NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, New York - The American International College ice hockey team dropped an overtime contest to Niagara University, 4-3, on Friday, October 12 in AIC's Atlantic Hockey Conference opener.
THE BUZZ:
Final score: AIC 3, Niagara 4 (F/OT)
Records: AIC is now 0-2-0 overall and 0-1-0 to begin conference play; Niagara begins the year 1-0-0 and 1-0-0 in Atlantic Hockey.
Location: Dwyer Arena - Niagara University, New York
Winning goalie: Brian Wilson, Niagara (1-0-0).
Losing goalie: Zackarias Skog, AIC (0-1-0).
STATS LEADERS:
AIC:
Blake Christensen (two assists)
Darius Davidson (one goal)
Brennan Kapcheck (one goal)
Jared Pike (one goal)
Zackarias Skog (25 saves)
Niagara:
Ludwig Stenlund (two goals)
Dylan Mills (three assists)
Noah Delmas (one goal, one assist)
Jared Brandt (one goal)
Brian Wilson (21 saves)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- AIC got ahead early, with sophomore defenseman Brennan Kapcheck scoring off a pass from junior left wing Blake Christensen just 5:23 into the game.
- Christensen got his second assist of the contest under eight minutes later, connecting with sophomore right wing Darius Davidson to put the Yellow Jackets up 2-0 at 13:14.
- Niagara started to chip away 46 seconds later, with a goal from Jared Brandt. Ludwig Stenlund then scored to tie the game up, 2-2, by 14:59 of the first.
- Just 24 seconds into the second period, junior left wing Jared Pike notched a goal to put AIC back on top, 3-2.
- Niagara would tie the game again, however, at 16:51 of the second period off a goal from Noah Delmas.
- After a scoreless third period, the game was sent to overtime knotted at 3-3, and Stenlund scored his second goal of the game with 2:01 left to give the Purple Eagles the victory.
BUZZWORTHY:
- This is AIC's first overtime loss since February 9, 2016 - and the first time under head coach Eric Lang that the Yellow Jackets have not won or tied in an overtime contest.
- On Kapcheck's goal, sophomore defenseman Oskar Stromberg recorded his first career point with his secondary assist on the goal.
COACH'S CORNER:
- "We failed to play to our identity tonight," Lang said. "We are usually very stingy with great habits and concepts. Tonight, we circled, played the majority of the game with one hand on our stick and rink-turned on numerous occasions. I thought we cheated it defensively, and I expect us to respond in a big way tomorrow."
NEXT UP:
- AIC will look for the series split against Niagara on Saturday, October 13.
- Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m.
STAY CONNECTED:
- For more updates about the AIC ice hockey team, follow @AIC_Hockey on Twitter and Instagram, and like American International College Ice Hockey on Facebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow @AICAthletics on Twitter and Instagram, and like AIC Yellow Jackets on Facebook.
