UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Looking for a repeat of its strong play in the series opener at Penn State, the Niagara men's hockey team was tripped up, 2-0, in the second game at Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday night. The Purple Eagles were within one goal for more than 40 minutes, but couldn't capitalize on five power play chances.

Game Recap

• As the game crept towards the midway point of the first period, Niagara got its first sustained pressure on Penn State when Luke Edgerton, Ben Sokay, and Noah Delmas each generated consecutive chances to make the Nittany Lions' back end sweat and force two fast saves from Oskar Autio.
• 4:20 into the second period – and just moments after Penn State's third penalty was killed off – keeping the score 1-0 in favor of the hosts, Justin Kendall nearly leveled things up when he dove to knock down a feed from Edgerton on the left wing. After a review, the Purple Eagles were not granted the goal, despite the full extension from the Niagara junior.
• After Penn State successfully killed off their fourth penalty of the game just over five minutes into the second, the Purple Eagles began to shift the momentum in their favor, generating seven shots over the next five-plus minutes to put the Nittany Lions on their heels.
• Niagara earned a 4-on-3 man-advantage with 3:24 to play in the second. The Purple Eagles took three shots but only one made it on goal before the boxes emptied.
• Down 2-0 late in the third period, Niagara pulled Brian Wilson in an attempt to spark a quick turnaround. With less than 90 seconds remaining, the Nittany Lions nearly made it 3-0, but a phenomenal recovery by the Purple Eagles' back end gave the team a counter rush that forced an athletic save by Autio.

Beyond The Boxscore

• Wilson made 42 saves in the game – including 19 in the final frame – to tie his season high.

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles head home for their first series at Dwyer Arena in 2020. Niagara welcomes Holy Cross to Monteagle Ridge for two games, on January 10-11, with Friday's puck drop set for 7:05 p.m.

 
 
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