Box Score

STORRS, Conn. – The Niagara men's hockey team (5-7-7, 4-3-5 AHA) could not create enough offense to stick with conference foe UConn (7-10-2, 6-6-1 AHA), coming up on the wrong end of a 4-2 decision Friday evening at the Freitas Ice Forum.  

The Huskies seemed to be in big trouble in the third period, with the Purple Eagles  tallying two goals and outshooting their opponents 13-9.  It was not enough though to dig themselves out of the three goal deficit. 

“Too little too late,” said head coach David Burkholder.  “We took a couple of bad penalties and their powerplay went to work, and unfortunately got the two late goals in the second period.  It was an even game besides special teams.  Our powerplay was not very good and their powerplay made some big time plays.  It was the difference in the game.”   

Down 3-0 entering the third period, Niagara would come within one. The first Niagara goal came 4:01 into the final stanza as Isaac Kohls earned his fourth goal of the season. Sophomore Patrick Divjak was able to find Kohls in front of the crowded net and the freshman one timed it past Huskies goalie Garrett Bartus.

With 1:24 left in regulation, Niagara pulled freshman goaltender Colby Drost for the extra attacker.  Junior Jason Beattie     took a high rising slap shot from the top of the circle that clanked off the iron before beating Huskies goaltender Garrett Bartus to make it a 3-2 game.  

UConn would put the game away with an empty-net tally by Cole Schneider, his hat-trick clinching goal.

The Huskies took the lead 11:24 into the opening period as Marcello Ranallo found a wide open Sean Ambrosie at the top of the crease who lifted the puck past Niagara's starting goaltender Chris Noonan.  The Purple Eagles would tally nine shots on Bartus, but went into the intermission down by one.   

The middle frame saw the Huskies score twice on the powerplay in the final four minutes.  A Schneider slap shot found the back of the net at the 17:46 mark, striking again with 12 seconds left in the middle stanza for a 3-0 lead.

“It’s been a tough road trip,” added Burkholder.  “It’s been very hard on the guys.  We can salvage a really good road trip with a win tomorrow.”   

Noonan pushed aside fifteen shots in the first two periods, while Drost finished the game with eight saves. 
 
The Purple Eagles wrap up their 11-game road trip tomorrow when they conclude their AHA series against the Huskies at 7 p.m.