Atlantic Hockey Release

WINTHROP, Mass. - Two Niagara hockey players garnered weekly awards from the Atlantic Hockey Conference (AHC) on Tuesday following the Purple Eagles' weekend sweep of Sacred Heart on Oct. 27 and 28. Senior forward Derian Plouffe was named Travel Team USA Player of the Week for the second time this season, while freshman goaltender Brian Wilson took home Travel Team USA Goaltender of the Week accolades.

Plouffe led Niagara and tied for the conference scoring lead last week with four points (2+2) in two games. The senior had a hand in both of Niagara's game-winning goals at Sacred Heart. After Niagara fell behind 2-0 in the opening three minutes on Oct. 27, the team made it a 2-2 game heading into the third period, where Plouffe scored the game-winning goal on the power play one minute into the final period of play. The next night, Plouffe set up Eric Cooley for a shorthanded goal which gave Niagara a 3-1 lead and proved to be the eventual game-winner in a 6-2 victory. Plouffe also scored a shorthanded empty-net goal to cap the win for the Purple Eagles on Oct. 28
 
This is the second Player of the Week nod for Plouffe. He was also named Player of the Week after scoring a power-play goal and adding six shots on goal in the season opener Sept. 30 at Colgate. Plouffe, who scored eight points (4+4) in 12 games last season before missing the remainder of the year to injury, has matched that scoring output in just six games this season to lead Niagara.
 
Wilson earned his first two collegiate wins at Sacred Heart and was rewarded with Goaltender of the Week accolades on Tuesday. Wilson relieved Guillaume Therien 2:53 into Niagara's game at Sacred Heart Oct. 27 with the Purple Eagles in a 2-0 hole. He went on to stop all 13 shots he faced in the remainder of the game as the Purple Eagles came back for a 3-2 victory. The next night, Wilson earned the start in goal and turned away 24 of 26 shots, including 13 of 14 in the third period, to help Niagara to a 6-2 victory over the Pioneers. For the weekend, Wilson recorded a 2-0-0 record, a 1.02 goals-against average, and a .949 save percentage. On the season, he leads Niagara goaltenders in goals-against average (2.03) and save percentage (.915).

The Purple Eagles start a four-game home stand at Dwyer Arena this weekend with 7:05 p.m. matchups against the Bentley Falcons on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4. For ticket information, please contact the Niagara Ticket Office at (716) 286-TIXX (8499), tickets@niagara.edu or visit www.PurpleEagles.com/Tickets. 

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