NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Three goals in the third period put the Niagara Purple Eagles on the comeback trail, but the Canisius Golden Griffins added an empty netter late in the final minute to seal a 6-4 win on Saturday night at Dwyer Arena.
 
A Kevin Patterson short-handed goal was bookended by tallies from TJ Sarcona and Robert Angiolella to bring the Purple Eagles (3-19-2; 3-13-2 AHA) within one, 5-4, with 38 seconds left on the clock.
 
"You know, we were sitting in the coaches room after two and we had domination in face-offs, grade-A's, shots, physicality, and we were down 4-1," head coach Dave Burkholder said. "That's our season. So, what do you do? Hang your head? Give up? Or do you come out and fight like we did in the third?"
 
Trailing by three heading into the third, Sarcona scored his second goal of the season seven minutes into the final frame to get things started. Lawrence Smith passed the puck to Hugo Turcotte just outside the offensive blue line and the junior dumped it in around the boards. NU got a fortunate bounce when the puck caromed off of the Zamboni doors and popped out to Sarcona who was driving through the slot and cut the deficit to 4-2.
 
Patterson's shorthanded tally brought the Purple and White within one, 4-3, with three minutes left. Angiolella and Isaac Kohls combined for a nice chance in front before the rebound went into the corner. Angiolella collected the loose puck and hit Patterson on the tape and the defenseman converted from the face-off circle.
 
"We didn't quit," said Burkholder. "Again, what can we say about Robby and Derian Plouffe? They were fantastic. Kevin Patterson jumps in and scores a huge goal for us. The kid does nothing but work hard and does extra so it's really good to see those guys get rewarded."
 
Just over a minute later, Canisius (12-8-6; 11-4-5 AHA) added an even-strength goal to push its lead back to two, but NU wasn't done yet. Angiolella scored his second of the game with 38 seconds remaining and the goalie pulled to make it a one-goal game once again. Vincent Muto sent the puck from the right point down to Plouffe in the corner while Angiolella posted-up at the top of the crease. Plouffe found his fellow freshman on the doorstep to make it a 5-4 game.
 
Niagara kept the goalie on the bench and Canisius was able to score an insurance goal with 16 seconds left to come away with the 6-4 win.
 
Niagara outshot its opponent 28-24 through the full 60 minutes. Angiolella's three points were a team-high and moved him into a three-way tie with Kohls and Hugo Turcotte with 11 on the year. NU's penalty kill unit went 3-for-4 while the power-play went 1-for-3.
 
Just like in Thursday night's contest, Canisius was first on the board and Niagara knotted the game at 1-1 before the first 20 minutes expired. This time Niagara would strike on the power-play when Angiolella scored his first of the night. Vincent Muto and Keegan Harper moved the puck point-to-point before Muto found Angiolella in the slot. He turned, fired, and beat the goalie near side. The Golden Griffins were able to score three goals on nine shots to build the 4-1 lead they took into the third period.
 
The Purple Eagles are back out on the road next weekend when they go to Massachusetts to take on Holy Cross on Friday and Saturday.