Niagara University, NY - Coming into the 2000-2001 season, many thought that with heavy losses to graduation, Niagara would fall from their perch atop the College Hockey America Conference. In fact, the Purple Eagles had a horrible start to the season winning only one game in their first four series. However, after a weekend sweep of the Chargers, Niagara has proven that several of the names may be different, but it's the same ole Eagles.
Niagara thumped UAH 4-2 and 2-0 at the Dwyer Ice Arena in New York. The shutout in game two was the second by the Eagles over the Chargers this season. Niagara beat UAH 3-0 at the Von Braun Center in November. The win also means that Niagara takes the regular season series winning three of the four meetings against the Chargers.
On Friday, Niagara scored a pair of quick first period goals to take a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes gone. Jessi Otis got the Chargers on the board with a shorthanded goal at 14:35 of the first period.
UAH tied the score on Ryan McCormack's fifth goal of the season 45 seconds into the second period. However, Niagara got two goals in the final period and goalie Rob Bonk kept the Chargers scoreless to preserve the win.
In the second game, Bonk earned his second shutout of the Chargers with 37 saves. This game was particularly frustrating for the Chargers in that they outshot Niagara 37-14 in the game. First year goalie Adam McLean had 12 saves in the game, but fell to 1-1.
The frustration came to a head late in the game as Ron Baker and Karlis Zirnis committed major penalties. Baker picked up a 2-minute penalty for roughing and a 10-minute game misconduct for charging the Eagle goalie with less than a minute left in the game.
Zirnis got hit with double majors at 19:44 in the third. He received a 10-minute misconduct and a 10-minute game misconduct. Both players will miss the Chargers' series opener on Friday at Minnesota State-Mankato.
Next Series: at Minnesota State-Mankato, Mankato, MN on December 8-9, 7:05 p.m.
