NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University hockey team (14-18-2, 9-9-2) won its regular season finale Saturday, defeating Robert Morris University (8-20-4, 4-14-2), 3-1, at Dwyer Arena.
Seniors Shayne Baylis (St. Catharines, Ont.), Ryan Carrigan (Burlington, Ont.), Barret Ehgoetz (Kincardine, Ont.), Ryan Gale (St. Catharines, Ont.) and Kris Wiebe (Lloydminster, Alb.) comprised the starting lineup for the Purple Eagles Saturday, as the five seniors were honored prior to playing their final home game of their collegiate careers.
Niagara scored midway into the first period to take a 1-0 lead.
Behind the net, Ehgoetz dropped the puck to freshman Cliff Ketchen (Winnipeg, Man.), who was charging free in the slot. Ketchen quickly hit a one-time shot into the roof of the net for his second goal of the season at the 12:32 mark of the opening period.
The Purple Eagles built on their one-goal lead at 8:43 of the middle period when Wiebe took the puck off of freshman C.J. Tozzo (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and hit a low shot past Colonials goaltender Christian Boucher for the game-winning goal. The goal was Wiebe’s third game-winner of the season.
"It was a big goal, but most of all, I’m just happy with the way the boys put it together and finished off the night," Wiebe said.
Robert Morris defenseman Jeff Gilbert scored early in the third period to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Purple Eagles, but Niagara, through timely saves by goaltender Jeff Van Nynatten (Stratford, Ont.) and steady defending, protected the lead in the final period.
In a gesture of respect and a true illustration of how the night belonged to the senior players on the Purple Eagles, sophomore Sean Bentivoglio (Thorold, Ont.) passed up an open shot at an empty Robert Morris net in the final moments, instead opting to dish the puck forward to Gale for an empty-net goal at 19:49. For the departing Gale, the goal was his 23rd of the season and fourth in the last three games.
Shots were in favor of Niagara, 28-23, with Van Nynatten (9-10-2) making 22 saves for the victory. Boucher (8-16-4) made 25 saves in the loss.
Following the win, the Purple Eagles locked up the No. 3 seed in next weekend’s College Hockey America Tournament, played at the IRA Civic Center, in Grand Rapids, Minn. As the No. 3 seed, Niagara faces Robert Morris, the No. 6 seed, for a third consecutive game.
"The way playoffs are set up, it’s really anyone’s tournament," Wiebe said of next weekend. "We’re going to have to show up and be ready to play three hard games."
The quarterfinal contest between the Purple Eagles and the Colonials is scheduled for an 4:35 p.m. start Friday.
