ROCHESTER N.Y. - The Niagara men's hockey team (16-8-4) trailed by two goals in the second period then battled back to gain a one goal lead in the third period, before RIT tied the game for a final score of  3-3 in front of a sold out crowd of 2,100 at Frank Ritter Memorial Ice Arena on Saturday night. The tie builds on Niagara's unbeaten streak, now going undefeated for the last eight consecutive games.

With an early RIT goal, Niagara trailed by a goal for the majority of the first period. At 5:05 into the first period Simon Lambert scored on a wrap around goal and slammed the puck in on Juliano Pagliero’s stick side for the first goal of the game.

RIT continued to build its lead scoring a power-play goal 5:07 into the second period. Matt Smith, who found himself open on the Niagara goal post received a pass from Dan Ringwald for a one-timer and a goal for a 2-0 RIT lead.

Niagara, trying to regain control of the scoreboard scored two quick goals to tie the game at two.Vince Rocco (Woodbridge, Ont.) sent a centering pass to  Ted Cook (Hogansburg, N.Y.)  for a shot and a goal to put Niagara on the board. Just over a minute after Niagara’s first goal Bryan Haczyk (Nutley, N.J.) was credited with tying the game for the Purple Eagles. Defenseman  Derek Foam (Mississauga, Ont.) got the puck at the point from Chris Moran (Buffalo, N.Y.) and fired a slap shot at RIT goaltender Jared DeMichiel, which was tipped by Haczyk to even the game at two.

WIth an even game going into the third period Egor Mironov (Thornhill, Ont.) picked up a drop pass left by David Ross (Bowmanville, Ont.) for a slap-shot and a goal to give the Purple Eagles the lead for the first time of the game.

With 1:04 left in regulation RIT found themselves on a power-play and a chance to tie the game. The Tigers called a time-out to regroup, and took their goaltender out of the game to give RIT an additional skater for two-man advantage over the Purple Eagles. Matt Smith scored to tie the game at three off a slap-shot from the point, which bounced off the cross-bar and into the Purple Eagle's net, forcing the game into a scoreless overtime.

"We persevered through a tough week with the flu bug going through the team, it was difficult not to have a regular practice week,"said coach Dave Burkholder. "We played a great road game and the team deserved better."

At the end of the evening the shot total was even at 33 for both teams. Pagliero stopped 30 RIT shots, perhaps the most crucial coming after Niagara's two quick goals. RIT's leading goal scorer had a 1-on-0 break away to the Niagara net with Pagliero coming up big with a glove save to keep the game tied.

Niagara continues its season with its final six conference games ahead. The Purple Eagles will be traveling to Alabama-Huntsville before hosting CHA rival Robert Morris and then heading on Niagara's final road trip to Wayne State, each playing two-game series.