Published: November 22, 2008 11:12 pm      

MEN'S HOCKEY: Early goal sinks Niagara's chance of sweep

LEWISTON — Those who moseyed to the second half of Niagara University’s basketball/hockey doubleheader were mighty upset if they stopped for popcorn and missed the opening face-off.

A bad bounce off the backboards ended up behind Niagara goalie Juliano Pagliero just 13 seconds in, and the Purple Eagles never full recovered, dropping a 3-1 College Hockey America rematch with Bemidji State at Dwyer Arena.

The visiting Beavers capitalized on their early fluke, while Niagara (5-6-1 overall, 1-1-0 CHA) missed a ton of early chances in falling for just the second time in seven home starts this year.

“Forget road games, I’ll take a goal 13 seconds in anywhere, anytime,” Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore joked. “But I thought we played well. Typically, we come here and get our butts kicked. This place has been good for the Purps and not so good for the Beavers.”

But not this time. Including the fortuitous bounce, the Beavers outshot Niagara 11-5 in the first period. If not for a five-minute misconduct to Ryan Cramer, who was ejected after hitting Ryan Olidis from behind just 92 seconds into the game, the Purple Eagles wouldn’t have even had that many shots.

Not that Niagara didn’t have any chances, mind you. David Ross missed an empty net after Bemidji goalie Matt Dalton misplayed a puck behind his net and Paul Zanette had a great chance while parked in front of Dalton a little later.

“We missed a bunch of open nets early in the game,” Niagara coach Dave Burkholder said. “Then (Dalton) settles in and we’re playing against a confident goalie.”

The play of the night came in the second period when Shea Walters streaked down the right side with a 2-on-1. Rather than pass, Walters moved the puck beneath a sliding Niagara defenseman, then deked out Pagliero to give the Beavers a 2-0 edge.

It was all the visitors would need.

Niagara did pop one in the third to make things interesting as Robert Martini got his first career goal on a face-off to the right of Dalton. A shot popped in the air and while Ross fought for position down low, the bouncing puck got across the goal line.

“Obviously, it’s a huge thrill,” said Martini, who Burkholder said competed well all night for Niagara. “I couldn’t see it, there was a pile of guys. Without Olidis winning the face-off and Ross crashing the net it doesn’t go in.”

But Niagara couldn’t get the equalizer, or much pressure in an ugly third period. The Purple Eagles managed just five shots in the final frame, and got outshot 25-23 on the evening.

Matt Francis put the wraps on the Bemidji win by smacking a rolling puck into an open net in the final minute.

For the visitors, who improved to 2-2-0 in the league, getting out of town with a split is something of a victory.

“I say this all the time, if you’re on the road and you get a split, you leave with a smile,” Serratore said.

Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.