2016-17 Regular Season Schedule

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University hockey team unveiled its 34-game schedule for the 2016-17 regular season on Monday.
 
The Purple Eagles begin the season with five home appearances in October, including a two-game home stand against the Holy Cross Crusaders to open the regular-season slate.
 
Niagara will play 17 games at Dwyer Arena this season, highlighted by two games against Big 10 opponent Ohio State on Oct. 28 and 29. Niagara will also host two of its four contests against Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius on Jan. 31 and Feb. 17, in addition to playing the RIT Tigers on home ice on Dec. 2-3.
 
The Purple Eagles' road schedule is highlighted by a two-game trip to Penn State on Nov. 3-4. Niagara also returns to RPI and Union for the first time since 2010, facing the Engineers on Oct. 21 before concluding the road trip at Union with an Oct. 22 matchup against the Dutchmen.
 
"It is with great anticipation that we announce our new two-year scheduling alliances with Ohio State, Union College, and RPI," head coach David Burkholder said. "We also travel to Penn State for a series after a hard-fought battle on home ice last season. As always, our goal is to be atop the Atlantic Hockey standings and position ourselves for playoff success. This season's schedule is a huge test that everyone is excited to get started."
 
Before the regular season begins, Niagara will host the University of Western Ontario for a 3 p.m. exhibition matchup on Oct. 1. The Purple Eagles open the regular season on home ice during Niagara University's Alumni Weekend, hosting Holy Cross on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7:05 p.m.
 
Following road games at Mercyhurst, RPI and Union, Niagara closes out the season's opening month with its first-ever home games against the Ohio State Buckeyes. The only game between these two teams in the Western New York region took place on Oct. 31, 1998 at the Punch Imlach College Hockey Showcase, where the Purple Eagles came out on top by a score of 6-3.
 
Niagara concludes its non-conference schedule with its first trip to Pegula Ice Arena, where Niagara and Penn State play on Nov. 3- 4. The first-ever game between these two teams was a thriller at Dwyer Arena on Nov. 6, 2015, ending in a 1-1 tie.
 
The Purple Eagles host the Mercyhurst Lakers on Nov. 15 before heading to Sacred Heart for a two-game series on Nov. 18-19. On Thanksgiving Weekend, the Purple Eagles will play the American International Yellow Jackets at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.
 
The Purple Eagles host local rival RIT Tigers on Dec. 2-3 with a 7:05 p.m. start time on both nights. Niagara concludes the 2016 calendar year at Air Force, facing the Falcons Friday, Dec. 9 at 9:05 p.m. ET and Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:05 p.m. ET.
 
Niagara hosts six of its 10 contests against Atlantic Hockey opponents in January. The Purple Eagles open the month at Holy Cross Jan. 6-7, followed by a four-game home stand featuring two games against both Bentley (Jan. 13-14) and American International (Jan. 20-21).
 
The annual Battle of the Bridge returns to a four-game format for 2016-17, as Niagara opens the series at Canisius Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7:35 p.m. before hosting the Golden Griffins at Dwyer Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7:05 p.m. Between those two games, the Purple Eagles conclude their four-game season series with Mercyhurst with a home-and-home series Jan. 27-28.
 
Following a two-game road trip to Army West Point on Feb. 10-11, the Niagara-Canisius series resumes the following week. The two teams will meet at HARBORCENTER at 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 before the Battle of the Bridge concludes in Dwyer Arena at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. The regular season wraps up with Niagara hosting Robert Morris for 7:05 p.m. contests on Feb. 24-25.
 
Niagara returns nine of its top 10 scorers from the 2015-16 season, led by junior center Derian Plouffe, sophomore forward Nick Farmer, and sophomore defenseman Niko Kovachis. Senior Jackson Teichroeb and sophomores Guillaume Therien and Joe O'Brien all return in goal for the Purple Eagles. Burkholder begins his 21st season with the Niagara hockey program and 16th as the head coach.
 
Season tickets and mini-plan packages are now available. For ticket information, please contact the Niagara Ticket Office at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), tickets@purpleeagles.com or visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets. 

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