GAME #
SCORE	Niagara Purple Eagles 0, Mercyhurst Lakers 1
SCORES	Niagara: n/a Mercyhurst: P. Maust (14:37)
GOALIES	Niagara: Chad Veltri (0-4-2) Mercyhurst: Kyle McClellan (2-2-0)
RECORDS	Niagara Purple Eagles (2-9-3, 1-8-3 AHA) vs. Mercyhurst Lakers (8-10-1, 7-7-1 AHA)
LOCATION	Mercyhurst Ice Center – Erie, Pa.

 
ERIE, PA- A first period goal for Mercyhurst proved to be enough as the host Lakers defeated Niagara 1-0 Friday night in Erie, Pa.
 
1st Period
• The first period came to a close with Mercyhurst ahead 1-0. The Lakers goal was scored 14:37 into the period by Paul Maust, assisted by Geoff Kitt and Austin Heidemann.
• Niagara finished the first with 13 total shots, four of which went on goal. Jared Brandt led the team with three shots on goal.
• A Mercyhurst penalty gave Niagara the lone power-play opportunity of the period. However, the Lakers were able to kill the Purple Eagle special team's chance.
 
2nd Period
• After 40-minutes of action, the score remained 1-0 in favor of the host Lakers.
• Niagara finished the period strong, putting a handful of shots on net in the final minutes of action, but failing to get the equalizer.
• Purple Eagles net-minder Chad Veltri was busy in the second period as Mercyhurst sent 18 shots toward the Purple Eagle goalie, who finished with 10 saves in the frame.
 
3rd Period
• The final 20-minutes began with a Niagara penalty kill. The Purple Eagles were a man down to start the period after a roughing at the end of the second.
• Niagara killed its second penalty of the period after an interference call, keeping the Laker led to 1-0.
• The Purple Eagles got themselves a late power-play opportunity for a chance to tie the game before the final buzzer.
• The game-tying goal failed to come about for Niagara as Mercyhurst was able to hold onto the slim margin for the shutout win.
 
 
Game Notes
• Friday marked Veltri's first start between the pipes since Dec. 18, 2020, versus Mercyhurst. The sophomore finished the game with 19 saves.
• Niagara was shutout for the first time since Feb. 15, 2020, at Sacred Heart.
• The Purple Eagles went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, improving to 41-for-50 on the season.
• Niagara held the edge in shots (48-38), shots on goal (22-20), and faceoff wins (29-28).
 
Up Next
• Niagara and Mercyhurst will square-off at Dwyer Arena tomorrow night for the second leg of a home-and-home. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
 
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