 against an RPI penalty kill that entered the game a perfect 17-for-17 on the season.
• Freshmen Tyler Hayes (Defensive Player of the Week) and Derek Brown (Rookie of the Week) earned accolades from Atlantic Hockey on Tuesday for their performances in the road trip.
• Ohio State puts its undefeated record on the line at Dwyer Arena. The Buckeyes earned two wins in a home-and-home series last weekend with Bowling Green.
• Ohio State's Nick Schilkey was named Big Ten Second Star of the Week on Tuesday.
• Starting the season on a five-game unbeaten streak, the Buckeyes are ranked 15th in the nation by USCHO and 14th by USA Today.

 
The Kids Are Alright

• Niagara has received standout performances at the offensive end from their underclassmen in the 2016-17 season.
• The Purple Eagles' freshmen and sophomores have accounted for 25 points, the most of any team in Atlantic Hockey and 17th nationally. The 25 points by the underclassmen count as 69.4 percent of Niagara's scoring offense through five games.
• Three Niagara freshmen have won Atlantic Hockey weekly awards in the first month of the season: Kris Spriggs (Rookie of the Week, Oct. 11), Tyler Hayes (Def. Player of the Week, Oct. 25), and Derek Brown (Rookie of the Week, Oct. 25).
• Spriggs leads Atlantic Hockey rookies in scoring with five points (2+3), tied for 16th among all NCAA freshman skaters.
• Hayes is fourth among all NCAA freshmen, first among Atlantic Hockey rookies, and first on Niagara with 13 blocked shots this season.

 
License to Kill

• A major contributor for the Purple Eagles last week was their penalty kill. Niagara went 19-for-20 on the penalty kill (95 percent) in road games at Mercyhurst, RPI, and Union.
• In last week's NCAA hockey action, six teams were perfect on the penalty kill, and Niagara ranked seventh behind them. Of those six teams with a perfect penalty kill last week, only one faced as many opposing power plays as Niagara's 20 (Boston University went 21-for-21 in two games).
• On the season, Niagara's penalty kill is converting at an 85-percent rate (34-for-40).

 
Scouting the Buckeyes (3-0-2, 0-0-0 Big Ten)

• The nationally-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes start a four-game swing against Atlantic Hockey teams at Dwyer Arena. Next weekend, the Buckeyes play a home-and-home series with Robert Morris.
• Niagara is 1-3-0 all-time against Ohio State, with the lone win by a 6-3 score at the Punch Imlach Showcase in Buffalo on Oct. 31, 1998.
• This is Ohio State's first appearance at Dwyer Arena.
• Ohio State began the 2016-17 season with an upset victory over No. 3 Denver in the Ice Breaker tournament, winning 3-2.
• Ohio State played Air Force in the championship game of the Ice Breaker tournament on Oct. 8. The game ended in a 3-3 tie, with Air Force winning the shootout for the title.
• The Buckeyes boast the top overall record in the Big Ten.
• Nick Schilkey (4+2), Ronnie Hein (2+4), and Tanner Laczynski (2+4) are tied for the team scoring lead at six points.
• Senior Matt Tomkins leads the Buckeyes in goal with a 2-0-2 record, a 1.71 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .936.

 
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.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.