Niagara rally falls short in loss to Michigan
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Niagara has been playing some decent hockey early in the season, but the Purple Eagles have made just enough mistakes to prevent them from earning victories for all their hard work.
The trend continued again on Thursday night at Yost Arena where Niagara dropped a 3-2 decision to national No. 5 Michigan.
NU failed to protect a three-goal lead in a 4-4 season-opening tie with Colgate and dropped a pair of 4-3 decisions last weekend at Clarkson and St. Lawrence.
It looked as if the Purple Eagles (0-3-1) would get blown out Thursday as the Wolverines (2-1) raced to a 3-0 lead on goals by A.J. Treais, Carl Hagelin and Robbie Czarnik in the opening 11:38.
NU made things interesting on Ryan Olidis' goal with 4:50 left in the first period. Paul Zanette's goal with 47 seconds left in the second period pulled Niagara within a goal.
The Purple Eagles outshot Michigan, 34-33, including 16-14 in the third period. Niagara failed to convert two great chances in the final minute as David Ross fanned on a one-timer in front of the UM net off a feed from Buffalo native Chris Moran. Seconds later Moran was stopped on a dangerous wraparound shot.
Niagara is now 1-6 all-time against Michigan with the lone win coming Oct. 17, 1998, via 2-1 score.
NU goalie Adam Avramenko finished with 30 saves, while Bryan Hogan turned away 32 shots.
UM almost iced the win with an empty-net goal with 31 seconds left but Ross thwarted the potential goal by lifting the stick of the Wolverines player and sweeping the puck away before it crossed the goal line.
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