NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Ending a three-game losing streak, the Niagara University men’s hockey team (4-6-0) defeated Quinnipiac University (3-3-0), 3-1, Friday at Dwyer Arena. Purple Eagles freshman goaltender Scott Mollison (Winnipeg, Man.) was victorious in his first collegiate start.
Playing in its first home game since the Oct. 9 season-opener against UMass-Lowell, Niagara benefitted from two first period goals, enough to help Mollison pick up the landmark victory. Mollison, who made 21 saves, became the first freshman goaltender to win his first collegiate start in the nine-year history of the Niagara program.
"He played like a veteran," Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said of his freshman goaltender. "We put him in a tough spot, as we’re on a three-game losing streak. Back home, in front of a good crowd, and he played like a veteran. He made everything look easy and I was very comfortable with his play and I believe he deserves another look."
Scoring two goals in 42 seconds, Niagara jumped out to an early lead following goals by junior forward Marc Norrington (Grand Blanc, Mich.) and senior captain Barret Ehgoetz (Kincardine, Ont.).
With the puck between the circles, Norrington slid a shot to the stick side of Quinnipiac senior Jamie Holden, which beat the goaltender low at the 7:10 mark of the first period.
Just 42 seconds later, Ehgoetz struck, scoring his fifth goal of the season on a one-on-one opportunity. After senior Ryan Gale (St. Catharines, Ont.) delivered the puck to Ehgoetz on the right boards, the senior captain accelerated past two Bobcat defensemen, before moving through the crease and squeezing a forehand between the post and Holden’s right pad at 7:52 of the opening period.
Niagara held the two-goal lead through the second period, playing tough perimeter defense in front of Mollison and blocking numerous Bobcat shots.
Already playing two periods of shutout hockey, Mollison surrendered his first collegiate goal at 14:46 of the final period, as Quinnipiac leading-scorer Matt Craig cut the Bobcat deficit to just one goal with a little more than five minutes remaining in regulation. On the power play, Craig was left open near the right faceoff circle, hitting a shot just out of the reach of a sprawling Mollison.
With the score, 2-1, in favor of the Purple Eagles, junior forward Justin Cross (Camarillo, Calif.) scored an insurance goal at the 17:14 mark of the final period, giving Niagara a two-goal lead with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. Uncontested and allowed to attack in the Bobcat defensive zone, Cross hit a hard shot from just beyond the left circle, which beat Holden low to the stick side. The goal was Cross’ third of the season, assisted by senior Kris Wiebe (Lloydminster, Alb.) and freshman Travis Anderson (Coon Rapids, Minn.).
Composed all evening in goal for the Purple Eagles, Mollison’s first collegiate victory was highlighted by his stop on a Michael Bordieri penalty shot at 7:50 of the second period. After Niagara senior Shayne Baylis (St. Catharines, Ont.) took down Bordieri from behind, causing the penalty shot opportunity, Mollison forced the Quinnipiac forward to go wide right on his attempt, denying any shot to be taken.
"The defense blocked about eight shots and really sacrificed their body," Mollison said. "They allowed me to see the puck all game."
Niagara outshot Quinnipiac, 36-22, in the victory, including a 16-8 margin in the third period.
Holden made 33 saves for the Bobcats in the loss.
The two teams conclude the non-conference series Saturday at Dwyer Arena at 7:05 p.m.
