MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Down 2-0 in the third period, the Niagara men's hockey team (15-8-3, 12-6-1 AHA) scored twice in a two-minute span to earn a 2-2 tie against the host Robert Morris Colonials (15-8-4, 10-6-4 AHA) on Saturday night from the RMU Island Sports Center.

Five minutes into the third period Niagara appeared to have scored their first of the game, but it was negated after a lengthy review. The Purps would finally get on the board at the 11:06 mark of the third period, when a shot from the top of the point by freshman Kevin Ryan was tipped through the legs of Levine by fellow rookie Scott Arnold. Niagara would tie the game just under two minutes later, when freshman Ryan Murphy beat Colonials netminder Eric Levine.

"We had to play from behind tonight and I was happy with how the team responded," Niagara Head Coach Dave Burkholder said. "I was happy with our perserverence and never give up attitude."

After a scoreless and physical first period, the host Colonials struck twice in a span of 52 seconds early in the second period, off of the sticks of Nick Chiavetta and Scott  Kobialko. Niagara outshot the Colonials by a 34-24 margin after two periods of play, but couldn't get a puck past Levine.

Freshman netminder Cody Campbell was strong in net for Niagara, making a career-high 38 saves to keep Niagara in the game.

"I was pleased with Cody tonight," Burkholder said. "He held us in the game in the second period and gave us a chance to get back into the game. The point we earned tonight will be huge come the end of February." 

For the first time since Oct. 23, 2010 against RPI, senior Bryan Haczyk was held pointless, snapping his program-best 21-game point streak. With the tie, Niagara also avoids losing two-straight games for the second time this season.

Niagara is back in action on Friday, Feb. 4, when they host Mercyhurst at 7:05 p.m., a game that will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports Net.