For the second consecutive weekend, the Purple Eagles will be home for AHA play, taking on the American International Yellow Jackets. This weekend marks the first time that AIC will play at Dwyer Arena.
How To Catch The Game
Saturday's contest between the Purple Eagles and the Yellow Jackets can be seen live in the Buffalo area courtesy of Time Warner Cable Sports Net. Fans wishing to tune in can catch the game on channel 87 (Standard Definition).
Niagara's games against AIC will be also be broadcast on WJJL 1440 AM. Every game, including Niagara's games against Army can also be heard via Niagara All-Access for free, under the Multimedia tab of PurpleEagles.com.
Links for the live audio (WJJL), live video (America One), live stats and game notes are found at the top of the page.
Tickets Still Available!
Seats are still available for both games this weekend, as Niagara plays at Dwyer Arena for just the second series since Nov. 15. Contact the Niagara Ticket Office (located inside Dwyer Arena) at 716-286-TIXX or by emailing Tickets@PurpleEagles.com.
Get To Know Your Foe: AIC
The American International Yellow Jackets are 4-16-2, with a 3-10-2 AHA record. The Yellow Jackets are currently in 10th place out of 12 teams in the AHA.
The Yellow Jackets are led by junior Adam Pleskach (9-7-16) and senior Nielsson Arcibal (5-10-15). AIC also gets strong play from sophomore Jon Puskar (5-8-13).
Junior Ben Meisner will likely earn the nod to play between the pipes, earning a 4-13-2 record with a 3.07 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
Last Time Vs. AIC
Two first period goals by Bryan Haczyk was enough to push Niagara past AIC by a 3-1 margin on Jan. 15, 2011 in Massachusetts. Paul Zanette scored the other Niagara goal, while Cody Campbell made 30 saves in the victory.
Success At Dwyer Arena
Niagara is currently on a modest three-game unbeaten streak at home, going 2-0-1 against Army and Canisius, dating back to Nov. 15, 2011. The Purple Eagles played Canisius to a 1-1 tie in November, before sweeping Army last weekend at Dwyer Arena.
High “Noon”
Senior netminder
Chris Noonan has played well for Niagara, having gone 4-2-3 since earning the loss in the 7-6 loss to then-nationally ranked Colgate. Noonan has a 1.84 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage since the one-goal loss to Colgate on Oct. 28.
In home games, Noonan has been equally as impressive, with a 2-1-0 mark to go with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage. In January thus far, Noonan has a 1.37 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage with a 2-2-0 record.
National Noonan
Senior netminder Chris Noonan is currently in the nation’s top 10 in two statistical categories. Noonan’s season goals-against average of 1.99 is tied for fifth-best in the nation with C.J. Motte of Ferris State, while his .934 save percentage this year is tied for second-best with Paul Karpowich of Clarkson and Brooks Ostergard of Robert Morris.
