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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The eighteenth-ranked Purple Eagles start the 2013 portion of the schedule with a home contest against the Air Force Falcons on Saturday, Jan. 5 during Military Appreciation Day.   The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:05 p.m.
 
How To Tune In
Niagara’s game versus Air Force will be broadcast live on WJJL 1440 AM and PurpleEagles.com, with Paul Hamilton on the call.  The contest can also be seen live on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel, at 7:05 p.m. Dave Miller and Andrew Peters will combine for the call, while Katie Riznyk will provide the sideline report.

Live stats can be accessed by clicking the appropriate link above. 
 
Don’t Miss Out!
Due to demand, the Niagara Ticket Office released additional ticket for the Niagara vs. Air Force match-up.  Tickets are limited!  Please call the Niagara Ticket Office (located inside Dwyer Arena) at 716-286-TIXX, visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets or by emailing Tickets@PurpleEeagles.com.

Military Appreciation Day
In an effort to honor the brave men and women defending the United States of America and the freedom we enjoy, Niagara will be hosting a Military Appreciation Day during the Niagara vs. Air Force contest.  NU will welcome all current and former members of the Armed Forces to join them for a special night of tributes.

The first 1000 fans will be presented with an American flag.    Fans in attendance will also have the opportunity to write a letter of support to a serviceman as a means to thank them for all they have done for this country. 
 
Purps In The Polls
Niagara is slated in the 18th position in the USCHO.com Poll. 

NU has been ranked for the prior five weeks, the longest the team has been ranked since their five-week span during the 2007-08 season.  Niagara needs to hold a spot for one more week to tie 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.
 
Home Sweet Home
The tie verses RIT on Dec. 12 extended NU’s current home ice unbeaten streak to 13 games, dating back to the Purple Eagles 3-3 draw against Air Force on Feb. 11, 2012.

Niagara is the only team in Division I hockey to go 22 consecutive games without a loss between Feb.11, 2006 and Nov. 17, 2007.
   
Last Time Out 
The Purple Eagles saw their 12-game unbeaten streak come to an end after the Bowling Green Falcons handed the Niagara a 3-0 loss on Dec. 29 at the BGSU Ice Arena.  Niagara was shutout for the first time this season after allowing a trio of powerplay markers. 

Carsen Chubak wrapped up the game with 40 saves. 
 
Scouting The Falcons
Air Force comes to Dwyer Arena with a 6-8-4 overall record, and a 4-4-2 Atlantic Hockey mark.  The team is currently in seventh place in the conference heading into the second half of the season.

The Falcons have received offensive contributions from all across the roster.  Stephen Carew is tops on the team in goals (10), while Cole Gunner (3-13-16) and Tony Thomas (6-8-14) have also provided offensive for Air Force. 

Goaltending duties have been held by Jason Torf.  The junior holds a 2.58 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. 
 
All-Time vs. Air Force
This will  be the 48th meeting between these two teams, with the Purple Eagles holding a 28-15-4 lead against the Falcons since the series began in 1996.

The teams were both members of the College Hockey America conference from 1999-2006 where NU was 18-6-3 against AFA.  As AHA rivals, Niagara holds a slim 3-2-1 advantage. 
 
Last Time the Birds Met
The Purple Eagles battled the Falcons to a 3-3 draw in the teams’ last meeting (Feb. 11, 2012).  Niagara held a two-goal lead late in the second frame, but Stephen Carew evened the game at three apiece with less than 10 minutes remaining in the game. 

Giancarlo Iuorio led the Purps with three points (1-2-3), with Marc Zanette (1-1-2) and Ryan Rashid (0-2-2) were close behind with a pair of points each.  Patrick Divjak also found the back of the net for Niagara.

Up Next
After Saturday’s game Niagara heads out on a five-game road trip, its longest of the season which includes a weekend series against American International and Holy Cross.