Box Score
 
STORRS, Conn. – The Niagara men's hockey team (5-8-7, 4-4-5 AHA) fell behind in the second period and could not recover, with the UConn Huskies (8-10-2, 7-6-1 AHA) earning a 2-0 victory on Saturday evening at the Freitas Ice Forum.  

The Purple Eagles were down a goal, with 60 seconds remaining and senior netminder Chris Noonan on the bench for the extra attacker. Niagara put several quality chances on net, but UConn would solidify the win with an empty net tally from Brant Harris.

“We did a great job in killing off four minutes and 50 seconds of a five minute major, but they got one which is unfortunate,” said head coach David Burkholder.  “We responded really well after yesterday’s loss.  From the start to finish it was clear that we dominated play all over the ice, but their guy [Garrett Barttus] was good.  He didn’t make a mistake all weekend.”   
  
The first twenty minutes of play were controlled by the Purple Eagles at both ends of the rink.  The Niagara defense held the Husky offense to only two scoring attempts, while peppering UConn goaltender Garrett Bartus with 13 shots. 

The best opportunity for the Purple Eagles in the period came off the stick of Marc Zanette while on the penalty kill.  The junior forward picked up a loose puck on the near boards and skated in towards the net, lifting a high wrister destined for the top corner, but it was juggled by Bartus for the save.  
 
The game began to tilt towards UConn in the middle stanza, as the Huskies took control of the scoreboard with 1:15 left on the clock.  Eleven seconds remained on a five minute major on the Purple Eagles, Cole Schneider made a hard pass to Billy Latta, who one-timed it past the outstretched glove of Noonan for the 1-0 lead. 

Despite being down a goal, Niagara began the final period with momentum on their side, almost pulling even on the powerplay early in the final stanza.  Sophomore defender Kevin Ryan saw the puck trickle along the goal line off his wide angled shot before Bartus pounced on it.  

"I can’t remember having to play eight league games on the road in a row," added Burkholder.  "It took its toll, but we came out of it with a 3-2-3 record.  We have to be happy with that." 

Noonan was strong between the pipes, stopping 22 Husky shots.  The Purple Eagles finish their longest road trip in program history with a 3-4-4 record, including games played with several regulars out of the lineup. 

Niagara makes its long awaited return back to Dwyer Arena next week when they host AHA foes Army, next Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Friday's contest will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Sportsnet in Western New York (Channel 13 for SD or 713 for HD).