LEWISTON — While some see next year’s move to Atlantic Hockey by Robert Morris and Niagara as a regression, Colonials’ coach Derek Schooley is anything but a detractor. In fact, Schooley said after his team’s 1-0 semifinal loss to Alabama-Huntsville that he welcomes a change of scenery from the stale four-team College Hockey America that will see its final day of action today at Dwyer Arena.
RMU will meet Bemidji State in the 3 p.m. consolation game while the championship game will pit UAH and host Niagara at 7 p.m. on a game that’s being broadcast nationally on CBS College Sports.
Schooley pointed out that Friday’s game was the seventh meeting between Robert Morris and Huntsville due to the league’s 18-game regular season schedule.
“That’s unhealthy,” Schooley said. “It helps Niagara and Robert Morris going into a very good hockey league to be able to play numerous teams. Who wants to see Robert Morris play Niagara seven times, or four times here? That’s the difference.
“Our guys are sick of seeing the same teams.”
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While his teammates were out fighting for their season, senior captain Ryan Annesley was standing at the top of the Dwyer Arena concourse on Friday with his shoulder in a sling.
Annesley, a first-team All-CHA selection in 2007-08, had surgery before last season on his ailing shoulder, then returned for six games before taking a hit against RIT on Dec. 12. He recently had a second surgery last week and was told he should be on schedule to play next year if granted a medical redshirt.
Sitting out Friday’s huge 5-4 victory over Bemidji State was a tough one to stomach.
“It’s been painful to watch,” Annesley said after the second period. “I wish I could be out there with them.”
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Despite a massive advertising campaign, Friday’s semifinal against nationally ranked Bemidji wasn’t close to a sellout. The general admission seats sold well at Dwyer Arena, but the chairback seating in the middle sections were about half-filled. Still, the upset brought a raucous atmosphere.
A crowd of just under 400 was in attendance for the first game, an appropriate turnout for a matinee in a game not involving the local school.
A representative for the university said plenty of seats are available for tonight’s CHA Championship game.
•••
Chris Peluso picked a big moment to score his second career goal and first of the season for Bemidji State in the nightcap. Peluso’s picture-perfect wrist shot in the first period answered an early goal by Niagara after just 43 seconds.
For Peluso, the nephew of former NHLer Mike Peluso, the goal was his first since Nov. 10, 2007 against Alabama-Huntsville.
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
Niagara U.
MEN'S HOCKEY: Robert Morris coach has had enough of CHA
NOTEBOOK
- Niagara U.
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Niagara shuts out Canisius
Paul Zanette had a goal and assist while goaltender Chris Noonan made 29 saves to propel the Niagara University men’s hockey team to a critical 3-0 victory over Canisius at the Buffalo State College Sports Complex.
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Situation getting worse for Niagara basketball team
Niagara sank into last place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with a 51-49 loss at Manhattan, which came into the game on a 15-game losing streak Monday. And that was hardly the most ominous news to come out of the lost weekend, which also included Saturday’s setback at Saint Peter’s.
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Niagara falls hard in big game
With Calvin Murphy being honored at halftime and ESPNU showing the game nationwide, the Purple Eagles missed more than twice as many shots as they made and lost 82-65 to visiting Metro Atlantic Athletic foe Rider before a crowd of 1,275.
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A legend holds court at NU
Calvin Murphy adds to his legend in return
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Calvin Murphy excited to come back to Niagara
Murphy is passionate about showing his loyalty to Niagara because the university has done the same for him over the years.
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Niagara loses by 45 at Drexel
The Niagara men’s basketball team suffered through its most lopsided loss in over a decade on its worst offensive night in almost a century.
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Niagara making impression in Atlantic Hockey
As second semester approaches, Purple Eagles have rebounded after down year
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Purple Eagles encouraged to follow the leader
Having lost seven of eight games for just the second time in his 12 years at Niagara, coach Joe Mihalich is concerned that his roster of mostly freshmen and sophomores is not responding to the leadership being provided by his lone senior.
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Dobrich pursues his passion coaching the Purple Eagles
Luke Dobrich, 32, is in his eighth season as a men’s basketball assistant coach at Niagara, and his first as the senior member of head coach Joe Mihalich’s staff.
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Nelson’s basket lifts NU past Bowling Green
Anthony Nelson’s basket with just a second left on the shot clock proved the game’s winning play as the Purple Eagles evened their record at 2-2 with a 65-61 victory over Bowling Green on Friday.
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