Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., NY - To open up its schedule for the 2015-16 season, the Niagara men's hockey team welcomed the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks to Dwyer Arena. Niagara only made its fans wait 55 seconds to see the team's first goal of the year, and the offense continued to be the driving force throughout a 5-3 victory Saturday.
 
The Purple Eagles wasted no time going on the offensive, as Stephen Pietrobon tallied in the opening minute before Lawrence Smith and Nick Farmer added goals during a 5-on-3 advantage. Farmer added his second goal of the evening early in the second period, capping an eventful evening for the freshman from Spokane, Wash.
 
Vincent Muto concluded Niagara's scoring at the 8:39 mark of the second, as Albin Karlsson set up Muto for a blistering slap shot that blasted past the blocker of the Golden Hawks' goaltender. Guillaume Therien, another freshman, played the full 60 minutes in net and turned away 20 of 23 shots for the win.
 
The forward line of Edwards (0+2), Farmer (2+0), and Phillip Nasca (0+2) combined for six points on the afternoon, and all three impressed throughout the exhibition for Niagara. The line garnered considerable time on both the power play and penalty kill as well.
 
With three goals on four power-play chances, Niagara garnered a considerable amount of their offense through the man-advantage. The same could be said for Wilfrid Laurier, which converted on two of their first three power-play chances en route to a 2-for-5 finish. The Canadian squad won their first two non-conference games of the year before Saturday's loss to the Purple Eagles.
 
The season begins in earnest for Niagara next weekend. With games at St. Lawrence (Fri. Oct. 9, 7:00 p.m.) and Clarkson (Sat. Oct. 10, 7:00 p.m.) Niagara kicks off their non-conference schedule with two tough tests on the road.

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