Niagara University, N.Y. — Declan McDonnell scored the game-winning goal in the third period Niagara men's hockey defeated Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius 3-2 Friday night at Dwyer Arena.
Canisius drew first blood just 1:16 into the game when Grant Porter beat Niagara netminder Deivs Rolovs, assisted by Walter Zacher and Rhys Chiddenton, to put the Golden Griffins up 1-0.
Niagara finally broke through late in the period, at 16:59, Nicholas Niemo tied it at 1-1 on an even-strength goal assisted by Noah Hackett and Glebs Prohorenkovs.
Canisius regained its lead at 8:27 of the second period when Killian Kiecker-Olson converted on the man advantage, burying a shot past Rolovs off assists from Hunter Andrew and FJ Buteau to make it 2-1.
Niagara answered with a power play of its own. Jacob Maillet tied the game 2-2 at 11:17, assisted by Maxim Muranov and McDonnell.
The decisive moment came at 16:43. McDonnell collected a pass from Ross Roloson and Lane Brockhoff and beat Canisius goaltender Petter Wickström Stumer for his 11th goal of the season, giving Niagara a 3-2 lead.
Canisius pulled Wickström Stumer for an extra attacker with just over two minutes remaining, Rolovs turned aside four shots on goal down the stretch to take a 3-2 victory.
Shots were 11-5 Canisius in the third, with Rolovs making 11 saves in the period alone.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 38-35-6 all-time against Canisius
Niemo scored his first goal since 1/9/26 against Sacred Heart
The Purple Eagles won the face-off battle 38-21
Niemo, Hackett, Prohorenkovs and Brockhoff all recorded a point on Senior Day
The Purple Eagles starting five consisted of all seniors with Hackett, Prohorenkovs, Ziskie, Brockhoff and Lund
Up Next
Niagara concludes the regular season against Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius Saturday at 6:00 PM at the Harbor Center.
