Niagara v. Dasies -- 11/2/10

Happy Election Day everyone...time for some hockey. In a rare mid week tilt, the Purps take on the Dasies from Canisius. This cross town rivalry should be more important than it is...but I think that as each program improves, and with them now for the first time being in the same league, the rivalry is bound to strengthen.

Last night, Niagara's Power Play was again important and Paul Zanette continued to show why he;s such an integral piece to this Niagara Puzzle. The game started quickly, as Canisius took a one goal lead only a 1:21 into the first period. They would extend the lead just over three minutes later. However, Niagara jumped back into the game on the power play as Iuorio scored from Zanette, who then tied the game six minutes later to send the game to intermission 2-2.

Niagara was again on the power play approximately half way through the second when Scott Moser (Tonawanda, NY, Ken-West HS) scored a shorty to give the Dasies a 3-2 lead. However, Freshman Scott Arnold tied the game about five minutes later and the period ended in a 3-3 tie.

Niagara took a 4-3 lead at the 6 minute mark of the third on the power play, and extended that lead to 5-3 when a couple of Freshman hooked up as Ryan Rashid scored on a pass from Patrick Divjak. However, the dreaded two goal lead reared its ugly head, and Canisius would send the game to overtime with two last minute goals. First, at 19:16, on the power play and with the extra attacker out, Cory Conacher found Torrey Lindsay to get within 1. Then, at 19:43, Scott Jenks sent the game to overtime, much to the pleasure of the Dasie faithful.

Again, Niagara would spoil an excellent effort by losing a late lead. However, Paul Zanette proved his worth yet again, scoring for the second time on the night on an ugly shorthanded goal 4:24 into the extra session. Chubek records his second AHA win, and the Purps run their record to 2-3-2 (2-1-0). Meanwhile, Canisius falls to 4-3-1 (3-2-1). These two will battle again later this season at Dwyer.

THINGS WE LIKE

Freshman Scoring
Paul Zanette
Beating the Dasies

THINGS WE HATE

Giving up 2 Goal Leads
Allowing 5 Goals
Shorthanded Goals Against