Box Score

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American International College men's ice hockey team dropped a 3-2 decision with Niagara University on Friday night in an Atlantic Hockey contest at Olympia Ice Center. The Yellow Jackets drop to 4-12-1 overall and 4-9-1 in Atlantic Hockey, while the win improves the Purple Eagles record to 12-7-2 overall and 9-5-0 in conference play.

AIC got out to a 1-0 lead when freshman forward Whitney Olsen (Eagan, Minn.) buried a shot just 4:53 into the first period. Freshman forward Nick Campanale (Chester Springs, Pa.) and senior forward Greg Vatrano (East Longmeadow, Mass.) earned the assists. The yellow Jackets would take the lead into the second period.

Senior forward Paul Zanette (Nobleton, Ont.) tied the game at 1-1 when he found the back of the net off a dish from senior defenseman Ryan Annesley (Ajax, Ont.) 3:10 into the second period. The Purple Eagles then took the lead 14 minutes into the second period as Bryan Haczyk (Nutley, N.J.) netted Niagara's second goal of the night. Annesley and senior defenseman Derek Foam (Mississauga, Ont.) received the assists on Haczyk's goal.

Junior forward Michael Penny (Calgary, Alb.) knotted the game at 2-2 at 10:31 in the third period with assists from senior forward Steve Mcleod (Atikokan, Ont.) and sophomore defenseman Jeff Ceccacci (Placentia, Calif.). Niagara took the lead for good when Haczyk added his second goal of the night to make the final score 3-2 Purple Knights. Zanette earned the assist on Haczyk's goal.

Sophomore goaltender Ben Meisner (Halifax, N.S.) made 34 saves in the loss for the Yellow Jackets, while junior goalie Chris Noonan (Portage, Mich.) also turned away 34 shots in the victory for the Falcons.

Niagara outshot AIC 37-36.

AIC will return to the ice tomorrow night to take on Niagara University at 7:05 p.m. to end the Atlantic Hockey weekend series.