Men's Ice Hockey 10/30/2014 11:04:00 AM

Men's Hockey Returns Home To Take On AIC

The Niagara men's hockey team will go for their first win of the season against a team it has had success against in the past when it welcomes the American International College Yellow Jackets to Dwyer Arena on Friday and Saturday.

On The Board

Redshirt-Junior Nick Cecere scored the first goal of his career in the first game against Notre Dame on Oct. 24. He found the net with a shot from the point while NU was on the man advantage.

Special Teams

The Purple Eagles turned in their best special teams performance against Notre Dame on Oct. 24. Nick Cecere and Chris Lochner both scored on the power play while the penalty kill went a perfect 4-for-4.
The game was the second time this season that NU held its opponent scoreless on the power play. The first time came against Clarkson on Oct. 10 when the Golden Knights went 0-for-3.

History 101

This weekend's games will be the 11th and 12th meetings all-time between these teams.
All 10 meetings going into the weekend have included a winner and a loser. None of the matchups have ended in a tie.
Niagara holds a 9-1 edge all-time. It opened the conference rivalry by rattling off a six-game winning streak that began in the 2010-11 season and was ended on January 12, 2014 when AIC won 6-2 in Dwyer Arena.
The Purple Eagles responded to the loss with a 5-0 win the following night and then swept the Yellow Jackets in the opening round of the AHA Tournament.

Last Time Out

The last time these teams went head-to-head was on March 8, 2014 at Dwyer Arena in game two of the best-of-three opening round of the AHA tournament. After Niagara won game one in double-OT 1-0, it got the brooms out with a 4-2 win to earn the sweep.
NU opened with a three-goal first period with goals from Sam Alfieri, Matt Chartrain, and Ryan Rashid. A tally from Matt Williams gave Niagara the 4-0 lead as it coasted to a 4-2 victory.

Success Against The Yellow Jackets

A trio of Purple Eagles have put up landmark games against conference-foe American International:
Dan Kolenda ended the longest game in NU's history when he scored the lone tally in last season's double-OT game against AIC in the opening round of last season's AHA tournament on March 7. The game lasted 84:43. Just for those keeping track at home.
Isaac Kohls has scored three points in a single game (a career-high) on three occasions. The latest of which came on Jan. 13, 2013 against AIC.
Chris Lochner scored a hat-trick against the Yellow Jackets on Jan. 12, 2012 to set a career-high for goals in a game.

The Century Club

A pair of Purple Eagles are closing in on their 100th game played.
Senior center Chris Lochner and senior defenseman Kevin Albers both head into the weekend at 98 games played in their careers.

Double-Up

Matt Chiarantano's two assists against Notre Dame on Oct. 24 gave him the first multiple-point game for the Purple and White in the 2014-15 season.

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Players Mentioned

#29 Ryan Rashid: F; 6' 2"; Senior; R

#5 Matt Williams: D; 6' 0"; Senior; L

#4 Kevin Albers: D; 5' 11"; Senior; R

#12 Sam Alfieri: F; 5' 10"; Senior; R

#7 Nick Cecere: D; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior; L

#23 Matt Chartrain: F; 5' 11"; Junior; L

#24 Matt Chiarantano: D; 5' 9"; Junior; L

#27 Isaac Kohls: F; 5' 9"; Senior; R

#10 Dan Kolenda: F; 6' 4"; Junior; R

#16 Chris Lochner: F; 5' 8"; Senior; R

Players Mentioned

#29 Ryan Rashid
: 6' 2"; Senior; R
: F

#5 Matt Williams
: 6' 0"; Senior; L
: D

#4 Kevin Albers
: 5' 11"; Senior; R
: D

#12 Sam Alfieri
: 5' 10"; Senior; R
: F

#7 Nick Cecere
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior; L
: D

#23 Matt Chartrain
: 5' 11"; Junior; L
: F

#24 Matt Chiarantano
: 5' 9"; Junior; L
: D

#27 Isaac Kohls
: 5' 9"; Senior; R
: F

#10 Dan Kolenda
: 6' 4"; Junior; R
: F

#16 Chris Lochner
: 5' 8"; Senior; R
: F