Fairfield, Conn. - Niagara men's hockey fell to Sacred Heart in the Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals 2-1 Saturday night.
The Purple Eagles wrapped up the season at 13-23-1, 9-17-1 AHA, while the Pioneers improved to 21-12-3, 15-8-3 AHA.
Niagara held momentum for most of the first period outshooting Sacred Heart 12-6 through the first 20 minutes. Starting netminder Deivs Rolovs turned away all six of the Pioneers shots to keep it scoreless through one.
Sacred Heart struck first just 2:34 into the second period when Paul Minnehan beat Rolovs unassisted.
The lead did not last long as Dallon Melin knotted things up for the Purple Eagles just six minutes later finishing off passes from Nathan Oickle and Spencer Young.
Rolovs turned away nine more Pioneers shots to keep the score tied at one through forty minutes. Niagara put up another nine shots, seeing one go past Sacred Heart goaltender Ajeet Gundarah.
The final frame was all Sacred Heart as they outshot the Purple Eagles 14-3 in the last 20 minutes.
The Pioneers took the lead with 10:44 remaining as Vitaly Levvy beat Rolovs on passes from Jake Bongo and Stephane Huard.
Niagara only managed one shot on goal in the final nine minutes of the game, ultimately falling 2-1.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 22-22-2 all-time against Sacred Heart
Melin scored in his second consecutive game for the first time this season
The Purple Eagles won the face-off battle 39-24
Declan McDonnell led the Purple and White with seven shots
