West Point, N.Y.—The Niagara Hockey team looked to earn a split with Army on Saturday evening in the back half of the weekend series. Niagara won their sixth road game of the season as they beat Army 4-2.
Game Recap
First Period

• The Purple Eagles dominated the first period and jumped on the Black Knights right from the start. Niagara took the early lead just 4:17 into the opening period as Casey Carreau notched his fifth goal of the season. Albin Nilsson drove up the right side and dropped it to Careeau who used a screen and went far side on the Army netminder. Christian Gorscak picked up his first assist of the season on the play as well.
• Just over 10 minutes later Jason Pineo doubled the first period lead as he banged home a second chance opportunity on the doorstep of the crease. Olivier Gauthier and Ryan Naumovski picked up assists on Pineo's fifth goal of his season.
• After the opening 20 minutes, Niagara led 2-0 and dominated the stat sheet. Niagara outshot Army 14-7 while also winning 11 of the 17 faceoffs.
• Niagara also blocked four shots with their top shot blocker Noah Carlin out of the lineup.

Second Period

• Niagara's momentum carried into the beginning of the second period as they made it a three goal lead just 3:25 into the second period. Naumovski gathered the puck in the corner and cut to the slot. The senior showed great patience as he waited out the goalie and wristed past the goalie for his second goal of year and second point of the game. Pineo and Gauthier both picked up their second points on the game on the goal.
• Just like the opening period there was another goal just over 10 minutes later. However, this time Army got on the board with a power play goal to make it 3-1.
• In the second period shots were more balanced as Army had 15 and Niagara notched 14. Army also won one more faceoff in the second period.
• After 40 minutes, Niagara held a 28-23 shots advantage while the Purple Eagles blocked another eight shots, Ethan Lund was leading the way with three blocks.

Third Period

• The third period was back and forth as Army looked to earn a comeback win. Right before the halfway mark of the period Army cut the Niagara lead to 3-2.
• Following two minutes of 4v4, Glebs Prohorenkovs scored as he came out the box to make it a 4-2 game, Naumovski and Gorscak each picked up assists on the goal.
• Niagara held off the attack of the Black Knight for the rest of the third period as Chad Veltri made seven saves in the third period.
• The Purple Eagles block five shots in the frame while limiting 'grade A' chances from Army.

Niagara Notes

• Niagara registered 37 shots on goal which is the second most in a game this season for the Purple Eagles, their most was 43 in a 3-2 win over Mercyhurst on Oct. 29.
• Naumovski had three points in the game, it is his first three point game since Feb. 4, 2022 when he had three assists against Bentley. It is just his third time having three or more points in a game. His first came against Canisius on Nov. 16, 2019 when he had five assists.
• The Purple Eagles were 4-5 on the penalty kill while allowing 10 shots while the Purple Eagles generated eight shots on their four power plays.
• Veltri turned away a total of 29 shots which is his eighth game this season in which he has made 25 or more saves. The Purple and White also blocked a total of 17 shots with Lund blocking a game high four shots. Lucas Bahn, and Jordan Wishman also blocked three shots each.
• Of the 37 Niagara shots Nilsson had eight shots which led all skaters.
• Niagara is now 6-1-0 on the road this season which is best winning road winning percentage in the country they also tied for the most road wins in the country.

Up Next

• Niagara heads back on the road for the one final series ahead of the holiday break. They head to Springfield, Mass. for a two game series with AHA rival AIC. The first game is Thursday at 5 PM before the series ends Friday at 1 PM.