U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – In a heart-stopping second game of the Atlantic Hockey quarterfinals, the Niagara men's hockey team punched its ticket to the semifinal round at HarborCenter by defeating the two-time defending champion Air Force Falcons, 5-4. The Purple Eagles ensured only one team would fly back to Western New York by blocking 23 shots and having five different players contribute a goal. This will be the first semifinal appearance for the squad since the 2013-14 season.
 
Game Recap

• Several of Air Force's early shots were blocked in front before reaching Brian Wilson. In the other end, Niagara stepped in front of several passes to intercept the puck and generate shots, with Tyler Hayes' point-blank backhand giving the team its first shot on net.
• 4:42 into the game, Hayes put Niagara on top after Ben Sokay forced a turnover to the right of Air Force's net. Sokay took a shot that was denied, but Hayes was in the area to clean up the rebound and calmly pot the puck.
• Air Force responded with two quick goals to go ahead 2-1, but late in the first Niagara struck with a pair of their own to reclaim the lead. With 3:34 left on the clock, four Purple Eagles entered the offensive zone with Nick Farmer carrying the puck in. Farmer slipped it to Luke Edgerton, who then gave Chris Harpur an open look from the top of the left circle. Harpur made no mistake and ripped his shot through to tie things up.
• The Falcons were whistled for penalties twice in a 31-second span, allowing Niagara to skate 5-on-3 for nearly 90 seconds. Sokay won the faceoff and kicked the puck over to Justin Kendall, who cycled back to Ludwig Stenlund, who found Noah Delmas in space at the top of the zone. Just six seconds after the second infraction was called, Delmas powered home the puck to take advantage of the penalty and put the Purple Eagles back in front.
• With 3:13 to go before the second intermission and the game tied at 3-3, Kris Spriggs forged Niagara ahead by poking home a bouncing puck in the Air Force crease.
• 11 seconds later, Nick Farmer recovered the puck in the corner and threw it towards the front of the net. The puck made a beeline for the left skate of Air Force netminder Billy Christopolous, which was nestled up against the post. The puck was angled perfectly and slipped through a miniscule gap to bounce in and put Niagara up by two.
• Air Force struck 14 seconds into the third period, but Wilson stayed on his toes and denied the final 14 shots poured on by the Falcons in the third frame.

 
Beyond The Boxscore

• Hayes' goal was his first of the season and made him Niagara's 22nd goal scorer this year.
• Niagara was outshot 13-0 in the second period before Spriggs' goal 16:47 into the period. The Purple Eagles mustered just two shots on net in the frame, both of which wound up being goals.

 
Up Next

• Niagara's season will continue on March 22 at HarborCenter in Buffalo. The matchups and times are still to be determined, as RIT is the only other school to have punched their ticket thus far. The remaining quarterfinal series between Army-AIC and Robert Morris-Bentley are both going to a third game tomorrow. Secure your tickets by calling the Niagara University box office at 716-286-TIXX (8499) or by following this link.

 
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