Shorthanded Ice Hockey squad falls at Niagara

LEWISTON, New York - The American International College ice hockey team could not hold an early lead against Atlantic Hockey Association foe Niagara University on Friday, February 9, falling 4-2 in a game played with nearly 600 contests of NCAA experience out of the lineup with injury for the Yellow Jackets.

AIC drops to 14-14-1 overall and 10-10-1-1-1-1 in the AHA.

The home squad came out strong in the first, firing 13 shots on goal and holding AIC to three, but Alexandros Aslanidis was up to the task, turning back every one to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes.

In the second, the Yellow Jackets broke the deadlock. Austen Long stole the puck in a battle along the right-wing wall and was able to get to the netfront, where Grayson Dietrich was there to shovel home the rebound for his first collegiate goal at 6:06.

The youngsters continued to succeed, as AIC converted a power play exactly seven minutes after the team's first goal. Hunter Longhi set up Theo Angesved for a one-timer that went wide right, but Oscar Geschwind found the rebound and went back to the rookie defender, and his second shot hit the target for his first collegiate goal at 13:06. Longhi likewise earned his first NCAA point with the secondary helper.

However, the Purple Eagles roared back. A late-period shorthanded goal sent AIC to the locker room with a 2-1 lead, and two goals just 50 seconds apart in the first 2:29 of the third gave the home team the lead, which was not relinquished despite the Yellow Jackets putting 11 shots on goal in the frame against former teammate Jarrett Fiske. An empty-net goal sealed the 4-2 final.

Aslanidis made 26 saves in the setback.

The two teams close out the series on Saturday, February 10 at 5:05 p.m.