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2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

B

BC/HE

Registered User
The season has started with a deceptive 0-3-1 record. This team has the look of a spoiler in March though. The first 3 games were painful in that late goals took away possible wins. Losing in the last minute of OT to Clarkson, a last 15 second loss to St. Lawrence and a late 2 goal comeback by Colgate for a tie(only home game). Then a 3-2 loss on the road at Michigan. With a 4 team CHA and home ice for the league tournament the Purps could well earn that coveted CHA autobid if they move their game up just a notch. Anyone have any insight into the goalie situation which seems to be up in the air? Does Hare the highly recruited Freshman have any chance of getting playing time?
 
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Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

Ouch. The tough luck continues. After being blitzed by Cornell in the 3rd period the Purple Eagles came out in OT getting the first 5 shots on net. But you guessed it, Cornell's first OT shot on net goes in for another late OT loss. This team is good but just has to find a way to play a full 65 minutes. They have been capable of winning all these games but the 0-4-1 has to hurt. A couple more road games before taking on a better than expected UMass-Amherst team at home. Not an easy way to start the season but this team will be better for it as the year progresses.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

BC/HE said:
Ouch. The tough luck continues. After being blitzed by Cornell in the 3rd period the Purple Eagles came out in OT getting the first 5 shots on net. But you guessed it, Cornell's first OT shot on net goes in for another late OT loss. This team is good but just has to find a way to play a full 65 minutes. They have been capable of winning all these games but the 0-4-1 has to hurt. A couple more road games before taking on a better than expected UMass-Amherst team at home. Not an easy way to start the season but this team will be better for it as the year progresses.
Click to expand...

Avermenko has looked solid so far, and UMass usually finds a way to lose on the road, especially to weaker teams. I think the first win of the year is coming this Sunday.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

Another tough loss on the road. Although it was 4-1 there were 2 empty net goals in the last 1 1/2 minutes. Give them credit for trying even after giving the first one up. Hare played in net with 29 saves and 2 goals against. Looks like there will be some competition in the net. Every game has been tight and could have gone either way. Let's hope the squad does not get too discouraged by their lack of a win as they have not been controlled by anyone yet.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

First half was all Niagara, second was all UMass. UMass had a little bit better goaltending tonight and had some lucky goals, but very good, competitive game overall.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

agreed. i dont know why its taking them multiple periods to wake up, i was very frustrated with their control in the first period. halfway throught the second they really stepped it up and never turned back. thats the play they need all game... they wont be able to do this against lowell or othe top contenders. p.s. irwin's streak ended tonight :( id say 8 consecutive games with a goal is good for a defenseman though...niagara fought hard no doubt
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

I think you will see Avramenko in net for Niagara on Sunday and maybe Meyers for UMass. If the Purple Eagles play they way they did the first half last night the entire game, they will skate away with their first win. If they let UMass stick around and don't finish (which I hope happens) than UMass is in for a great ride home.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

Another tough loss. There is a pattern developing here that needs to be addressed. The Purple Eagles have not been trailing in any game this season by more than 1 goal with 5 minutes to play. During the 3rd period and Ot Niagara has scored only 1 goal this year and given up 13 with the vast majority of those 13 coming in the last 5 minutes of the game. Perhaps the top line is seeing too much playing time earlier in the game and exhaustion sets in. Does this indicate a lack of depth? All 3 goalies have had their good moments so at least one should be able to shine so that many late game goals has to be more than a goalie problem. I suggest that Niagara uses it's timeout just before the 5 minute mark before it is too late. Maybe a little more conditioning would help as well. In 8 games they've only trailed twice going into the third period. However as league play gets underway the good news is that without a league game the Purple Eagles are solidly in second place as both UAH and RMU have two lossses already to Bemidji.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

Seems the Purple Eagles are finally starting to put together some quality wins. They have played just two bad games all year, the first loss at Bemidji and the first game against a St. Lawrence team that had just come home from a very good showing at the Denver Cup. Many of their wins have been in convincing fashion. There will be those who say that the other team outshot them but shots don't mean a thing if you build up a 4 or 5 goal lead. Oftentimes opponents will put everything on net in desperation to try to cut the lead so those numbers can be misleading. A key component to a highly successful finish would be the return of Ryan Annesley who has been out since the RIT game 6 weeks ago. Does anyone have an update on his condition?
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

Considering their poor record due to all too many close losses the Purple Eagles are still surprisingly in control of their own destiny to finish second in the CHA with 5 games to go. It is a longshot but 4 of the 5 are at home so it is not all that impossible. Second place is important for home ice last changeup decisions and to avoid a semifinal game against Bemidji. Any of these teams could surprise Bemidji in that first game so finishing second or third is crucial as it may mean avoiding them altogether. With the tournament on their own ice it would be helpful to be considered the home team as well. Look for a rebound this weekend from only the third bad loss all year of which two of them have been in Bemidji. All the more reason to avoid them by finishing second or third.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

That OT loss to UAH had huge implications for the CHA playoffs. Instead of being in a good position to still take second it is now a difficult task for the Purple Eagles to climb into third. They need to not only sweep RMU but also for Bemidji to sweep UAH in Alabama. While quite possible it is not probable and Niagara will be resigned to being the visiting team on their home ice for at least the semifinal game.

An item that answered one of my earlier questions is that Ryan Annesley will not be back this year. He had surgery on his left shoulder and will miss the rest of the season. Annesley is eligible to apply for a medical redshirt to play next year because he only appeared in seven games this season. If that happens it will be a major boost for next season.
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

With 4 wins and an OT loss in their last 5 games Niagara is peaking at the right time. Look for a very tight game against what is considered throughout college hockey a highly favored Bemidji team. Those in the know realize that any one of the 4 teams is capable of taking the title. Niagara has lost only one game by more than a goal in more than two months. Does anyone know if the bench assignments will be reversed because of Bemidji being the home team or if Niagara will take their usual home bench shooting twice the usual way?
 
Re: 2009-2010 Niagara Purple Eagles Season Thread

Way to go, Purple Eagles. One more and on to the NCAA's. UAH and Niagara for the CHA championship.
 
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