Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara hockey team returned to Dwyer Arena on Friday night as they hosted Air Force in the first of two games on the weekend. Niagara went to overtime for the third time this season but ultimately fell 3-2 to the Falcons.

First Period

The first period was a feeling out process for both teams as there was a total of just eight shots with each team tallying four. There was just one power play in the opening period as Niagara was unable to convert on the lone power play.

Second Period

Both teams came out of the locker room firing in the second period as Niagara had 14 shots in the frame while Air Force had 10.

Niagara found themselves on the power play early in the period. 2:22 into the period Glebs Prohorenkovs won a faceoff and Jay Ahearn picked up the puck and passed it to Noah Carlin at the point. Carlin fed the puck back to Ahearn in the right faceoff circle, Ahearn fired a low shot and beat the goaltender five hole to give Niagara a 1-0 lead. It was Ahearn's third goal of the season while it was Carlin's first assist of the season, it was Prohorenkovs' second assist of the season.

Neither team scored for the rest of the period. Niagara went 1-2 on the power play in the frame while they had six shots on the man advantage.

While both teams were at even strength, Niagara outshot the Falcons 4-0 as there were four penalties in the period.

Third Period

Air Force tied the game at one just 31 seconds into the third period.

The Purple Eagles responded and took the lead back at the 9:14 mark of the period. Olivier Gauthier picked up a loose puck on an Air Force turnover and went on a two-on-one with Carter Randklev. Randklev took a pass from Gauthier and took a shot that tricked past the goalie into the crease. Gauthier stopped at the net for the tap in goal to give Niagara a 2-1 lead.

At the 15:27 mark of the frame, Air Force tied the game at one.

Neither team scored in the remaining 4:33 and the teams went to overtime.

Niagara outshot the Falcons 10-9 in the third period while also winning nine of 16 faceoffs.

Overtime

The Purple Eagles controlled play early in the overtime session and tallied one shot. The puck changed possession and Air Force held the puck in the Niagara zone and took the win at the 2:05 mark of the session.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara outshot the Falcons 29-24 in the game with six Niagara shots coming on the power play. Niagara limited Air Force to just 15 shots at even strength.

·       Ryan Ouellette started in net and made 21 saves in his fifth game of the season.

·       Ahearn extended his point streak to four games with a goal, he has six points in six games this season and 23 career points in 23 career games.

·       Randklev now has a point in four of six games this season.

·       Gauthier scored his first goal of the season and his 13th goal of his career.

·       Jaedon Leslie's success in the faceoff circle continued as he went 11-4 in the dot, he is 76-58 in the dot this season.

·       Niagara has now scored three power play goals in the last three games.

·       As a team, the Purple Eagles blocked 14 shots, Gauthier had a team high three blocks while Ahearn, Josef Mysak, Ethan Lund, and David Posma each had two blocks.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles and Falcons close out their weekend series on Saturday night at 7 PM at Dwyer Arena.

Stay connected with Niagara Hockey on X (formally Twitter) and Instagram. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and purpleeagles.com.