Waltham, Mass. – Niagara defeated Bentley 3-1 on Friday night behind two goals from Marshall Finnie in Atlantic Hockey play

The Purple Eagles improved to 7-8-0 overall and 4-4-0 in conference play, while the Falcons fall to 8-6-1 and 7-1-1 in AHA play.

The opening period belonged to the goaltenders as both teams struggled to generate quality scoring chances. Niagara goaltender Deivs Rolovs stood tall, turning aside all 13 of the Falcons shots he faced. Niagara managed just three shots on Bentley goalie Lukas Swedin in a scoreless first 20 minutes.

The Purple Eagles were assessed a five minute major penalty, while Bentley also got a penalty shot at 16:57. Ryan Mansfield's attempt was turned aside by Rolovs to keep the game scoreless.

Niagara finally broke through, capitalizing at 15:02 when Finnie scored his sixth goal of the season at even strength, assisted by Spencer Young. The first goal of the game sent Niagara to the locker room with a 1-0 lead.

The final period saw both teams trade goals. Bentley tied the game at 9:48 when Jake Black scored, with assists from Stephen Castagna and Swedin, knotting the score at 1-1.

Niagara answered quickly, regaining the lead just 83 seconds later. At 11:11, Brockhoff netted what proved to be the game-winning goal, his third of the season, with helpers from Declan McDonnell and Maxim Muranov to make it 2-1.

Finnie added an empty-net goal with 2:10 remaining, his second tally of the night and seventh of the season, with assists from Dallon Melin and Glebs Prohorenkovs to seal the 3-1 victory.

Rolovs made 37 saves on 38 shots, while Swedin stopped 16 of 18 shots for the Falcons.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 18-12-3 all-time against Bentley

The Purple Eagles recorded their first road victory of the season

Finnie recorded his second multi-goal game of the season with the first coming in the home opener against St. Lawrence

Brockhoff set a career-high in goals (3) and points (9) with his tally in the victory

Rolovs recorded his fifth 30+ save game of the season

Up Next

Niagara wraps up the weekend series with Bentley Saturday Dec. 5 at 4 pm in Waltham, Mass.