BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Junior Chris Moran (Buffalo, N.Y.) had his second consecutive two-goal night, as he paced the Purple Eagles men's hockey team (0-1-1) to a 3-3 tie against the host Bowling Green Falcons (1-0-1) at BGSU Ice Arena on Saturday night.

Despite the result, head coach Dave Burkholder is excited about where his team is at.

"Overall I think the team is in a good spot conditioning wise," Burkholder said. "Tonight's effort should help with our confidence."

With just four minutes left in the game, Juliano Pagliero (Dalroy, Alb.) made the initial save against the surging Falcons, but couldn't extend his legs far enough to stop the rebound that was put in the net by David Solway to tie the game at three.

Moran took advantage of an early five on three situation to score his third goal of the season, just three minutes into the game. Ryan Annesley (Ajax, Ont.) sent a saucer pass from the left point to the slot, where Moran slapped it past Falcon netminder Jimmy Spratt for the 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, the Falcons would score the power-play equalizer, as a shot from the left side of Pagliero just squeaked in over his left shoulder.

Moran would score his second goal of the night, with six minutes left in the first period. Jim Burichin (Strongsville, Ohio) sent a long bank pass off the boards to Moran, who skated in on the left face-off circle and wristed a low shot past the stick side of Spratt. Fifty seconds later, Annesley would add his second point of the evening, as he dangled with the puck in the slot, before beating Spratt with a long range shot for a 3-1 Niagara lead.  

Three minutes into the second period, Josh Boyd was in perfect position for the deflected puck that landed on his stick, as he cut the Niagara lead to 3-2. Niagara led 3-2 after two, despite being outshot 33-12.

The third period saw both teams exchange rushes, with Pagliero coming up big for the Purps when they needed it.

Pagliero was busy during the contest, as he made 47 saves for the Purps.

The Purple Eagles now turn their attention to opening weekend at Dwyer Arena, taking on St. Lawrence on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. and No. 13 Clarkson on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m.