NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – After an offensive explosion in a 6-0 victory over Holy Cross in their last games, the Niagara Purple Eagles hockey team was held in check by the Air Force Falcons in a 4-2 loss Friday night at Dwyer Arena. Niagara was limited to just one power-play goal on nine chances, with Noah Delmas scoring his third goal of the season to make it a 3-2 game with 7:31 to play. Air Force's Kyle Haak registered an empty-net goal to seal the first game of the weekend series for the Falcons. Sean King scored his second goal in as many games for the Purple Eagles, while Eric Cooley, Tyler Hayes, Nic Mucci, and Derian Plouffe all picked up assists.
 
Game Summary

• Final Score: Air Force 4, Niagara 2
• Niagara Goal Scorers: Noah Delmas, Sean King
• Niagara Assists: Eric Cooley, Tyler Hayes, Nic Mucci, Derian Plouffe
• In Goal: Brian Wilson (9-13-2) – 3 GA, 19 SV
• Power Plays: Niagara – 1-for-9 (6 SOG); Air Force – 1-for-4 (2 SOG)
• Records: Niagara – 11-14-2 (10-9-2 AHC); Air Force – 12-11-3 (7-9-2 AHC)
• Location: Dwyer Arena – Niagara University, New York
• Attendance: 708

Game Recap

• Air Force and Niagara battled through a scoreless first period, with Brian Wilson opening the game with eight saves for the Purple Eagles. Niagara was held without a goal on three power plays, including a 30-second 5-on-3.
• Early in the second period after Air Force killed a Niagara penalty, an errant pass in the Air Force end set up a breakaway the other way for the Falcons' Evan Giesler. Wilson made the stop against Giesler, but the puck caromed off the backchecking Niagara defender and in to the net for the game's first goal.
• Air Force doubled its lead eight minutes later and took the 2-0 lead into the second intermission. Ben Kucera's shot bounced high and wide of Wilson, but the rebound was gloved down by Brady Tomlak, who poked in the loose puck.
• 8:52 into the third period, Niagara broke the shutout to make it a 2-1 game. Tyler Hayes dug a loose puck out from behind the net to Sean King, who wrapped around the goal and poked his second score in as many games past Air Force's Billy Christopoulos.
• Air Force's Walker Sommer converted on a Niagara turnover for a power-play goal with 8:11 to play, but the Purple Eagles responded with a power-play tally of their own just 40 seconds later. Derian Plouffe set up Eric Cooley for a one-time chance that Christopoulos was able to turn away, but Noah Delmas wound up with the loose puck in the slot and fired home his third goal of the year.
• Niagara pulled Wilson for the extra attacker with just inside three minutes to play, but the Falcons were able to deny the Purple Eagles a chance to tie with Kyle Haak burying the empty-net goal.

 
Coach's Corner

• Head coach Jason Lammers: "I thought Air Force played a game that was a good road game, they just kind of outlasted us and obviously killed a lot of PK situations. I was really impressed with our guys with the way they continue to grow in our belief in each other and belief in the system and the steps that we've taken."

 
Inside the Numbers

• Sean King scored his sixth goal of the season to open the Niagara scoring; he has two goals in three games since returning from an eight-game absence due to injury.
• Noah Delmas and Derian Plouffe each picked up one point on the power play, and they are tied for the Atlantic Hockey conference lead in power-play points at 13.
• Niagara's nine power-play chances were the team's most in one game this season, but the Purple Eagles were held to just six shots on goal on those advantages.
• The Purple Eagles led the Falcons in shots on goal (28-23) and faceoffs (41-32) in the loss.

 
Up Next

• Niagara and Air Force close out the weekend series back at Dwyer Arena on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:05 p.m. Paul Hamilton has the play-by-play call on WLVL 1340 AM.

 
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