Omaha, Neb.—The Niagara hockey team fell 2-1 in its second game of the season as they closed out the weekend series against Omaha.

First Period

The Mavericks opened the scoring at the 4:44 mark of the first period.

Just 30 seconds later the Purple Eagles responded. Noah Carlin took the puck and was at a tight angle near the bottom of the left circle. He took a wrister that went just inside the far post for the equalizer. It was Carlin's first goal of the season and second of his career. Olivier Gauthier picked up his first point of the season with an assist. Noah Hackett notched his first career point in his fifth career game.

Neither team scored in the rest of the opening period.

Niagara killed off two penalties in the opening 20 minutes.

Second Period

The second consisted of three combined power-plays and 17 shots between the two teams but neither team could find the back of the net.

The Purple Eagles generated six shots with two coming on the power-play. Niagara limited Omaha to just one shot on their power-play in the second period.

Third Period

At the 8:49 mark of the third period, Niagara faced a five minute penalty kill after a major penalty. Less than a minute into the power-play, Omaha converted to take a 2-1 lead.

While still being on the power-play, Omaha looked like they extended their lead at the 6:43 mark, but after a coaches challenge, the play was deemed offsides. Niagara still trailed 2-1.

The Purple Eagles could not even the score in the third period as Omaha skated away with the win.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara blocked 16 shots as a team while only having three of their shots blocked. Carlin and Josef Mysak both had four blocked shots in the game. Jaedon Leslie added two blocked shots.

·       Alex Murray, Lars Rodne, Shane Ott, and Gauthier each had two shots in the game.

·       Ryan Ouellette started in net for the Purple Eagles. He made 38 saves, the 38 saves is a new collegiate best for the native of Colorado Springs. His previous high was 37 and was set on Mar. 5, 2022 in his final game at Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

·       Eight of the 17 shots from the Purple Eagles were in the 'high scoring areas' surrounding the net.

·       Leslie had a team high 10 faceoff wins.

·       Cole Mickel made his collegiate debut for the Purple Eagles. Connor Mylymok made his Purple Eagle debut.

Up Next

Niagara opens the home portion of their schedule on Saturday as they host Mercyhurst at 7 PM at Dwyer Arena.

On Friday, Oct. 20, Niagara hockey will host an open skate with the players along with an autograph session for all fans at Dwyer Arena starting at 6 PM.

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