SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Niagara fell to AIC, 4-3, in overtime during its Saturday afternoon contest, closing out the regular season 11-20-3 overall and 10-13-3 in AHA play.
Game Recap
First Period
• The Purple Eagles once again found themselves in an early 1-0 hole as the Yellow Jackets opened the scoring 7:41 into the first.
• The Niagara penalty kill would be tested early as the Purple Eagles were called for cross-checking.
• AIC would also get a 4-on-3 power play opportunity later in the period, but once again the Niagara penalty kill stood tall and kept the score where it was.
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Ryan Cox scored on a rebound with just under five minutes remaining in the first, tying the game at 1-1.
• AIC's second goal was challenged by Niagara, but the goal would stand after further review.
Second Period
• Niagara would get an early power play opportunity as AIC was called for tripping. The Purple Eagles would shoot the puck twice during the man-up opportunity.
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Ryan Naumovski would tie the game at 2-2 seven minutes into the second with his seventh goal of the season.
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Walker Sommer nearly made it 3-2 in favor of NU with a breakaway goal but the shot went into the chest of the AIC goalie.
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Jack DeBoer found the back of the net for his second goal of the season and Niagara's first lead of the contest.
• AIC tied the game with 48 seconds remaining in the period.
Third Period
• For the second period in a row, Niagara would get an early power play chance after AIC was called for roughing.
• The Purple and White would get multiple shots on goal, including a shot by
Carter Randklev that hit the post, but the game would remain tied as AIC killed off the penalty.
• With 7:43 gone in the third, Niagara was called for slashing, giving AIC the power play chance with the score tied, 3-3.
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Chad Veltri would make a stellar save on a Yellow Jacket breakaway, keeping the game tied.
• Niagara and AIC would remain tied as the period came to an end.
Overtime
• Niagara had two early chances in OT, but the AIC netminder would stand tall to keep the scored even.
• Halfway through OT, both teams had a pair of shots but no winner had been decided.
• AIC would score on a breakaway to end the game.
Niagara Notes
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Ryan Cox led NU with four shots as the Purple Eagles finished with 30 for the game.
• Cox also won 15 of Niagara's 34 faceoffs victories.
• Veltri finished with 32 saves, with 16 coming in the first period of play.
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Brandon Stanley finished the weekend with two points after getting an assists Saturday afternoon.
• Both teams finished 0-2 on the power play.
Up Next
• Niagara awaits the results of the remainder of the AHA schedule to determine its seeding and opponent in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament.