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Niagara Univ., N.Y. – The Niagara men’s hockey team is preparing for the start of the 2012-13 season with a non-conference match-up against CCHA opponent the Bowling Green Falcons on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Dwyer Arena.
How To Catch The Game
Niagara’s game versus Bowling Green will be broadcasted live on WJJL 1440 AM, with Paul Hamilton on the call. The game on Saturday is also available via the America One Network.
Tickets Still Available!
Seats are still available for Saturday's contest. Contact the Niagara Ticket Office (located inside Dwyer Arena) at 716-286-TIXX or by emailing
Tickets@PurpleEagles.com.
Before Everyone Else
The Purple Eagles will begin their 2012-13 campaign before every other team in the NCAA. Quinnipiac and Merrimack also kick off the newest NCAA hockey season on Oct. 6, but they have a 7 p.m. start to their games against Maine and Union, respectively.
Taking A Look Back
Last season Niagara amass 17 wins after playing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the program’s history including Frozen Four participant Union, Minnesota, Michigan and Cornell. The Purps advanced to the 2012 AHA Tournament semifinals after winning its best-of-three quarterfinals series against Robert Morris at Dwyer Arena.
Scouting The Falcons
The Bowling Green Falcons will also begin its 2012-13 season against the Purple Eagles.
The Falcons finished last season with a record of 14-25-5 (5-19-4 CCHA). Bowling Green will be led by senior Ryan Carptenter (11-19-30) and sophomore Dan DeSalvo (14-11-25).
Bowling Green currently has three goaltenders and will likely start Andrew Hammond on Saturday. Hammond went 14-24-5 for the Falcons last year, with a 2.73 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage.
Last Time vs. Bowling Green
Niagara is 2-2-1 against Bowling Green, including a 2-0-0 mark at Dwyer Arena. In a series that dates back to 2000, NU last faced the Falcons on Oct. 11 2008. The teams skated to a 3-3 tie at the BGSU Ice Arena in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Purps In The Preseason Polls
NU were picked to finish second in the AHA preseason poll. Niagara racked up 101 points, including three votes to finish as the conference champions. The Purple Eagles were slated for fourth in the previous two seasons.
Niagara also appeared in the USCHO.com pre-season poll, receiving two votes.
“Aye Aye, Captain”
Two members of the Niagara senior class will serve as captains for the 2012-13 season. Defensemen
Jason Beattie and
Dan Weiss will serve as the team’s co-captains this season.
Senior
Giancarlo Iuorio will be the team’s lone alternate captain this season.
Offense Returns
While Niagara loses one of its top scorers from last season (Scott Arnold) all but one player ranked from 1-13 on the team in scoring returns to the ice.
Giancarlo Iuorio, who was tied for first on the team with 24 points last season and was one of two players to reach double figures in goals (10) and assists (14), will return for his final season in Monteagle Ridge.
Sophomores Look to Avoid Slump
Niagara’s freshmen class had a huge impact last season led by 13 goals and 16 points from
Chris Lochner Isaac Kohls was ranked ninth in the AHA with 22 points (8-14-22) among rookies. Also contributing was
Sam Alfieri (12 points) and
Mike Benedict (6 points).
Talented Freshman Class Set to Debut
Niagara’s six-member freshmen class is set to debut, headlined by forwards
Dan Kolenda, Hugo Turcotte, Matt Chartrain and
Rocky Gruttadauria.
Matt Chiarantano and
Matt Dineen headline the defensemen.
Something For Later
In addition to the first-year players, the Purple Eagles will add
Nick Cecere and
Mike Conderman who transfered from Michigan Tech and U-Mass Lowell, respectively. Both will join the team in 2013-14.
Up Next For NU
After Saturday’s contest against Bowling Green, the Purple Eagles head to Hamilton, N.Y. on Oct. 9, to play ECAC foes the Colgate Raiders on the only Tuesday game scheduled this season. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. at Starr Arena.
