Niagara University, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles saw a 2-0 first-period lead slip away as RPI scored three unanswered goals, to earn a 3-2 victory Saturday night at Dwyer Arena.

The loss drops Niagara to 6-8-0 on the season, while Rensselaer improves to 5-11-0.

The Purple Eagles capitalized on an early power play when Spencer Young opened the scoring at 15:14, finishing off feeds from Nathan Oickle and Declan McDonnell with the extra attacker.

Just over two minutes later, McDonnell doubled the advantage netting his sixth goal of the season at 17:47, with assists credited to Maxim Muranov and Lane Brockhoff.

The Engineers managed to cut into the deficit late in the period when Filip Sitar converted on the power play with 52 seconds remaining, assisted by Luciano Wilson and Thomas Klassek, making it 2-1 heading into intermission.

RPI tied the game early when Jack Gorton found the net at 2:38, with Jackson Kyrkostas and Cole Gordon assisting on the even-strength marker.

Niagara's Marshall Finnie received a five-minute major and game misconduct at 11:10 for contact to the head, giving the Engineers an extended power play. Despite the lengthy advantage, RPI couldn't convert against Deivs Rolovs, who made several key saves to keep the game tied heading into the third.

After a scoreless opening five minutes, Sitar struck again on the power play at 6:10, taking feeds from Tyler Wallace and Wilson to give the Engineers their first lead of the night at 3-2. 

Niagara pressed desperately in the final minutes, pulling Rolovs for the extra attacker with 2:25 remaining, but couldn't solve Bruno Bruveris, who finished with 22 saves. 

Game Notes

Niagara is now 6-4-2 all-time against RPI

Niagara outshot RPI 38-25 with McDonnell leading the Purple and White with nine shots on goal

The Purple Eagles won the faceoff battle 36-35

Niagara blocked 10 shots compared to RPI's seven

Up Next

Niagara heads back to conference play heading to Bentley to face the Falcons Friday December 5 at 7 pm.