NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – One night after the Purple Eagles netted three power play goals, the special teams continued to churn and guided the men's hockey team to a 3-2 overtime victory over Army West Point. Niagara went 1-for-2 on power plays and also killed off three, including one just moments before the winning goal.
 
Game Recap

• Jared Brandt gave Niagara its first lead of the evening with 4:21 remaining in the opening period. On the power play, he Ryan Naumovski's pass from the corner to Jack Billings was touched off with a backhand to Brandt, who was entering the slot as the Black Knights collapsed in on the crease. The puck landed perfectly on Brandt's tape, and he swiftly buried it for the 1-0 edge.
• Army West Point scored the lone goal in the second, setting the stage for third period dramatics. Midway through, the Black Knights recovered a dump-in from the Purple Eagles and attempted to break out of their defensive zone. Ben Sokay quickly closed in on his man while forechecking, forcing a hurried pass before the senior lowered his shoulder. Cam Cook read the play to a t and intercepted the pass near the point. Cruising in on net unopposed, Cook let go a sharp wrister that went stick side on the goalie and in for a 2-1 lead.
• The Black Knights knotted things at 2-2 two minutes later, and the score remained unchanged through the end of the third. In overtime, the Purple Eagles were assessed a penalty with 2:15 gone to set them down a man. Army West Point attacked with ferocity, but the defense held and Chad Veltri made four huge saves to stymy the chance. Less than two seconds after the Purple Eagles got back to full strength, the penalty kill efforts paid off. Zac Herrmann swatted a loose puck out of the neutral zone and up ahead for Billings. Billings danced in down the right wing and lifted a shot over the left shoulder of the keeper and in for the game-winner.

 
Beyond The Boxscore

• For the second straight night, Billings had a goal and an assist. The Illinois native now has eight points (3 G, 5 A) in his last six outings.
• With 39 saves, Veltri was four shy of his career high. The freshman also earned his first career sweep, after earning his first-ever collegiate win over the Black Knights on Friday.

 
Up Next

• The Purple Eagles will travel to Bentley for two games on January 31 and February 1. At the time of writing, the Falcons sit in the seventh position in the conference standings, two points above Niagara.

 
 
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