NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - In the opening game of its home and Atlantic Hockey schedule this season, the Niagara hockey team faced a formidable test against the defending conference regular-season champion Robert Morris. With the Colonials leading 3-2 halfway through the third period, the Purple Eagles found the equalizer from Dan Kolenda in order to earn a 3-3 tie Saturday night at Dwyer Arena.
 
TJ Sarcona and Albin Karlsson added goals for the Purple Eagles in addition to Kolenda, the first goal of the season for each of those three players. Guillaume Therien was an integral part of Niagara's success holding the Colonials' offense in check, turning away 38 of 41 shots against.
 
Early in the third period trailing by a goal, Niagara had to contain Robert Morris during a crucial five-on-three penalty kill. The Colonials had six shot attempts on that man advantage, but the Niagara defenders blocked four of those shots and Therien turned away the only shot that made it on net. That helped to turn the tide in the Purple Eagles' favor, and set the stage for Kolenda's goal, a gritty finish in front of the net from the big senior.
 
In the opening period, Robert Morris' Greg Gibson opened the scoring off a two-on-one with Zac Lynch, but Sarcona had the answer for Niagara. A slick cycle of passing with linemates Stephen Pietrobon and Stanislav Dzakhov helped Sarcona open up a scoring chance in the low slot, and the junior wasted no time knotting the game at one goal apiece.
 
Early in the second period, Niagara showed the ability to respond once again after Robert Morris picked up a power-play goal from Gibson. Albin Karlsson picked up his first goal of the year with a wraparound that beat Colonials netminder Dalton Izyk, knotting the score at 2-2 just 6:42 into the second period.
 
Once more, Robert Morris took the lead with Daniel Leavens' goal at the 12:53 mark of the second, but Niagara found one more goal with Kolenda's tally serving as the final game-tying goal. Robert Morris outshot Niagara in the extra time 7-3, but Therien turned away every shot to preserve the tie.
 
The Purple Eagles registered their first point of the season with the tie, moving to 0-2-1 overall. For Robert Morris, it was their second 3-3 tie in a row after earning a draw with Air Force by the same score on Oct. 17, and the Colonials moved to 1-0-2 on the season.
 
Niagara and Robert Morris will have a chance to settle the score in game two of the weekend doubleheader at Dwyer Arena. The two teams will face off again Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.
 
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