Box score
NIAGARA, N.Y. - Western Michigan's hockey team dropped a 3-1 decision to host Niagara in non-conference action at Dwyer Arena tonight. With the win, Niagara completed the sweep and extended its home unbeaten streak to 20 games, the longest current streak in the nation. Senior Jeff Pierce scored the lone goal for the Broncos, a late tally with the extra attacker to bring the Broncos within one. WMU falls to 2-2-0 overall, while Niagara improves to 4-1-0.
Early in the first period the Broncos had a chance to score the first goal of the game while shorthanded when junior Jeff LoVecchio batted a clearing pass by Niagara goaltender Juliano Pagliero out of the air, skated behind the net and tried the wrap around on the backhand, but a Niagara defender blocked it, giving Pagliero time to recover and cover up the loose puck. Shots in the first period were even 7-7 and the game remained scoreless at first intermission.
Niagara's Matt Caruana gave the Purple Eagles a 1-0 lead at 1:14 of the second with his third goal of the weekend. Bryan Haczyk earned an assist on the play, centering the puck to Caruana on the doorstep and the senior center fired into the empty net before WMU netminder Riley Gill could slide over.
NU extended its edge to 2-0 at 2:51 when Egor Mironov scored while the Purple Eagles were on the power play. The play was similar to the one that Caruana scored on, as Les Reaney centered to Mironov at the right post. The left wing took a couple of whacks at the puck and was denied by Gill before finally slipping the third try into the net. Ted Cook also garnered an assist on the play.
It would remain a 2-0 game until late in the third when Pierce scored at 19:39 with the extra attacker to bring the Broncos within one 2-1. Western Michigan scored on the faceoff, winning it back to junior Patrick Galivan, who passed to freshman Max Campbell, who in turn passed to Pierce in the slot. Pierce's initial shot was blocked by an NU defender, but the puck bounced right back to him and he sent his second attempt home.
However, Chris Moran sealed the win for the Purple Eagles six seconds later with an empty netter. Caruana earned an assist on the play.
Gill made 24 saves for Western Michigan while Pagliero stopped 25 shots to earn the win. The Purple Eagles were 1-6 with the man advantage while holding WMU scoreless in two chances.
Western Michigan opens conference play next weekend with a home-home series against the Bowling Green Falcons. The Broncos host Friday's game at 7:35 p.m. at Lawson Arena, then travel to the BGSU Ice Arena for Saturday's tilt at 7:05 p.m.
