SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Purple Eagles (5-11-2) split their series with No. 10 Notre Dame (13-6-0) to close out non-conference play, falling to the Fighting Irish, 5-0, on Sunday.

Game Recap
First Period

• Chris Harpur and Ryan Cox had two early opportunities for NU to open the period, but both their shots were blocked.
• The Purple Eagles continued to create chances, with Jason Pineo, Brandon Stanley, Jesse Pomeroy, Christian Gorscak and Josef Mysak all taking shots, but none found their mark.
• The Fighting Irish scored in the final minute of the period to take a 1-0 lead over the Purple Eagles.
• Chad Veltri made 10 saves for the Purple Eagles in the first period.

Second Period

• Shane Ott and Harpur had strong chances for NU in the first two minutes of the second period, but both their shots were saved by the Fighting Irish goaltender.
• Notre Dame scored a little over two minutes into the period to take a two-goal lead, 2-0, and scored a short-handed goal just over five minutes into the period to extend its lead, 3-0.
• Jake Sibell took over in goal for the Purple Eagles after the third score for the Fighting Irish.
• Notre Dame extended its lead to 4-0 after scoring on a power play 7:18 into the period.
• Ott had back-to-back chances for NU in the 12^th minute, but both shots were saved.
• Two penalties on the Fighting Irish a little over halfway through the period gave Niagara a 5-on-3 man-advantage. Pineo and Lars Rodne created scoring opportunities in that time, but neither shot got past the Notre Dame goalie.
• Mysak, Gorscak and Rodne each took one more shot in the second period, but the Fighting Irish led, 4-0, going into the second intermission.

Third Period

• Cox had an opportunity for the Purple Eagles on a power play about six minutes into the third period, but his attempt was saved.
• The Fighting Irish scored their fifth goal of the game 12:15 into the period to take a 5-0 lead over Niagara.
• In the 18^th minute of the period, Jon Hill took three consecutive shots on goal for the Purple Eagles, but all three shots were saved.
• The Fighting Irish held NU off for the remainder of the period and earned the 5-0 win.

Eagle's Eye On

• Hill led the Purple Eagles in shots with four. Ott had three shots.
• Jordan Wishman blocked a team-high three shots and NU held the advantage in blocks, 14-11.
• Veltri (5-6-1) made 13 saves in 25:03 in net.
• Sibell played 34:39 in goal and made 26 saves.

Up Next

• Niagara returns to Dwyer Arena to host Sacred Heart on Friday, Jan. 7 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 8 at 5:00 p.m.

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