NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara men's hockey team (1-2-2, 1-0-0 AHA) picked up its first-ever AHA conference win in its first-ever AHA game, downing the visiting Mercyhurst Lakers (0-4-1, 0-2-0 AHA) by a 5-3 score in front of 1,101 fans at Dwyer Arena on Friday night. Niagara is now unbeaten in their last three at Dwyer Arena (1-0-2)

Like the 1999-00 team who won the first College Hockey America game that they ever played in, the Purple Eagles overpowered a Laker team by notching three power-play goals.

"Special teams were key to this victory tonight," Niagara head men's hockey coach Dave Burkholder said. "Players made plays when they had to make them. Our penalty kill was great tonight and really helped us out."

Mercyhurst struck first late in the third period, when Paul Chiasson beat freshman Carsen Chubak for the 1-0 lead. The Purps would respond on the man-advantage just 1:38 later, when sophomore C.J. Chartrain found a streaking Giancarlo Iuorio in the slot, who fired it through the five-hole of Lakers netminder Ryan Zapolski.  

The first period gave way for a wild and crazy shootout in the second period, which saw Niagara take a 4-3 lead. After Mercyhurst took a 2-1 lead at the 12:34 mark of the middle stanza, Niagara responded 29 seconds later, when Paul Zanette slammed home a rebound to knot the game. Nearly 90 seconds later freshman Ryan Rashid gave the Purps a 3-2 lead, before the Lakers quickly tied it again, just 43 seconds later. Niagara would take a 4-3 lead into the locker room after senior David Ross one-timed a Dan Baco cross-ice pass past Zapolski.

Niagara would add the final goal of the game when senior Bryan Haczyk one-timed a beautiful pass from freshman Ryan Murphy under the crossbar, past Zapolski.

Iuorio finished with a goal and two assists for three points, while Zanette (1 goal and 1 assist), freshman Patrick Divjak (two assists) and Rashid (1 goal and 1 assist) each had two-point nights.

The Purple Eagles are back in action on Saturday, when they take on old CHA-foe Robert Morris at 7:05 p.m.