HUNTSVILLE, ALA. - The Niagara men's hockey team (7-14-3, 2-5-1 CHA) held two different leads against Alabama-Huntsville  (6-13-2, 2-6-1 CHA), but it wasn't enough as the Chargers squeaked past the Purple Eagles 3-2 in a tightly contested game at the Von Braun Center on Friday night.

The Purple Eagles held two leads earlier in the game, but found themselves down 3-2 late in the game. With freshman netminder Andrew Hare pulled, the Purps tried one last ditch effort to bury the puck in the back of the net, but to no avail.

"Alabama-Huntsville played a real thorough game," head coach Dave Burkholder said. "They didn't give up much when we had the puck and were very opportunistic on their chances."

Niagara took a 1-0 lead early in the game, when a point shot from junior Derek Foam beat Charger netminder Cameron Talbot. Foam's goal would hold until early in the second period, when Jamie Easton banged home a perfect pass on a two-on-one that left Hare and the rest of the Purple Eagles tied at one.

Junior Paul Zanette would give Niagara it's second lead of the night on the penalty kill late in the second period. After blocking a shot, Zanette skated to the loose puck and beat Talbot stick side for his third shorthanded goal of the season and a 2-1 lead. Zanette is now tied with two other players for second place in the nation in shorthanded goals.

Before the end of the period, the Chargers would respond, when Matti Jarvinen scored right off the face off, handcuffing Hare to tie the game at two heading into the break. The Chargers would take the lead for good at the 12:50 mark of the final stanza on the man-advantage, when Andrew Coburn beat Hare five-hole.

"We have to re-group and simply out-work them tomorrow afternoon," Burkholder said.

The same two teams will play once again on Saturday at 3 p.m.