NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Trying to earn a weekend series split, the Niagara Purple Eagles fell in the final minute on Saturday night against the Canisius Golden Griffins, losing by a final score of 3-2 at Dwyer Arena. Brian Wilson made 34 saves between the pipes in the regular season finale, while Kris Spriggs and Derian Plouffe each recorded goals in the final regular season installment of the "Battle of the Bridge" series.
 
Game Summary
·       Final Score: Canisius 3, Niagara 2
·       Niagara Goal Scorers: Kris Spriggs, Derian Plouffe
·       Niagara Assists: Sam Rennaker, Sean King, Justin Kendall
·       In Goal: Brian Wilson [9-17-2] – 3 GA, 34 SV
·       Power Plays: Canisius– 0-for-3 (4 SOG); Niagara – 0-for-3 (4 SOG)
·       Records: Canisius– 17-15-2 (17-11-0 AHC); Niagara -11-20-3 (10-15-3 AHC);
·       Location: Dwyer Arena – Niagara University, NY
·       Attendance: 1,132
 
Game Recap
·       Prior to the game, five seniors (Larry Smith, James Roll, Derian Plouffe, Stanislav Dzakhov and Keegan Harper) were honored before playing in their final regular season home game at Dwyer Arena.
·       Similar to Friday night's matchup between the two teams, Canisius grabbed the first lead of the game early in the first period. Golden Griffin Matt Stiel notched his first goal of the season after just 6:11 in the first period.
·       Niagara came back quickly, scoring just 33 seconds later. Kris Spriggs delivered a shot past Canisius goaltender Daniel Urbani to tie the score, 1-1.
·       The Purple Eagles earned their first lead of the game with less than two minutes left in the opening period in a four-on-four situation with the teams earning simultaneous penalties. Justin Kendall drove to the net and Plouffe cleaned up on the rebound to put Niagara up in front, 2-1, heading into the first intermission.
·       Canisius tied the game for the second time in the game in the second period. In another four-on-four situation, Dylan McLaughlin scored to tie the game at 2-2 at the eight-minute mark.
·       The Golden Griffins looked poised to take the lead once again later in the third period when Derian Plouffe was called for a tripping penalty, giving Canisius two minutes with the man advantage. Niagara was able to hold its ground; however, earning its third straight successful penalty kill of the evening.
·       With just 3:58 to play, Canisius had a two-on-one breakaway opportunity, led by Nolan Sheeran. As Sheeran was stopped trying to gain the Canisius lead late however, Brian Wilson made a critical glove save to keep the game tied.
·       In the end, it was Canisius who was able to deliver the final punch with just 40 seconds to play in the third period. Felix Chamberland ripped a shot past Wilson to give the Golden Griffins the lead late, locking Niagara into the ninth seed of the Atlantic Hockey Tournament starting next week.
 
Inside the Numbers
·       The goal scored by Kris Spriggs in the first period marked his second goal in his last three home games for the Purple Eagles. Spriggs, who finished the regular season with four goals, accounted for nearly a third of all goals scored by sophomores on the team during the regular season.
·       Derian Plouffe closed the season with at least a point in all four contests against Canisius in the regular season. Plouffe also led the team in scoring in the regular season with 16 goals and 33 points, while finishing second on the team in assists with 18.
·       Sean King recorded his first point in his last eight games, while Sam Rennaker closes the regular season with a point in two of his last three games.
·       For the first time in his young career, freshman Justin Kendall has recorded back-to-back games with a point for the second time of the season, the first being Jan. 5 and 6 against RIT.
 
Up Next
·       The Purple Eagles will be the ninth seed in the AHA Tournament First Round and will play a best-of-three series at the AIC Yellow Jackets starting on Friday, March 2.

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