Published: November 14, 2007 10:36 pm      

MEN'S HOCKEY: NU looks to push streak to legendary heights

LEWISTON — Hollywood loves a happy ending. Dark movies with twisted finales are often tweaked after test screenings.

But those audiences wouldn’t have a problem with Niagara University men’s hockey season tickets. The Purple Eagles haven’t lost a home game since Feb. 11, 2006, dating back to a 6-2 loss to Air Force.

That’s a stretch of 20 games, the longest in the nation, and the seventh longest in history, according to NCAA records.

With a win over Sacred Heart at Dwyer Arena on Friday, the Purple Eagles’ mark would become the longest in the last 23 years. Minnesota had a 20-game unbeaten streak in 2004.

“We really don’t talk about it, but that’s definitely something,” Niagara goalie Juliano Pagliero said. “Everybody would like to have their fingertips on some type of record, but as of right now, nobody really thinks about anything but the next game.”

Greg Gardner, who now serves as the team’s goalie coach and was a player at NU from 1996 to 2000, said the team’s tenacity and ability to stay focused has helped the streak evolve.

“It’s extremely difficult because there are so many factors that come into play. For our guys to continue the streak night after night shows the mental toughness and the desire to win, and some good puck luck at home,” Gardner said. “It’s been an incredible ride as a coach to watch this. The guys just love playing at home in front of the home crowd.”

And while the Purple Eagles play in front of boisterous crowds, they’re not at the level of, say, the University of Wisconsin, which plays its home games at the 15,000-seat Kohl Center.

Still, Pagliero said something special is brewing at Dwyer, between the recent renovations and the unbeaten streak.

“I had summer classes and watched it every day. This school is transitioning. As much as the conference situation is up in up in the air, I think we’re really pushing up and earning some respect here at Niagara,” he said.

“The streak didn’t get looked at too much last year. People are turning their heads a little now and saying, who is this team and why are they so tough to play at home. We’re still establishing ourselves. And this is a good way to kick in the door a little bit.”

The streak has had a couple close calls, including ties against Robert Morris and Bemidji State last season. But the Purple Eagles have also beat some top competition along the way. Last year, NU swept then-ranked Quinnipiac. This year, Dave Burkholder’s team opened with Central Collegiate Hockey Association foes Bowling Green — whose only other loss in seven starts this season is to Notre Dame — and Western Michigan.

“I can’t say that our heart’s not in it on the road, but for some reason or another, there’s just an extra something when we play at home,” Pagliero said. “It’s really comfortable. It is a different feeling playing here than anywhere else.”

Contact Group Sports Editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.





LONGEST HOME UNBEATEN STREAKS

No. Team Dates

63 Cornell 1967-72

26 RPI 1982-84

24 Colgate 1960-64

23 Bowling Green 1977-78

22 Michigan Tech 1975-76

21 Lake S. State 1972-73

20 Niagara 2006-current

20 Minnesota 2004