#1 Niagara Purple Eagles
18-12-6, 9-5-6 CHA
vs.
#5 Alabama-Huntsville Chargers
11-19-3, 7-11-2 CHA
Quest For The Title
The top-seeded Purple Eagles faceoff with fifth-seeded Alabama-Huntsville in the semifinals of the College Hockey America Tournament, today. Niagara looks to advance to the CHA Final for the second-straight season behind CHA Player of the Year Sean Bentivoglio.
UAH scored four unanswered goals in a 4-3 overtime victory in the opening round of the tournament. The Purple Eagles won the season series with the Chargers 2-1-1.
GameDay Central
Purple Eagle fans can listen to all the action, live from 95KGGO Arena, as Paul Hamilton calls the play-by-play on WJJL 1440 AM. The broadcast can also be heard on the internet from the Game Day Central link on PurpleEagles.com.
Annual Awards Sweep
For the second consecutive season, Niagara received all three annual awards at the postseason banquet. The Purple Eagles are led by CHA Player of the Year Sean Bentivoglio, CHA Rookie of the Year Chris Moran and the nation’s-leading goal scorer in Ted Cook. Holding it all together behind the bench is two-time CHA Coach of the Year Dave Burkholder.
Last season, Jeff Van Nynatten earned co-player honors while Cook and Les Reaney were honored as co-rookies of the year.
How They Got Here
Niagara received a first-round bye as the top seed of the tournament. UAH senior Grant Selinger tallied the game winner in overtime to propel the Chargers past Wayne State despite falling behind 3-0 early in the second period.
Playoff History
Niagara and Alabama-Huntsville split the two games played in CHA Tournament history. UAH took a 4-2 semifinal win in 2005 and the Purple Eagles defeated the Chargers 3-2 in the first CHA Championship game, March 12, 2000.
Head-to-Head
The Purple Eagles won the season series 2-1-1, winning both games at home in November. Last weekend, Niagara made the trip south and came back with one point.
In the pair of contets at Dwyer Arena, the Purple Eagles outscored the Chargers 11-4. Sean Bentivoglio and Les Reaney totaled four points while freshman Chris Moran had five. Only Ted Cook and Pat Oliveto had multi-point games at UAH, as Niagara totaled just three goals.
Cookie Monster
Purple Eagle sophomore Ted Cook became the first member of the CHA to lead the nation in goals (32) and power-play tallies (21).
The forward scored three goals in the weekend sweep of Wayne State, Jan. 26-27, with all three coming with the man advantage. Cook leads the CHA with five game-winning goals, including three against WSU.
The sophomore’s 32 goals and 21 power-play tallies are both career highs. His 52 career goals rank eighth on the all-time list, and his 32 career power-play tallies are a Niagara record.
The Nation’s Top Line Lands on Hobey Baker List
Niagara’s top line of Sean Bentivoglio, Les Reaney and Ted Cook has combined for 138 points through 36 games, which is tops in the nation. The trio was named to the Hobey Baker watch list, as all three rank in the nation’s top 13 in points. Only two other teams had at least three players on the list, No. 1 Minnesota (4) and No. 2 New Hampshire (3).
Cook ranks No. 1 in the country in goals and power-play tallies, while Reaney and Bentivoglio are in the top 10 in assists.
Power Play Prowess
Niagara’s power play has been potent all season long as the Purple Eagles have scored 50 times. That number is tied for fourth in the nation and their 20.0 conversion percentage is tied for ninth. The team can break the school record of most power-play goals scored in a single season with its next tally with the man advantage. The 1999-00 team scored 50 power-play goals at a 27.8 clip.
