NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The No. 17 Niagara Purple Eagles travel to Springfield, Mass. to take on the American International College Yellow Jackets for an Atlantic Hockey weekend series. The puck drops for the first game on Friday, Jan. 11, with the series wrapping up the following day. Both contests are scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. at the Olympia Ice Center.
Tune In
Niagara’s game versus AIC will be broadcasted live on WJJL 1440 AM and PurpleEagles.com, with Jeremy White on the call.
Live stats can be accessed by clicking the appropriate link above.
Last Time Out
The Purple Eagles had to come from behind twice, but eventually prevailed 4-3 against Air Force. Matt Williams got the game-winner with just under 10 minutes to play.
Hugo Turcotte contributed a goal and an assist in the win, while
Kevin Ryan and
Dan Kolenda pocketed a pair of helpers.
Carsen Chubak made 31 saves in net in the victory.
Purps In The Polls
Niagara is slated in the 17th position in the USCHO.com Poll.
NU has been ranked for the prior six weeks, tying the program record of seven consecutive weeks (Jan. 2 - Feb. 12, 2007).
The Purple Eagles pocketed their highest ranking of the season during the week of Dec. 10, pulling down a No. 16 ranking in the USCHO.com Division I Poll.
Lending A Hand
Kevin Ryan is currently tops on the team in assists (14), recently contributing two in the 4-3 win over Air Force on Jan. 5. The stat is a career-high for the junior, who is second in the AHA in assists, and 14th in the nation in points per game (0.78) among defensemen.
Rockin’ Rookies
Niagara’s first-years had a solid showing for the Purps in the win over AFA on Jan. 5.
Hugo Turcotte earned his second two-point night of the year with a goal and an assist, while
Dan Kolenda grabbed a career-high two points off a pair of helpers.
Bring On League Play
Dating back to Niagara’s Feb. 11 AHA game against Air Force, the Purps have secured at least one point in their last 19 AHA contests.
NU has earned 33 out of a possible 38 points during that span. The team’s 11-game AHA unbeaten streak (10-0-1) is tops in the league.
The 1990-00 team holds the Niagara record for longest conference unbeaten streak in a season, going 15-0-2 in the CHA. Including the 2000-01 team, Niagara topped out its unbeaten streak to 19 games.
Scouting The Yellow Jackets
AIC welcomes Niagara to Springfield, Mass. with a 4-10-3 overall record, and a 1-7-3 conference mark.
The Yellow Jackets’ offense is spearheaded by Adam Pleskach (4-10-14). The team has also received help from Jon Puskar (5-5-10) and Blake Peake (3-6-9).
Goaltending duties are held by Ben Meisner who holds a 4.05 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage.
All-Time vs. AIC
This will be the fifth meeting between the two teams, with the Purple Eagles taking the previous four contests against the Yellow Jackets since the series began in 2010.
Up Next For Niagara
After the double dip against AIC, Niagara heads out to Holy Cross for a pair (Jan. 18 & Jan. 19), before battling RIT in the Purple Eagles’ first home-and-home series of the season (Jan. 25 & Jan. 26).
