So far this season, Niagara has been a great story. The Purple Eagles have risen from the depths of darkness in recent years and were actually ranked 20th heading into this weekend.
However, they came crashing down with a vengeance after getting swept by Canisius this weekend. After a close victory on Friday night, the Golden Griffins bludgeoned Niagara assiduously, 8-2, on Saturday evening at HarborCenter. Canisius improved to 10-4-0 and extended its lead over the second-place Purple Eagles to three points atop the Atlantic Hockey standings.
“It obviously a great game for us tonight,” said Canisius coach Trevor Large, whose club improved to 10-5-1 overall after its seventh victory out of its last eight games. “Overall effort was there from second one. Obviously there was lots offense from us tonight, and it was a great game. We played well.”
Niagara coach Jason Lammers, who has received credit in the Western New York community for turning the Niagara program around, now maybe has to wonder: Has his club’s success so far been a mirage? Or was this maybe just a bad weekend that happens once in a while to every team?
“It is not the way we wanted it to go, but the nice part is, hockey has a long memory,” said Lammers, whose team is 8-4-1 in conference play. “We get to play these guys again, and we are going to work really hard to get better, and give them a better game the next time we play them. We learned a lot about some guys on our team.
“This game hurts, it stinks. But overall, we have a lot to be brought to proud of.”
In a way, it was shame for fans hoping to see a repeat of Friday’s exciting game, which was not decided until late. These proceedings were far from that, not even close, as Canisius dominated the Purple Eagles early and often.
Grant Meyer set the tone, giving Canisius a 1-0 lead just 1:09 into the game. Just over nine minutes later, the Griffs exploded, and that was the ball game. Casey Jerry, Dylan McLaughlin and Mike Sabatini scored 5:14 apart for a 4-0 lead. McLaughlin, who scored the winner on Friday night, finished the onslaught with a goal a minute and a half later.
Niagara goaltender Brian Wilson, who has been solid this season, was yanked after McLaughlin’s first goal after allowing three goals on nine shots.
“That was a good start for us,” said McLaughlin. “The coach talked about it in the locker room. We wanted to come out hot, stay hot, and finish hot. It was definitely the start we needed, and it was exciting.”
The Purple Eagles could not have started off in a more atrocious fashion.
“I thought for whatever reason, we were a little flat,” Lammers said. “Obviously, they have great speed and make plays. Our passing tonight was not where we wanted it to be. The passing hurt us.”
With Canisius in command, 5-0, after the first period, the rest of the night was somewhat uneventful, which could be expected.
What kind of evening was it for the Purple Eagles? The one time things did go right for Niagara was when Sam Rennaker scored at 7:08 of the second period, but Canisius’ Ryan Schmelzer answered that goal just 11 seconds later.
Nick Hutchison and Jesse Pereira also scored for Canisius, which got 31 saves from Daniel Urbani. Derian Plouffe scored the other Niagara goal. In a rare occurrence, Niagara utilized all three of its goaltenders.
While Niagara limped home to Lewiston, the Griffs enjoyed their early Christmas gift.
NOTES: Niagara senior defenseman Larry Smith missed his eighth consecutive game with a broken heel. He is hoping to return after Christmas. … Niagara’s Eric Cooley, who was injured in Friday night’s loss, did not suit up. A Niagara source said he could be available for Niagara’s next game on December 29 at Ohio State. … Canisius’ David Bennett, who administered the blow that injured Cooley, was suspended by the conference for one game.
Atlantic Hockey roundup
RIT 4, at No. 9 Providence 0
Myles Powell scored two goals and Christian Short made 28 saves as RIT upset No., 9 Providence, 4-0. RIT’s penalty kill was a perfect 8-for-8 on the night.
Army 4, at No. 13 New Hampshire 3
Dominic Franco scored the game-wining goal at 6:58 of the third period and chipped in an assist, and Zach Evancho also had a goal and assist as Army upset No. 13 New Hampshire. Jared Dempsey made 37 saves.
No. 18 Penn State 7, Robert Morris 4
Denis Smirnov scored twice in the first period and added two assists, and Nate Sucese scored twice and added an assist as Penn State held off Robert Morris. Peyton Jones made 33 saves in the win.
No. 19 Union 4, Holy Cross 2
The Dutchmen spotted visiting Holy Cross a two-goal lead, but roared back for the victory. After Spencer Trapp and Scott Pooley scored in the first period for a 2-0 Crusaders’ lead, Unions’ Jack Adams and Cole Maier tied it at two in the second period.
With the score tied at two late in the third period, Ryan Scarfo scored the eventual game-winning goal at 17:44 before Ryan Walker added an insurance goal just over a minute later.
Bentley 5, at Dartmouth 1
Bentley scored three goals in the third period, including the game-winning goal on a power play at 10:05 from Kyle Schmidt, who also added two assists, as Bentley routed Dartmouth.
Yale 2, at Sacred Heart 1
Joe Snively scored two goals, including the game-winner at 15:32 of the third period, and Sam Tucker made 18 saves as Yale edged Sacred Heart.
Mercyhurst 4, American International 2
Wes Baker scored the eventual game-winning goal at 11:08 of the second period — while the Lakers were shorthanded — in a Mercyhurst victory. Joseph Duszak, who assisted on baker’s goal, later scored an empty-netter to ice the victory. Duszak had two assists in the game, while Derek Barach and Jack Riley also scored for Mercyhurst, which snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 7-7-2 this season.
Janis Jaks had a goal and two assists for the Yellow Jackets, while Blake Christensen had the other goal for AIC, which fell to 6-11-2.
