Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Looking to win a first round playoff matchup for the second consecutive season, the Niagara Purple Eagles hockey team were thwarted by the American International College (AIC) Yellow Jackets Friday afternoon at the MassMutual Center, 4-1. Noah Delmas recorded his fourth goal of the season and Brian Wilson made 18 saves in net for the Purple Eagles, who now trail 1-0 in the best-of-three series against AIC.

Game Summary

• Final Score: American International 4, Niagara 1
• Niagara Goal Scorers: Noah Delmas
• Niagara Assists: N/A
• In Goal: Brian Wilson [9-18-2] – 3 GA, 18 SV
• Power Plays: American Invitational– 2-for-4 (2 SOG); Niagara – 0-for-4 (5 SOG)
• Records: American International– 13-18-4 (12-13-4 AHC); Niagara -11-21-3 (10-16-3 AHC);
• Location: MassMutual Center– Springfield, Mass.
• Attendance: 648

 
Game Recap

• AIC, who was playing in its first ever NCAA Division I home playoff game, had a pair of chances to take the early lead around the three-minute mark in the first period with a pair of shots from Bryant Christian and Andrew DeBrincat. Brian Wilson held his ground; however, recording two of his nine first period saves within seconds of each other to keep the game scoreless.
• The Yellow Jackets took the lead 7:16 into the opening period. After the initial shot by Ryan Polin, AIC's Darius Davidson picked up the rebound and delivered a shot to the back of the net. The Yellow Jackets went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
• Niagara created several scoring opportunities, but Yellow Jacket goaltender Stefano Durante was solid early in the game. Less than three minutes into the second period, Kris Spriggs and Keegan Harper had opportunities in front of the net to tie the game, but Durante proved to be too much of a challenge and kept the AIC lead intact. The Purple Eagles, who recorded four straight shots on goal at one point in the middle of the second period, had plenty of chances to get on the scoreboard but were unable to generate much offensively through the first 30 minutes of the game.
• After a Niko Kovachis tripping penalty gave American International a man advantage, the Yellow Jackets capitalized on the power play when Blake Christensen found Hugo Reinhardt to tip in a goal 12:07 into the second period to add to the AIC lead, 2-0. The Yellow Jackets headed into the third period leading 2-0.
• AIC went on the power play with 12:35 left in the third period. Just 11 seconds into the power play, Reinhardt tipped in his second power-play goal for the Yellow Jackets, off the initial Janis Jaks, shot for a 3-0 lead.
• With just 5:47 to go and a delayed penalty coming for AIC, Noah Delmas delivered his fourth goal of the season to put Niagara on the scoreboard, trailing by a score of 3-1.
• Niagara was unable to score on the power play. AIC added its fourth goal on an empty-netter with two minutes remaining.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Noah Delmas delivered his fourth goal of the season late in the third period for the Purple Eagles. The sophomore leads the team in assists this season with 25 and is second on the team in points with 29, trailing only Derian Plouffe (34).
• Justin Kendall, who came into the afternoon's game recording multiple shots on goal in four of his previous six games, established a new career-high in shots on goal with four, trailing only Delmas for most for Niagara in the game.
• The Purple Eagles edged the Yellow Jackets in faceoffs (30-28) and in shots on goal (36-22). Niagara also outshot American International in all three periods (15-10, 11-7, 10-5)

 
Up Next

• The Purple Eagles will play AIC again at the MassMutual Center on Saturday with puck drop scheduled once again for 1:05 p.m. Jeremy White will have play-by-play duties on the Niagara Sports Network via WLVL 1340 AM and www.PurpleEagles.com/Watch.

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for hockey updates, follow Niagara hockey on Twitter and Instagram. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.