NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's hockey team (7-6-1; 3-1-0 CHA) defeated Robert Morris (3-10-2; 1-2-1 CHA) for the second time in eight days, 3-0, in front of a festive 1,577 at Dwyer Arena on Saturday night.

The Purple Eagles used a strong outburst in the middle of the second period to get past the Colonials, including senior Vince Rocco (Woodbridge, Ont.) inching closer to the 100-point club, by picking up his 98th point. With the man advatage, Rocco found good fortunes in an unusual bounce, which found him in front of the net to bury home the puck. Nearly six minutes later, junior Jim Burichin (Strongsville, Ohio) increased the Purple Eagle lead to 2-0, stuffing home a nice pass from freshman Dan Baco (Buffalo, N.Y.).

The Purps have won five of their last six, something that has head coach Dave Burkholder feeling very happy with where his team is at presently.

"We have won five of our last six and it feels good heading into the break," Burkholder said. "Tonight our defensive zone was unbelivable and Pagliero [Juliano] was steady, he saw everything."

The game started off with a long feeling out process, with both teams trading coast to coast rushes. Sophomore Bryan Haczyk (Nutley, N.J.) nearly missed making it 1-0 short-handed, but as he skated in alone on Colonial netminder Wes Russell, his wrist shot hit the low post, and ploped out into the slot. Both teams went into the first period intermission gridlocked at zero and in shots, with seven.

Up 2-0 late in the third period, sophomore David Ross (Bowmanville, Ont.) continued his hot streak, scoring his eighth point in six games, by stuffing home a centering feed which came from Haczyk, who was planted behind the net.

Senior netminder Juliano Pagliero (Dalroy, Alb.) made 26 saves for his seventh career shutout and his second on the season.

The Purple Eagles will get some time off before traveling to take on Sacred Heart in a two-game series, starting Jan. 2, 2009 at 7 p.m.