Niagara swipes AHA contest from Ice Hockey
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Niagara (7-4-3, 6-2-2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
|
American Int'l (3-9-1, 2-5-0) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - "If they didn't call it hockey, they would call it goalie."
The infamous quote proved true as the American International College ice hockey team lost 2-1 to Niagara University in an Atlantic Hockey America game where the Yellow Jackets fired 58 shots on goal on Saturday, November 23.
AIC is now 3-9-1 overall and 2-5-0-0-0-1 in the AHA.
Niagara scored both of the goals in the first period in a 1:28 span, both netted by Jay Ahearn, who was set up by Glebs Prohorenkovs, despite AIC outshooting Niagara 22-10 in the frame.
The second period was much more even for both teams; a late surge of pressure meant that the Yellow Jackets outshot Niagara 14-10, but neither team scored a goal.
In the third, AIC finally broke through at 1:50. A turnover to Brett Rylance behind the net allowed him to feed Timofei Khokhlachev in the slot and he did not miss, slamming home his fifth of the year.
However, as much as AIC continued to pressure, Pierce Charleson was not beaten again, ultimately making 57 saves and earning the victory.
Peyton Granier made 20 saves in just over 40 minutes of play; Adam Manji stopped 12 third-period shots.
The teams meet again Sunday, November 24 at 3:00 p.m.