BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Niagara men's hockey team defeated its archrival Canisius in the second and final game of the season between the two teams. Ryan Naumovski had a hand in each goal and finished the game with five assists.
 
Game Recap

• Edgerton opened the scoring 7:19 into the first period. The forward was beside the Canisius net, in perfect position to sweep home a Brandon Stanley rebound to give Niagara the 1-0 lead.
• After Canisius leveled the score with a power play goal, the Purple Eagles went on a power play of their own. Camped in front of the Griffs' net with 6:08 remaining in the first, Eric Cooley tapped home a perfectly-placed puck from Jack Billings to make it a 2-1 game.
• Niagara upped its lead to 3-1 when Edgerton fed Stanley from below the goal line, allowing Stanley to get the puck off his stick quickly and find the back of the net.
• The Griffins clawed back to make it a 3-3 game, but Niagara went back in front on another power play strike, this time from Billings. The initial shot was saved by Canisius' Matt Ladd but was unable to cover it up. Billings found the loose rebound and lifted it over Ladd's shoulder for his second of the year.
• Looking to add to its lead, Niagara poured on the pressure coming out of the media timeout in the third period. The Purple Eagles hemmed in the Canisius skaters by cycling possession around the Griffs' defensive zone. Niagara took five shots – including two quality chances – but were unable to get into the Canisius net.
• The Golden Griffins pulled Ladd with 1:45 to play in the third to get a sixth skater on the ice. The Purple Eagles fended off several shots before Justin Kendall regained control and cradled the pick into the open goal to ice the game with 7.9 seconds remaining.

 
Beyond The Boxscore

• Niagara now has goals from 12 of its 27 skaters that have appeared in a game this season. 20 skaters have registered at least one point, and 13 have at least two.
• Niagara entered the game with two power play goals in 42 opportunities (.048). They finished the day with two power play goals in three chances.
• Niagara was able to cut into Canisius' lead in the Battle of the Bridge standings. Through the first eight events of the year, the Griffs hold a narrow 7-5 edge in the race for the Canal Cup.

 
Up Next

• The Purple Eagles open up a home-and-home with Mercyhurst in Erie, Pennsylvania on Friday night. Puck drop from Mercyhurst Ice Center is set for 7:05 p.m.

 
 
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