BUFFALO, N.Y. – A wild, back-and-forth second period between the Purple Eagles hockey team and the Canisius Golden Griffins led to a tie game after 40 minutes. Despite some great chances each way, neither team could find a game-winning goal, as Niagara settled for a 3-3 tie Saturday afternoon at the HARBORCENTER.
 
Derian Plouffe picked up his third goal in as many games, while also adding an assist and winning 11 of 16 faceoffs to lead the Purple Eagles (3-16-3, 3-11-2 Atlantic Hockey). Larry Smith added two assists on defense, and Sean King and Tanner Lomsnes also tallied for Niagara. Jackson Teichroeb made a season-high 31 saves, helping Niagara end a six-game losing skid with the tie.
 
"I was really pleased with our work ethic and I thought we played really well," head coach Dave Burkholder said. "We came out with some spirit and did a lot of good things, but two turnovers ended up in the back of our net.
 
"We think, from where we started to where we are now, down the stretch we still have a lot of hockey left, and we can be very dangerous."
 
The Golden Griffins (7-14-3, 7-8-3 Atlantic Hockey) opened the scoring 1:12 into the game off a Dylan McLaughlin wraparound, but Niagara would get on the board before the first was over. Larry Smith began the breakout with a pass to Ryan Kuhn, who chipped the puck ahead to Plouffe for a 2-on-1 chance. Plouffe powered his way past a Canisius defender in the neutral zone and ripped a shot over the left shoulder of Canisius goaltender Simon Hofley with 1:08 left in the first period.
 
Daniel LaFontaine gave Canisius the 2-1 lead just over four minutes into the second period, but Niagara came back with two consecutive goals. Sean King scored his second power-play goal of the season off a pretty passing play with help from Plouffe and Matt Chiarantano at the 14:56 mark. Just under four minutes later, Smith and Patterson were negated with two shots on net, but the rebound rolled to Lomsnes on the back door for a tap-in goal, his fourth of the season.
 
Canisius was able to negate the run and tie the game heading into the second intermission. A turnover led to a prime scoring chance for Canisius, as Ryan Schmelzer found Shane Conacher for the equalizer just 22 seconds before the break.
 
While neither team scored in the third period or overtime, Teichroeb had to stay on his toes to keep it that way, stopping 13 shots in the final 25 minutes of play. Midway through the period, Teichroeb made a sprawling post-to-post save on a penalty kill to keep Niagara perfect in that department. Niagara's penalty kill is now 25-for-27 (92.6 percent) through its last six games.
 
Canisius headed to the power-play after a hooking call to Stanislav Dzakhov with 13 seconds left in regulation. A point shot off the faceoff was deflected by the Griffs' Felix Chamberland and got around Teichroeb, but it rang clear off the pipe and the two teams went to overtime. The extra period saw two shots for Niagara and three shots for Canisius, but neither team was able to find a game-winning tally.
 
Next up for the Purple Eagles is a long-distance road trip to Colorado Springs, Colo. to take on the Air Force Falcons. The two games will begin at 9:05 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22 and 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 in eastern times. Both games can be heard over the airwaves on 1340 AM WLVL and PurpleEagles.com/Watch.
 
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and follow Purple Eagles hockey on Twitter @NiagaraUHockey. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.