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The Purple Eagles (2-6-2, 2-2-2-1 AHA) resume non-conference play with a two-game series at No. 4 Michigan (10-4-0, 5-3-0 Big Ten) Nov. 26-27. Both games will air on B1G+.
 
Last Time Out
• The Purple Eagles hosted the Army Black Knights Nov. 19-20. The teams battled to a 3-3 tie in game one with the Purple Eagles earned the bonus point in the shootout. NU fell to Army, 4-1, in game two.
• Walker Sommer scored twice in game one, including a power play goal, in game one. Jason Pineo and Mike Faulkner assisted on both his goals.
• Lars Rodhe scored his first collegiate goal in the opening game. He was assisted by Luke Edgerton and Shane Ott.
• Goaltender Chad Veltri made 34 saves in the tie.
• In game two, Mike Faulkner scored his first goal of the season, unassisted.
• Veltri made 20 saves in the second game.
 
Notes from the Nest
• The Purple Eagles played in front of fans at Dwyer Arena for the first time in 612 days when they hosted the Air Force Falcons Nov. 5-6.
• Graduate student Jack Zielinski suited up for his 100th career game against No. 8 North Dakota on Oct. 9.
• The Purple Eagles went 7-12-3 overall in 2020-21 and 3-9-3-1 in Atlantic Hockey play.
• The team advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic Hockey Tournament after a 3-2 victory over Mercyhurst in the first round and 3-2 (2OT) and 2-1 wins over Robert Morris in a three-game quarterfinals series. The Purple Eagles fell to AIC in the semifinals, 2-1.
• Josef Mysak was named to the AHA West Pod All-Rookie Team and 24 Purple Eagles were named to the AHA All-Academic Team.
• Niagara returns 18 players from last year's squad, including forwards Walker Sommer and Ryan Naumovski and goaltender Chad Veltri. Sommer led the team in scoring with eight goals and had a team-high 15 points and Naumovski had a team-best 10 assists. Veltri compiled a record of 5-7-2 and made 385 saves on the season and had a save percentage of .919.
• The Purple Eagles welcome 12 newcomers to the team, including transfers Alexandre Roy (University of Nebraska - Omaha), Albin Nilsson (Providence College), Olivier Gauthier (Alaska-Anchorage), Mike Faulkner (Hobart) and Jack DeBoer (Boston University).
• Chris Harpur was selected as Niagara's captain for the second straight season, while Jack Zielinski, Jon Hill and Walker Sommer were named alternates.
• Freshman goaltender Jake Sibell was named the AHA Preseason Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Preseason Rookie of the Year selection from NU since 2013. Sibell joins NU from the Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL. During the 2020-21 season, Sibell made 1,105 saves and had a save percentage of 95.2%. He recoded 11 shutouts and compiled a record of 43-2-1, with a 1.19 goals against average. Sibell played in 11 playoff games and went 8-2-1 with a 1.93 goals against average and a 92.9% save percentage.
• Sibell was named the NAHL Goaltender of the Year and the NAHL Most Valuable Player. He had the best save percentage and goals against average in the NAHL and set NAHL single season records in both categories. Sibell also earned the USA Hockey Junior Goalie of the Year (Doug Peterson Award) and was an NAHL All-Central Division Team and NAHL First All-Star Team selection.

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