WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Niagara men's hockey team (8-5-2, 6-3-0 AHA) couldn't hold onto a one-goal lead, dropping a 4-1 decision to the host Army Black Knights (4-7-1, 3-6-1 AHA) on Saturday night at Tate Rink. The 4-1 loss marks the first time the Purple Eagles have lost to Army in six career meetings (5-1-0).

"Tonight we took on a very tough team to play against," head coach Dave Burkholder said. "They shut us down offensively. We couldn't generate any offense, whether it was on the rush or sustained zone play."

Niagara scored first for the second consecutive night, when senior Bryan Haczyk netted his ninth goal of the season at the 8:11 mark of the first period, extending his consecutive game point streak to 11 games. Army would tie the game 3:42 on the man-advantage, when Andy Starczewski stuffed the puck past junior netminder Chris Noonan.

Both teams traded rushes in the second period, but the game would stay tied at one until late in the frame. Mike Santee took a shot that went off the post and into the net, giving Army a 2-1 lead. Army would take a 3-1 lead halfway through the third period, when Cody Omilusik used a wrist shot to beat Noonan.

The Black Knights would put the game out of reach, when Omilusik would score an empty-net goal with 1:28 left in the game. Noonan made 24 saves in the loss.

Niagara is back in action on Friday, Dec. 3 when they host UConn at 7:05 pm in a game broadcast live on Time Warner Cable.