NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The strong goaltending of junior Jeff Van Nynatten helped lead the Niagara University men’s hockey team (10-13-0, 5-5-0) to its first shutout of the season, earning a two-game sweep of the U.S. Air Force Academy (11-11-2, 3-7-0) with a 3-0 win Saturday at Dwyer Arena.
The Stratford, Ontario, native, who made his first start Friday after missing the last eight weeks with an injury, made 15 saves to post his first shutout of the season.
"I think it was pretty impressive that our defense allowed nine shots in the first two periods Friday and then allowed 10 shots in the first two periods tonight," Van Nynatten said. "It seemed that they held the puck in their (Air Force) end for most of the night."
With nine of the 21 players dressing being freshmen, rookies contributed to four of the Purple Eagles’ five points in the contest.
After a scoreless first period, Niagara took a 1-0 lead just over a minute into the middle period when freshman forward Matt Caruana (Orono, Ont.) one-timed a loose puck in between the circles to the stick side of Air Force goaltender Ian Harper. Caruana’s loaded slap shot came off a deflection from freshman Trevor Mallon (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) near the left boards, tipping the puck to Caruana for the shot. The goal was Caruana’s fifth of the season and first game-winning goal of his collegiate career.
A little over four minutes following Caruana’s goal, freshman forward Tayler Simpson (Ottawa, Ont.) extended the Niagara lead to two with his first career goal at 5:36 of the second. After linemate Tim Madsen (Elk River, Minn.) cycled the puck to Simpson, the rookie forward’s shot from the right faceoff circle deflected off of Air Force defenseman Brian Gineo and into the roof of the net past Harper.
Following the game, Simpson applauded the efforts of the rookie class.
"We go out there to work hard and I think it’s really starting to pay off," Simpson said. "We’re starting to buy into the systems and getting to know each other."
Senior forward Ryan Gale (St. Catharines, Ont.) added a short-handed -- empty-net -- goal at 17:43 of the third period to clinch the victory for the Purple Eagles. The goal was Gale’s 18th of the season and third in the last three games.
Shots were in favor of Niagara, 20-15, in the contest, with Harper making 17 saves in the loss.
Extending it’s winning streak to three games, Niagara travels to College Hockey America newcomer Robert Morris next weekend for a two-game series at the Island Sports Complex Friday and Saturday.
Knowing that the Purple Eagles are entering their stretch run of the season, Van Nynatten said it’s crucial for the team to get on a streak.
"I think we’ve been late bloomers the last couple of years," Van Nynatten said. "We’ve got a group of guys who’ve got a lot of heart and a lot of determination to win."
