Box Score

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. – The Niagara men’s hockey team gave up a two-goal lead to fall in overtime against the Air Force Falcons (1-2-0, 1-0-0 AHA), 3-2 in front of a sellout crowd at the Cadet Ice Arena on Friday night. 

"It was a game that was up for grabs, and we broke down first,” said Niagara head coach, David Burkholder.  “I give them credit as they got better as the game wore on. We had too many guys that didn't bring it."

Left wing Kyle DeLaurell broke a 2-2 tie with 1:50 left in overtime for his second of the evening to pushing the Falcons for the win.  

The Purple Eagles (0-2-1, 0-1-1 AHA) took a 1-0 lead 2:22 minutes into the contest, when Isaac Kohls beat Falcon netminder senior Stephen Caple with a wrister for his first goal of the season off a feed from freshmen Doug Clifford.   Sophomore forward Ryan Rashid lifted a backhander over Caple's shoulder to make it a two goal game just 28 seconds later, assisted by sophomores Scott Arnold and Patrick Divjak.  The Falcons began their comeback after a shot off DeLaurell’s stick streaked past Purple Eagles goaltender Cody Campbell.  Niagara outshot Air Force 10-8 in the period.   

Air Force would tie the game at the 11:21 mark of the second period, when forward Brad McBride cashed in behind goaltender Campbell off a feed from Ryan Timar. The last stanza remained scoreless despite two man-advantages for Niagara, including one late in the period at the 18:51 mark that carried into overtime.  Air Force outshot Niagara 12-6 in the final 20 minutes and in overtime where the Purple Eagles saw zero shots compared to the Falcons’ six.    

Campbell finished the game with 33 saves. 

Niagara is now 11-3-1 in its last 15 games played at Cadet Ice Arena.

The Purple Eagles host No. 11 Union for the home opener on Oct. 21 at Dwyer Arena with a game time of 7 p.m.  To purchase tickets, contact the Niagara Athletic Ticket Office at 716-286-TIXX (8499) or tickets@purpleeagles.com.