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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Niagara travels to Hamilton, N.Y. on Tuesday, Oct. 9 to battle in-state rival Colgate at Starr Rink.  After Tuesday’s contest, the Purple Eagles host Mercyhurst at Dwyer Arena in the season’s first AHA battle, before embarking on a four-game roadtrip for double-dips with Michigan State and Clarkson.
 
How To Catch The Game
Niagara’s game versus Colgate will be broadcasted live on WJJL 1440 AM, with Paul Hamilton on the call.

Live stats will also be available.  To access, please click on the appropriate link above.  
 
Last Time Out
Niagara started the NCAA 2012-13 collegiate hockey season with a 2-2 draw against CCHA foe the Bowling Green Falcons on Oct. 6.  Chris Lochner scored with 50 seconds remaining in the contest to send the game into extra time, where neither team could net the game-winning tally. 

Rookies Rocky Gruttadauria and Matt Chartrain each earned their first collegiate points as Gruttadauria netted the Purple Eagles first goal of the game off an assist from Chartrain.  Carsen Chubak started in net for NU, making 34 saves, including five stops in overtime. 
 
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. 
 
Scouting The Raiders
Tuesday’s contest marks Colgate’s season opener, ending the 2011-12 season with a 19-17-3 record, and a 11-10-1 ECAC mark. 

The Raiders lost key contributors in Austin Smith (36-21-57) and Chris Wagner (17-34-51), but returners Joe Wilson (10-13-23) and Robbie Bourdon could prove to be an offensive threat.

Junior Eric Mihalk will likely get the nod in net for Colgate, after compiling a 14-12-2 record last season.  He finished the year with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage.
 
Lucky Starr
Niagara is 2-0 in its last two games against the Raiders at Starr Rink.  Niagara defeated the Raiders, 2-1 on Oct. 29, 2011, and took a 4-3 OT decision on Dec. 11, 2010.
 
Tuesday Tidbits
Niagara’s game versus Colgate is the only Tuesday game scheduled this season.

Last season the Purps went 1-1 in Tuesday contests, dropping a game to then No. 6/9 Michigan in their season opener, before a 4-1 victory over Canisius on Feb. 14, 2012.
 
Purple Eagle Firsts 
Players picked up their first career points in the 2-2 draw to Bowling Green on Saturday.

Gruttadauria earned his first career point when he scored the first goal of the game against the Falcons, while Chartrain picked up an assist on the play.

Up Next for NU
The Purple Eagles return to Dwyer Arena on Saturday, Oct. 13, welcoming the Mercyhurst Lakers in the first AHA contest of the season.  The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. 

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.