NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. — Max Dorrington's third-period goal proved to be the difference as Sacred Heart dealt Niagara a 3-2 defeat in Atlantic Hockey action Friday night at Dwyer Arena.
 
How it Happened
The Purple Eagles (14-11-3, 12-6-2 AHA) jumped ahead in the first period with back-to-back goals from Kyler Kleven and Grayson Dietrich to take a 2-1 lead, but couldn't maintain the advantage against the Pioneers' steady comeback.
 
Sacred Heart (16-9-4, 13-6-2 AHA) erased the deficit with Cole Galata's game-tying goal late in the second period before Dorrington netted the winner at 10:45 of the third.
 
Despite outshooting Sacred Heart 40-30, Niagara struggled to solve Pioneers goaltender Ajeet Gundarah, who finished with 38 saves. Pierce Charleson made 27 saves for the Purple Eagles.
The loss snapped Niagara's momentum in the tight Atlantic Hockey standings, where they entered the night just three points behind Sacred Heart for second place.
 
Jay Ahearn led Niagara's attack with five shots on goal, while Shane Ott and Trevor Hoskin each registered four shots in the losing effort.
 
Niagara Notes
• Niagara moves to 22-18-2 all-time against SHU.
• Ahearn and Hoskin saw their point streaks end in the loss.
• The loss snaps NU's three-game win streak.  
• The scoreless second and third periods for Niagara is the first time it went scoreless in back-to-back periods since Sunday, Nov. 24 at AIC.
 
Up Next
Niagara will close out its two-game set with the Pioneers on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. inside Dwyer Arena.