Waltham, Mass. – Men's hockey fell 3-2 Saturday night to Bentley to wrap up the weekend series.

The Purple Eagles fell to 7-9-0 overall, 4-5-0 AHA, while the Falcons improved their record to 9-6-1, 8-1-1 in conference play.

Bentley struck first shorthanded after a five minute major was assessed to the Falcons. Arlo Merritt scored at 4:16, giving Bentley a 1-0 lead.

Niagara responded less than a minute later on the power play when Spencer Young found the back of the net at 5:15 to tie the game at 1-1. 

Bentley reclaimed the lead late in the frame when Kellan Hjartarson finished off a passing sequence from David Helledy and Michael Mesic at 12:57, sending the teams to intermission with the Falcons ahead 2-1.

The Purple Eagles pulled even at 6:34 in the second period when Nathan Oickle scored his second goal of the season, assisted by Nicholas Niemo, making it 2-2.

The Falcons once again regained the lead on the power play when Jake Black buried the game-winning goal at 10:13, with Mesic picking up his second assist of the night.

The final period saw Niagara outshoot Bentley 10-4 but could not find the equalizer. 

Nicholas Bevilacqua earned the win for Bentley, stopping 26 of 28 shots. Deivs Rolovs made 20 saves on 23 shots for Niagara in the losing effort.

Game Notes

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

The Purple Eagles outshot the Falcons 28-23

Niemo recorded his first point since the season opener against St. Lawrence with his assist

The Purple and White won the face-off battle 29-21

Up Next

Niagara heads on break for two weeks before returning Wednesday December 31 for an exhibition contest against Guelph at 2 pm inside Dwyer Arena.