KEARNEY, Neb. – A Nick Kormanyos goal midway into the third period led the Niagara University men’s hockey team (20-14-3) to a 2-1 win over Wayne State University (9-24-3) Saturday at Tri-City Arena in Kearney, Neb. The win advanced the Purple Eagles to the College Hockey America Championship Game against Bemidji State University Sunday at 8:05 p.m.
With the score tied 1-1 heading into the third period, Kormanyos (Massena, N.Y.), after carrying the puck behind the Warriors’ net, hit a wrap-around shot off a Wayne State defenseman and past Warriors goaltender Matt Kelly. The goal by Kormanyos was his third-game winning goal this season against Wayne State, ending the Warriors CHA Tournament win streak at eight games.
"It’s always nice to be able to contribute and chip in...and we’re in the finals for the first time (since I came to Niagara)," Kormanyos said.
The second-seeded Purple Eagles fell behind at the 9:35 mark of the opening period after Warriors forward Mark Cannon, following a Niagara turnover in its defensive zone, hit a loaded slapshot that snuck under sophomore goaltender Jeff VanNynatten (Stratford, Ont.), giving underdog Wayne State a 1-0 lead.
Facing a packed-in Warriors defense, senior forward Paul Muniz (Gloucester, Mass.) would tie the score with less than three minutes remaining in the first period. Off a Jordan Meloff (Coral Springs, Fla.) draw, Muniz’s one-time slapper from the right circle would sneak under the post, past Kelly, tying the game at one.
"It was a big goal because we couldn’t go down two goals," Muniz said of his momentum-turning goal.
Regrouping after allowing the first-period goal to Cannon, VanNynatten would make several key saves to preserve the tie prior to Kormanyos’ game-winning tally. The sophomore, who earned his 17th win of the season, made 32 saves in the contest.
The Purple Eagles outshot Wayne State, 34-33, in the win. Kelly, who made 40 saves in the previous evening’s win over the University of Alabama-Huntsville, made 32 saves in a commendable performance in net for the Warriors.
Niagara faces a Bemidji State team which won a 6-2 decision over the University of Findlay in the other semifinal contest of the CHA Tournament. The final, which is nationally-televised on College Sports Television Sunday at 8 p.m., pits the top-two teams in the final CHA regular season standings. The two teams split the season series, with both winning two games.
"We have one more mountain to climb," Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said. "We’re going to have to play a lot better tomorrow."
