Niagara U.
MEN'S HOCKEY: Avramenko nets shutout in Niagara win
Adam Avramenko made 38 saves to earn his second career shutout as the Niagara men’s hockey team got to .500 in conference play Wednesday with a 5-0 win at Robert Morris.
The Purple Eagles (2-8-2, 1-1-1 College Hockey America) are now unbeaten in their last three starts.
“From start to finish, we rolled four lines and really got after it on the forecheck,” coach Dave Burkholder said. “We spent a lot of time at the top of their crease and guys got rewarded because of it.
“... Unfortunately, with the schedule, we win one last Wednesday, then have the weekend off. Now we win, and have the weekend off again. The guys are starving to be rewarded for their hard work.”
Avramenko, a junior who backed up Juliano Pagliero the past two seasons, got his first shutout in the same building last February.
“It feels real good to get the shutout, but I really have to give credit to my defensemen,” he said. “The defense cleared out the bad bounces and allowed me to see the puck well.
Burkholder said, “You can tell on our bench when Avy is in control of the game, it takes a lot of pressure off of our guys.”
Chris Moran opened the scoring in the first period on an assist from Ryan Olidis. Both players extended their points streaks to six games.
Olidis scored a shorthanded goal early in the second, and Moran set up Brent Vandenberg later in the period to make it 3-0.
David Ross scored on a rebound in the third and Sam Goodwin added the final goal.
- Niagara U.
-
-
Jordan, Lemmons complete Niagara recruiting class
Niagara could still add one more player to its incoming freshman class, but coach Joe Mihalich is ready to shift his recruiting focus toward future prospects, content with the five players already in the fold.
-
Canisius eliminates Niagara with 11-4 decision
For the second consecutive year, Canisius grounded the Niagara Purple Eagles’ playoff flight plan on the last day of the season, winning 11-4 before a big Senior Day crowd at Sal Maglie Stadium.
-
Wietlispach worked his way from afterthought to leader at Niagara
Heading into this week’s series with Canisius, Wietlispach was leading the team in batting average (.329), slugging percentage (.502) hits (68), home runs (eight) and stolen bases (19).
-
Niagara baseball ‘not afraid’ to finish strong
Losing its final three games and missing last year’s conference playoffs through a tiebreaker has hardened the Niagara University baseball team. So did a midseason swoon that put the Purple Eagles in a position where they may need to end the regular season on a six-game winning streak to make the postseason.
-
Stykemain, Wagner are the Purple Eagles defiant streak
Niagara coach Rob McCoy culled Defiance, Ohio (pop. 16,465) for little league teammates Cam Stykemain and Brian Wagner, two of the Purple Eagles’ steadiest performers in the outfield, at the plate, on the base paths, and in the classroom.
-
Niagara basketball gets a 'banger'
The Niagara men’s basketball team made a big addition to its 2010 recruiting class last week when it received a signed letter of intent from Joe Thomas.
-
Niagara basketball great "Boo" Ellis dies
Alex “Boo” Ellis, a standout player on the Niagara University men’s basketball team in the 1950s, died Thursday night. He was 74.
-
Niagara's Benn now playing in Portugal
Bilal Benn signed a contract last week to join Ovarense for its playoff run in Portugal’s top league. He made his debut Sunday, playing only the second half but notching six points and eight rebounds in a 74-71 win.
-
Morari comes back to strengthen Niagara pitching staff
While his back still bothers him on occasion, Daniel Morari has been able to manage the pain this season and regain his role as the top arm in the rotation for the Purple Eagles, who are 8-4 midway through MAAC play, good for third place in the standings heading into this weekend’s series against Fairfield (4-5) at Sal Maglie Stadium.
-
NU tennis teams head to NY for MAAC tourney
Both Niagara teams enter the tournament as the No. 5 seed. The men will face No. 4 Loyola at 9 a.m. Friday, while the women will face No. 5 Siena at 1:30 p.m.
- More Niagara U. Headlines
-
Jordan, Lemmons complete Niagara recruiting class
