WORCESTER, Mass. – The Niagara Purple Eagles got a 58-save performance from Jackson Teichroeb and a second-period tally from Stanislav Dzakhov in Saturday night’s 2-1 loss to the Holy Cross Crusaders in the eighth longest game in NCAA Division I history.
Teichroeb made 29 saves in regulation and went on to add another 30 in the extra time to finish with a career-high 58 saves on the night.
That 58th save came nearly halfway through the third overtime, but the rebound found an open Crusader by the right hash marks who was able to score Holy Cross’ first even-strength goal of the series and end the game after 111:40 were played.
“You knew it was going to take a rebound or a top of the crease play to end it,” head coach Dave Burkholder said. “They just happened to have a guy wide open where the puck bounced to. Both teams left it all out there, that is certain.”
Niagara (6-26-4) trailed heading into the second period before Stanislav Dzakhov evened the game at 1-1 exactly a minute into the frame. Lawrence Smith got the play started with a textbook two-line pass that sent TJ Sarcona and Dzakhov in on a 2-on-1 rush. Sarcona fed Dzakhov who wired wrist shot into the top corner to complete the highlight-reel play. The goal is his fourth of the season.
From there, the goaltenders and defense took over. Dzakhov’s tally was the last goal scored for the next 90:40 as the Purple Eagles and Crusaders (14-17-5) played the longest game in both Niagara and Atlantic Hockey Association history. The game took over four hours in real time.
The Crusaders were first on the board again on Saturday when they found a bouncing puck in front of the net and converted on their first power-play chance of the night five minutes into the game.
The Niagara penalty killers went 3-for-4 on the night, a tally which included killing off a 5-on-3 power-play and a penalty eight minutes into the third overtime. Dan Kolenda and Kevin Albers tied with a team-high six shots.
These teams will meet again in just over 19-hours after the final whistle of game two for the third game of the this best-of-of three opening round series.
