Freshman Travis Anderson |
OPENING FACEOFF
After sweeping the University of Vermont last weekend, the Niagara University men’s hockey team (2-3-0) faces Clarkson University (1-3-0) in the Golden Knights first home contest of the 2004-05 season.
The two teams meet at Cheel Arena Friday at 7:30 p.m., playing the second game of the two-game series Saturday at 7 p.m.
IN THE LAST GAME
Senior forward Ryan Gale’s goal at 1:51 of the third period propelled the Purple Eagles to a 3-2 victory over Vermont Oct. 23 at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
After allowing two early power-play goals to the Catamounts, Niagara tied the score with goals by Sean Bentivoglio and Pat Oliveto in the first period.
Junior goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten made 34 saves for his second consecutive win.
COLLEGE HOCKEY AMERICA
Five of the six teams from the College Hockey America conference are in action this weekend.
Besides Niagara visiting Clarkson, Air Force visits Holy Cross and Alabama-Huntsville visits both Yale and Princeton in non-conference games. Robert Morris hosts Bentley and Wayne State hosts Canisius to round-out the conference schedule.
ROAD TRIP
Niagara continues its treacherous eight-game road trip with this weekend’s series against the Golden Knights.
Already playing road series against Maine and Vermont, the Purple Eagles travel to Western Michigan following this weekend’s series with Clarkson.
SCOUTING CLARKSON
Clarkson defeated College Hockey America conference member Wayne State, 5-3, in its last game. The Golden Knights enter this weekend’s series having lost road games to Providence, Massachusetts and Wayne State.
Seniors Jay Latulippe and Mac Faulkner lead the Golden Knights in scoring after four games, both with six points (4-2-6). Faulkner led Clarkson in scoring last season, tallying 43 points on 17 goals and 26 assists.
Junior Dustin Traylen returns as the Golden Knights’ No. 1 goaltender. Playing in three games this season, Traylen has a 4.12 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.
LAST MEETING VS. CLARKSON
The two teams played to a, 2-2, tie Dec. 11, 1998 at Cheel Arena. The only previous contest between the two teams was a 5-1 Clarkson win, Dec. 28, 1997, at the Syracuse Invitational.
AGAINST THE ECAC
In the nine-year history of the Niagara men’s hockey program, the Purple Eagles are 15-17-5 against teams currently in the ECAC.
This season, Niagara is 2-0-0 against ECAC teams, sweeping Vermont Oct. 22-23.
In last season’s three games against the conference, Niagara went 1-1-1, defeating Yale Dec. 28, 2003 at the Wells Fargo Denver Cup, in Denver, Colo. The Purple Eagles also played to a 2-2 tie with Colgate Jan. 3, 2004 at Dwyer Arena.
BURKHOLDER VS. ECAC
Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder holds a 5-4-1 career record against teams currently in the ECAC.
Friday’s contest will be the first game against Clarkson in Burkholder’s four-year coaching career at Niagara.
EHGOETZ SECOND
With his four-point performance against Vermont Oct. 22, senior captain Barret Ehgoetz moved into second place in College Hockey America history with 126 points in his collegiate career.
Ehgoetz trails all-time CHA points leader Andy Berg of Air Force by 16 points (142).
RACING TO BE NO. 1
Senior captain Barret Ehgoetz continues to move up the Niagara record books with 126 points in his collegiate career.
Ehgoetz, now fifth in Purple Eagles’ history, is 19 points from all-time Niagara points leader Mike Isherwood (145)
VAN NYNATTEN RISING
Not allowing a goal in the third period of either game last weekend, junior goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten stopped 34 of 37 shots against Vermont Oct. 22-23.
The reigning CHA Tournament MVP lowered his season goals-against average to 3.01, credited with a 2-3-0 record.
GALE CLUTCH
Scoring three goals in the past two games, senior Ryan Gale is beginning to emerge in his final season at Niagara.
A three-year contributor, Gale scored the game-winning goal against Vermont Oct. 23.
BLUELINERS
Defensemen Andrew Lackner and Pat Oliveto accounted for three of Niagara’s nine goals last weekend.
The defensive combination led the Purple Eagles in defenseman scoring last season. Oliveto and Lackner sit tied for second on the team in points, both with five.
BENTIVOGLIO FIRST
Sophomore forward Sean Bentivoglio scored his first goal of the season in the 3-2 win over Vermont Oct. 23.
Bentivoglio, who led all Niagara rookies in scoring in the 2003-04 season, has three points this season on a goal and two assists.
STREAKING
Sophomore Aaron Clarke continues his point streak dating back to the Oct. 15 game against the University of Maine.
Clarke has points in Niagara’s last four games, tied for third on the team with four points (2-2-4).
Senior captain Barret Ehgoetz continues his consecutive games played streak with last weekend’s two games against Maine. Dating back to Feb. 23, 2002, Ehgoetz has played in 82 consecutive games.
BURKHOLDER SHOW HITS AIR
The "Dave Burkholder Show", with head coach Dave Burkholder, debuted Tuesday, Oct. 12 on both the Empire Sports Television network and Hometown 1340 WLVL-AM.
Part of the "Simon Cast", with host Howard Simon, the weekly show, sponsored by Le Metro Bakery and Cafe, can be seen and heard live at 5:45 p.m.
OH CANADA
The Niagara roster boasts 17 Canadians, one of the largest contingency of Canadian players in collegiate hockey.
The 17 players span as far west as British Columbia and as far east as Quebec.
RETURNERS
Niagara returns 17 players who experienced the NCAA Tournament last season, including forwards Sean Bentivoglio, Aaron Clarke, Justin Cross, Barret Ehgoetz, Ryan Gale, Chad Murray, Marc Norrington, Mario Nucci, and Jason Williamson, defensemen Shayne Baylis, Ryan Carrigan, Brian Hartman, Jason Jones, Andrew Lackner, and Pat Oliveto, with goaltenders Allen Barton and Jeff Van Nynattten.
The team returns 70 of its 124 total goals (56.5 percent) and 185 of its 321 points (57.6 percent) from a year ago.
Ehgoetz is the Purple Eagles’ leading returning scorer, leading Niagara -- as well as the CHA conference -- with a career-high 52 points (25 goals, 27 assists). Lackner is the leading returner among blueliners, posting 15 points on two goals and 13 assists. Van Nynatten returns as Niagara’s No. 1 goaltender, posting 18 wins last season and a 2.81 goals-against average.
NEWCOMERS
The Purple Eagles welcome 12 new players to the roster this season, one of the largest incoming classes in program history.
Joining the squad are forwards Matt Caruana, Cliff Ketchen, Tim Madsen, Mike Maier, Tayler Simpson, C.J. Tozzo and Kris Wiebe, defensemen Travis Anderson, Scott Langdon, Trevor Mallon and Mike Novosad, along with goaltender Scott Mollison.
Wiebe, a senior, is a transfer from the University of Findlay, earning all-conference honors with the Oilers last season.
ONE LAST TIME
Niagara boasts a roster of five seniors entering their final season of play in a Niagara uniform.
Seniors Shayne Baylis, Ryan Carrigan, Barret Ehgoetz, Ryan Gale and Kris Wiebe play their final seasons for the Purple Eagles.
CAPTAINS NAMED
Joining three-year captain Barret Ehgoetz are juniors Andrew Lackner and Jason Williamson.
Voted assistant captains by their teammates, both Lackner and Williamson have been solid contributors on-and-off the ice throughout the previous two seasons.
Ehgoetz has been the consummate leader for Niagara the past three seasons, voted assistant captain in his sophomore year.
A LOOK BACK
Niagara finished the 2003-04 season with a 21-15-3 overall record, finishing second in the College Hockey America conference with a record of 14-6-0. The Purple Eagles won the CHA Conference Tournament, defeating Wayne State and Bemidji State to win their second conference tournament crown.
Playing eventual Frozen Four-participant Boston College in the NCAA Tournament, Niagara fell to the Eagles, 5-2. Departed senior Joe Tallari and sophomore forward Sean Bentivoglio had goals for the Purple Eagles in the loss.
NATIONAL HONOR
Niagara senior forward Barret Ehgoetz earned honorable mention honors on the 2004 Preseason All-U.S. College Hockey Online team, representing the only player from the CHA to garner national preseason honors.
Ehgoetz enters his senior season with the second-most points of any returner to Division I men’s hockey.
PRESEASON ALL-CHA
Returning as the reigning CHA Co-Player of the Year, senior captain BarretEhgoetz was named preseason All-CHA.
Ehgoetz was joined on the preseason team with juniors Andrew Lackner and Jeff Van Nynatten.
All three earned postseason conference honors last season, headlined by Ehgoetz being named CHA Co-Player of the Year and Van Nynatten earning CHA Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
Both Ehgoetz and Van Nynatten were unanimous All-CHA selections.
UP NEXT
Niagara travels to Western Michigan University for two non-conference games against the Broncos at Lawson Arena Oct. 29 and 30.
Last season against Western Michigan, Niagara split the two-game series, defeating the Broncos, 3-2, Nov. 15, 2003 at Dwyer Arena.
