BUFFALO, N.Y. – A Joe Tallari (Thunder Bay, Ont.) hat trick led the Niagara men’s hockey team (13-10-2) to a 6-3 win over crosstown-rival Canisius (5-8-6) Thursday at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. In the contest, both Tallari and junior Barret Ehgoetz (Kincardine, Ont.) broke conference and school records, each tallying four points in the victory.
On the evening in which he became Niagara’s all-time leader in games played with 130, Tallari’s three goals led an inspired effort by the Purple Eagles, who are undefeated in their last three non-conference games. The senior forward, who was part of a three-goal second period that helped the visiting Purple Eagles pull away from the Golden Griffins, moved into fifth place in career points (114) at Niagara following his four-point game.
"Our line played well, everything clicked, the whole team played very well and I’m happy I got three goals tonight," Tallari, who has eight points in the last two games, said.
The senior later remarked on passing Jay Kasperek for fifth place in career points, saying that his main focus is getting Niagara to the NCAA Tournament.
Scoring was started for the Purple Eagles by sophomore Mario Nucci (Rochester, N.Y.), who tallied his second goal in only his third game for Niagara. Taking a pass from teammate Luke Parillo (Schenectady, N.Y.), Nucci was left open near the Canisius goal crease and was able to jab the puck past Griffs’ goaltender Bryan Worosz. For Nucci, the recent two-game goal streak is credited to his team’s philosophy and linemates.
"Basically, I’m just following the team system, go hard to the net and pick up loose pucks," Nucci said. "My linemates helped me out, both of the games, and helped me create scoring chances."
Following Nucci’s tally, fellow sophomore Justin Cross (Camarillo, Calif.) put the Niagara up 2-0, redirecting a pass from Tallari that dribbled between the legs of Worosz and over the goalline.
Much to the disdain of the visiting Purple Eagle fans that made the trip to Buffalo State, just over three minutes following Cross’ goal, the Golden Griffins netted their first goal of the contest, cutting the Niagara lead in half. Forward Michael Cohen’s slapshot from the point was able to slip by Purple Eagles goaltender Jeff VanNynatten (Stratford, Ont.), driving into the lower-left corner of the Niagara net.
Tallari, at 19:11 of the second period, would increase the Purple Eagles’ lead back to two, scoring his first of three goals in the contest. Cutting towards the Canisius net, the senior forward would take a pass from Ehgoetz and one-timed the puck past Worosz, capitalizing on the Niagara power-play. This assist by Ehgoetz would be one of four in the contest. The junior -- who has 105 points and 57 assists in his Niagara career -- would move into fifth place in College Hockey America conference history in points, as well as tie for eighth place in career assists in the CHA (overall games) with his four-point game.
In the third period, a Marc Norrington (Grand Blanc, Mich.) goal -- his second-straight game with a tally -- along with Tallari’s second of the contest, would give the Purple Eagles a commanding 5-1 lead midway into the final period.
Canisius would forge a late comeback with goals by Golden Griffins forwards Andrew Dawe and Billy Irish-Baker, cutting Niagara’s lead to two goals with a little more than five minutes remaining in regulation.
With Worosz pulled from the Canisius net, Ehgoetz would steal the puck in the Niagara defensive zone, drive alone down the left wing toward the open Griffs’ net and -- in a display of true unselfishness -- pass to an open Tallari, allowing the senior to complete his hat trick and putting an exclamation point on the Purple Eagles three-goal win.
"I thought it was a real good team effort," Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said. "I thought as a group of six we played great. It's always nice to get the front end (of a two-game series). Now we go back home (Dwyer Arena) and hopefully get the sweep."
Niagara outshot the Golden Griffins 33-21 in the contest, including 12-3 in the first period. VanNynatten made 18 saves to pick up his 10th win of the season. The sophomore goaltender remains undefeated, with one no contest, in his last six starts. Worosz made 27 saves in the loss for Canisius.
True to form, Canisius -- the second-most penalized team nationally, averaging 22.8 penalty minutes per contest -- would be called for nine penalties for 18 minutes in the loss. Niagara would go two of seven on man-advantages, with the Griffs going one of five on power-play opportunities.
The Purple Eagles look to sweep their crosstown rivals in the second game of the two-game series Saturday at Dwyer Arena. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. Following Thursday’s win, Niagara has won four of the last five games with the Griffs. The hat trick by Tallari was the third of his collegiate career (the senior had two three-goal games in the 2002-03 season).
