Buffalo, N.Y. – Men's Hockey earned their first victory of 2026 defeating Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius 5-3 in Atlantic Hockey action at the LECOM Harbor Center.
Niagara improved to 8-15-1 overall and 5-10-1 in conference play, while the Golden Griffins fell to 13-10-2 and 8-7-1 in Atlantic Hockey play.
Niagara came out flying in the opening frame, Declan McDonnell opened the scoring just 4:40 into the contest, finishing off passes from Maxim Muranov and Mitchell Becker.
Canisius answered quickly though, just 1:14 later with Carter Patterson beating Purple Eagles netminder Mitchell Day with assists from Kash Rasmussen and Stefano Bottini.
Niagara regained the one goal advantage four minutes later when Jacob Maillet found the back of the net with Becker picking up his second assist of the game.
Aidan Litke gave the Purple Eagles a two goal lead with his first of the season with Spencer Young and Marshall Finnie adding assists.
The Golden Griffins netted a late goal from Oliver Tarr off a pass from Robert Kincaid giving the Purple Eagles a 3-2 lead heading into the second frame.
The middle frame went to the home team with the Golden Griffins scoring the lone goal of the period at the 2:36 mark to knot the game up at three. Bottino finished home passes from Luke Marshall and Rasmussen.
Niagara kept the pressure on Canisius goalkeeper Petter Wickstrom Stumer, recording nine shots but could not get one past.
In the final frame Niagara sealed their fate when Dallon Melin scored the game winner at the 9:00 minute mark. Maillet and Grayson Dietrich were credited with assists on the play.
McDonnell netted his second of the night with an empty-netter for extra measure with a breakout pass from Glebs Prohorenkovs to take down the Golden Griffins 5-3.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 37-34-6 all-time against Canisius
Day recorded his first win of the season and second of his career
The Purple Eagles outshot the Golden Griffins 32-26
Niagara won the face-off battle 33-29
Becker recorded a career-high in assists and tied a career-high in points with his two helpers
McDonnell recorded his second two-goal game of the season
Up Next
Niagara wraps up the home and home against Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius Saturday January 31 at 7 pm inside Dwyer Arena.
