Box Score

WALTHAM, Mass. - The Niagara men's hockey team (4-5-5, 3-2-4 AHA) skated to a 2-2 draw against the Bentley Falcons (4-8-3, 4-3-2 AHA) on Friday evening at John Ryan Skating Arena. The Purple Eagles are noe 3-0-1 all-time against the Falcons, while currently on a four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2).

Niagara starting goaltender Chris Noonan had a solid game between the pipes, pushing aside 36 Falcon shots, including five overtime stops. 
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"Noonan was the star of the game without question," said head coach David Burkholder.  "He was the best player on the ice for both teams and you need that on the road especially when you're playing shorthanded the whole third period.  He was our best penalty killer.  It was a huge point on the road."

Dan Baco would finish the weekend with three helpers while Jeff Hannan and Robert Martini  teamed up again for the second straight night to tally a goal for Niagara.

"I thought the Hannan-Martini line got us a big goal when we needed it," added Burkholder.  "More times than not they created havoc for the other team with nothing, but hard work and getting pucks deep."   

In a first period that saw 20 minutes worth of penalties between the two teams, the Purple Eagles found themselves in a 1-0 hole less than a minute in.  Freshman forward Alex Kubiak took a shot that deflected off Mike Switzer before bouncing in behind Noonan.  

Blueliner Dan Weiss would tie the game up at the 12:28 mark of the second stanza.  The junior's booming slapshot from just inside the blueline defeated Bentley goalie Branden Komm for his second tally of the year and of his Niagara career.  The Purple Eagles took the lead under five minutes later as Hannan netted his second of the weekend and third of the year.  Robert Martini found Hannan waiting at the top of the crease for the one timer to make it a 2-1 game.    

The Falcons had several glorious chances going into the final period, but Noonan was a rock in net.  Freshman Matt Maher finally got one past the Niagara goaltender when he ripped one top shelf to make it 2-2 with eight minutes left in regulation.

Bentley forward Brett Gensler had the game on his stick with 1.3 seconds left on the clock when the Falcons were awarded a penalty shot after Baco was guilty of covering the puck with his glove while in the crease.  Gensler's backhand attempt though flew wide of the net. 

Niagara continues its 11-game road trip next weekend when it takes on Robert Morris and Mercyhurst in single games.  The Purple Eagles faceoff against Robert Morris on Friday at 7:05 p.m., taking on Mercyhurst on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.