MINNEAPOLIS – After playing through so many overtime games at the end of the 2018-19, the Niagara men's hockey team once again found itself playing past the 60th minute in its season opener at Minnesota. The Purple Eagles took 55 shot attempts during the game and stuck with the Golden Gophers from start to finish, but ultimately fell by a 3-2 margin.
 
Game Recap

• Just 64 seconds into the contest, Niagara earned its first power play after the Gophers had too many skaters on the sheet. The Purple Eagles managed six shots during the shift, including two on goal, but couldn't capitalize.
• Late in the first period, Ryan Naumovski picked up a turnover at Minnesota's blue line and put the puck over the goalie's left shoulder, but the puck bounced out and was fallen on before he could clean up the second chance opportunity.
• Niagara hit the first media timeout of the second period up 5-1 in shots, thanks to a frantic sequence that saw Minnesota turn aside four short-range shots to keep the game scoreless.
• With less than a minute to play in the middle frame, Niagara got on the board when Jack Billings broke through to make it 1-0. The tally came with 22.9 seconds left before intermission, giving Niagara the momentum heading into the locker room.
• After the Gophers turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead in a matter of minutes, Cam Cook reversed Niagara's brief misfortunes by ripping a home a long shot from the point. The puck squeaked through the goalie and into the net to level the score with 12 minutes left in the third.
• With two minutes left in regulation, Ludwig Stenlund danced his way in front of the crease but got bottled up as he tried to lift the puck over the extended legs of the goaltender.

 
Beyond The Boxscore

• For the second season opener in a row, two Niagara newcomers tallied their first goals as Purple Eagles. Last season, Jared Brandt and Stenlund struck in an overtime win against AIC. Tonight, Billings and Cook accounted for both goals, with Brandon Stanley also earning his first collegiate point.

 
Coach's Corner

• Head coach Jason Lammers: "I loved out compete. I thought we were excellent and in some ways I thought we were better than they were. […] I think our guys are disappointed right now but there's a lot of confidence and a lot of hope."

 
Up Next

• The same two teams will close out the weekend tomorrow night with another 8 p.m. puck drop at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

 
 
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