WALTHAM, Mass. – The Niagara men's hockey team was tripped up in their opening game at Bentley on Friday night, dropping a 3-2 overtime affair. The Purple Eagles got goals from Ryan Naumovski and Jack Billings.
 
Game Recap

• Bentley opened the scoring just 27 seconds into the game. Eight minutes later, the Falcons nearly made it 2-0, but Chad Veltri was on his toes to make the stop. A Shot from the point was blocked and got redirected cross-ice, setting up a one-timer for Bentley, but the shot didn't make it through as Veltri came across the crease to get his body in front of the puck.

Three-One getting all the way across the blue ice to make the stop!#Uncommon pic.twitter.com/CvaJAhy1PG

— Niagara Hockey (@NiagaraMHKY) February 1, 2020

• A couple of big hits by Brandon Stanley in Niagara's defensive third helped the Purple Eagles recover the puck and carry it into the Bentley zone. A frantic clear attempt by the Falcons from directly behind their own net hit Naumovski in the skate, and he planted the puck in the wide open net to tie the game 3:52 into the second.

TIE GAME! A big hit by Stanley in the Niagara end gives the Purple Eagles the puck, and they take it down ice where Naumovski pops it home!

1-1 game!#Uncommon pic.twitter.com/k5brAF7tyS

— Niagara Hockey (@NiagaraMHKY) February 1, 2020

• The Falcons answered minutes later, but with 3:24 remaining in the middle frame, the Purple Eagles managed to tie the score again. On the power play and moving into the offensive end on a full rush, Jared Brandt fed Naumovski beside the net. Naumovski made a gorgeous pass around his defender to Noah Delmas, who wristed the puck towards the net. The shot was blocked, but Billings muscled through his man to tap the puck home.

On the man advantage, Delmas has his shot blocked but Billings was right there to clean up the rebound and sweep it home!

3:24 remaining in the second, and it's a 2-2 game!#Uncommon#Uncommon pic.twitter.com/wgoW0jTXx5

— Niagara Hockey (@NiagaraMHKY) February 1, 2020

NOW THAT'S A CORNERSTONE HIT OF THE PERIOD! Good gravy, Ryan Cook!#Uncommon pic.twitter.com/CqiTwpQEJV

— Niagara Hockey (@NiagaraMHKY) February 1, 2020

 
Beyond The Boxscore

• Both Eric Cooley and Justin Kendall played in their 100th career games tonight.

At the media timeout, we want to single out two players on the ice tonight. To say they've been mainstays in the Purple and White would be an understatement. Congrats to Eric Cooley and Justin Kendall, who are playing in their 100th career games!#Uncommon | #EaglesTakeFlight pic.twitter.com/1iMoeqO3lR

— Niagara Hockey (@NiagaraMHKY) February 1, 2020

 

• Billings posted his third straight game with a goal and an assist.

 
Up Next

• Tomorrow's series finale between the same two clubs opens up at 7:05 p.m. at Bentley Arena.

 
 
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