NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara hockey team's 2021-22 season came to close on Saturday as the No. 8 Purple Eagles (11-22-3, 10-13-3 AHA) fell to the No. 9 Bentley Falcons (14-18-2, 10-14-2 AHA), 4-1, in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey play-offs.

Game Recap
First Period

• Walker Sommer had two chances for Niagara in the first five minutes of the period, but both his attempts were saved.
• Chris Harpur and Carter Randklev each had an opportunity, but neither shot made it past the Bentley goalkeeper.
• The Falcons took a 1-0 lead over the Purple Eagles, scoring on a power play 12:24 into the period. Bentley scored again a little over one minute later to take a 2-0 lead over NU.
• Sommer answered in the 15^th minute of the period, slipping one past the Bentley goaltender to leave Niagara trailing by one, 2-1. Sommer was assisted by Jordan Wishman and Ryan Cox.
• Randklev had an opportunity to tie the score in the final few minutes of the period but the Falcons remained ahead by one, 2-1, going into the first intermission.

Second Period

• A little over two minutes into the second period, the Purple Eagles were on the power play. Cox had a strong chance, but it was saved. Christian Gorscak took a great shot, but it hit the pipe.
• Niagara was on the power play again about nine and a half minutes into the period. Shane Ott took a shot, but it was blocked.
• Ryan Naumovski, Lars Rodne and Cox all had chances in the remainder of the period but NU trailed by one, 2-1, after 40 minutes of play.

Third Period

• About one minute into the third period, the Purple Eagles were one again on the power play. Jason Pineo created an opportunity, but his shot was saved.
• The Falcons scored a little over four and a half minutes into the period to extend their lead, 3-1.
• Cox had another chanced for NU right before the media timeout, but it was saved.
• Jesse Pomeroy had an opportunity on the other side of the timeout, but it was stopped by the Bentley goaltender.
• Bentley scored again a little over 16 and a half minutes into the period to take a three-goal lead, 4-1.
• Gorscak and Jack Zielinski had the final chances of the game for NU, but the Purple Eagles were not able to overcome the Falcons and fell to Bentley, 4-1.

Eagle's Eye On

• Cox led the Purple Eagles with four shots and Sommer added three.
• Cox won 14 of 21 face-offs and the Purple Eagles had the advantage in face-offs wins altogether, winning 35 of 64.
• Chad Veltri (10-14-2) made 24 saves.

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