NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The men's hockey team (10-9-1; 3-1-0 CHA) had its offense firing on all cylinders in the midst of a very physical game, taking a 5-1 victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats (12-8-2; 6-4-2 ECAC) in front of 1,562 at Dwyer Arena on Saturday night.

The two teams combined for 66 penalty minutes, but the Purps were also able to mix in plenty of offense into their intense game, something which head coach Dave Burkholder was happy to see from his team.

"This was our last non-conference game of the year against a team thats playing well," Burkholder said. "For our team to respond the way they did, its monumental. If we play like that every night, it will be a fun 14-game stretch."

Unlike in their previous encounter, the Purps got on the board first in the opening frame. With freshman Brian Dowd (Buffalo, N.Y.) pinching along the far boards, junior Jim Burichin (Strongsville, Ohio) took a wrist shot from the point, that got past an unsuspecting Dan Clarke. After the Bobcats tied it at one, Niagara would respond a minute later, with sophomore Paul Zanette (Nobleton, Ont.) tipping in a point shot from junior Ryan Annesley (Ajax, Ont.).

Entering the second period with a 2-1 advantage, Tyler Gotto (Calgary, Alb.) would rocket a one-timer past Clarke. Late in the second period, senior Ted Cook (Hogansburg, N.Y.) roofed a slap shot over the shoulder of Clarke for his 75th career goal and a 4-1 lead through two periods of play.

Senior Travis Anderson (Coon Rapids, Minn.) would add his second goal of the season, as he skated in alone along the far faceoff circle and scored on a grounder slapshot. Senior netminder Juliano Pagliero (Dalroy, Alb.) made 23 saves in the victory.

The Purps are back in action next weekend, heading to Bemidji State for a weekend series, starting on Friday, Jan. 23.