Niagara University, NY - Men's hockey's hot start was not enough, falling to Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius 4-3 in overtime Saturday night in Atlantic Hockey action at Dwyer Arena.
The Purple Eagles are now 8-16-1, 5-11-1 AHA, while the Golden Griffins improved to 14-10-2, 9-7-2 AHA.
Ross Roloson got Niagara on the board first at the 15:50 mark with Noah Hackett and Andy Reist recording assists on the play.
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Jacob Maillet quickly doubled the Purple Eagles lead a minute later, finishing off passes from Dallon Melin and Nathan Oickle.
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Niagara held a 2-0 lead heading into the second period with goaltender Mitchell Day stopping all of the Golden Griffins' 14 shots.
Spencer Young gave Niagara a three goal advantage just two minutes into the second frame scoring the Purple Eagles' first shorthanded goal from the season. Lane Brockhoff and Marshall Finnie were credited with the assists.
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Canisius cut the lead to two when Grant Porter found the back of the net on the power-play, finishing off feeds from Robert Kincaid and Walter Zacher.
Heading into the final frame Niagara held a 3-1 advantage with Day turning away 14 more Golden Griffins shots.
Zacher brought Canisius within one goal 5:12 into the third period, with FJ Buteau and Rhys Chiddenton recording assists.
The Golden Griffins knotted up the game at three at 11:15 when Kincaid beat Day off feeds from Jason Gallucci and Killian Kiecker-Olson.
The Purple Eagles had multiple chances in the third but could not solve Petter Wickstrom Stumer for the fourth time forcing the game to head to overtime.
After rushes from both teams, Porter beat Tomas Anderson who came in for relief of Day for his second of the contest after a Zacher takeaway.
Coaches Thoughts
Game Notes
Niagara is now 37-35-6 all-time against Canisius
Roloson netted his second goal in four games
The Purple Eagles blocked 19 shots compared to the Golden Griffins 12
Glebs Prohorenkovs won 11 draws to lead the Purple and White
Melin is on a three-game point streak with his assist
Maillet recorded goals in back-to-back games for the first time this season
Up Next
Niagara stays at home to take on Air Force, Friday February 6 at 6 pm inside Dwyer Arena.
