NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Despite nearly doubling their opponents in shots on goal, the Purple Eagles hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision to the visiting University of Western Ontario Mustangs Saturday afternoon at Dwyer Arena. Niagara held a 47-24 advantage in shots on goal, and Sean King scored the team’s lone tally at the end of a crisp passing play early in the second period. The Purple Eagles went 1-for-9 on the man advantage, while holding the Mustangs scoreless on three extra-man opportunities.
Game Summary
· Final Score: Western Ontario 2, Niagara 1
· Niagara Goal Scorers: Sean King (1)
· Niagara Assists: Tanner Lomsnes (1), Noah Delmas (1)
· In Goal: Jackson Teichroeb (30:52, 1 GA, 8 SV); Guillaume Therien (28:17, 1 GA, 14 SV)
· Power Plays: Niagara – 1-for-9 (15 SH); Western Ontario – 0-for-3 (5 SH)
· Location: Dwyer Arena – Niagara Univ., N.Y.
· Attendance: 488
Game Recap
· Niagara dominated possession in the first period of the afternoon, tallying 18 shots on goal while limiting the Mustangs to just five. Larry Smith led the way with four first-period shots, while Sean King and Nicolas Carrier each registered three.
· With 46 seconds to play in the first, Western Ontario beat Jackson Teichroeb to open the scoring. The Mustangs’ Scott Teskey converted a two-on-one opportunity with a high shot over the outstretched Teichroeb.
· The Purple Eagles pushed back in the second period, and it took just 2:01 into the middle stanza to find the equalizer. On a five-on-three advantage, Noah Delmas gained the offensive zone and fed Tanner Lomsnes on the right wing. Lomsnes slipped a quick pass through the slot to a wide open Sean King, who fired one-timer straight to the back of the net.
· Niagara was held scoreless on another five-on-three opportunity approaching the midway point of the second period, and they failed to collect on a five-minute power play that stretched from late in the second into the first three minutes of the third.
· Jonathan Laser scored the game-winning goal for Western Ontario at the 9:54 mark of the third period. Laser’s sharp-angle shot from the right of the Niagara goal found its way through the five-hole of Therien.
· Niagara put four shots on goal in the closing 10 minutes of the game, including a frenetic last-second push by Nick Farmer, but could not find the tying goal.
Inside the Numbers
· Niagara’s plus-23 advantage in shots on goal was its largest since a 5-4 overtime win over American International back on Nov. 20, 2015. The Purple Eagles outshot the Yellow Jacket 56-32 in that matchup. Niagara was 4-12-3 when outshooting its opponent in 2015-16 (2-11-3 when being outshot).
· Western Ontario held a 43-35 advantage in faceoff wins in the exhibition. Nick Farmer won 10-of-20 for the Purple Eagles and TJ Sarcona won 9-of-17.
· Jackson Teichroeb made four saves in goal in both the first and second periods. Guillaume Therien entered at the 10:52 mark of the second period, making seven saves in both the second and third periods.
· Niagara held a 14-9 advantage in blocked shots. Purple Eagles freshman defender Tyler Hayes led all skaters in the game with three.
Up Next
· The Purple Eagles take on the Holy Cross Crusaders to open the 2016-17 regular season in Atlantic Hockey play. Both games on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 are slated for 7:05 p.m. starts.
