SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts American International College ice hockey senior Zackarias Skog and Niagara University junior Brian Wilson turned in mammoth performances, backing brilliant play at both ends in a 0-0 draw in an Atlantic Hockey Conference matchup on Saturday, December 14.

FAST FACTS:
SCORE:AIC 0, Niagara 0 (NIA wins shootout, 1-0)
RECORDS:AIC is now 8-8-1 and 8-4-1-0 in the AHC; Niagara is now 4-9-3 overall and 4-5-3-2 in the AHC
LOCATION:MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts

STATS:
Niagara:
Noah Delmas: Shootout winner
Brian Wilson: Tie (4-5-2), shutout, 24 saves

AIC:
Nicolas Luka: Five blocked shots
Hugo Reinhardt: Four blocked shots, 20/28 on faceoffs
Zackarias Skog: Win (8-6-0), shutout (3), 24 saves

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Much like the first game, AIC controlled the first period, but could not score; Wilson made 10 saves in the frame.
• In the second, Niagara's offense came to life, but it was Skog's turn to shine, particularly in some incredible saves on a power play where he stuffed Luke Edgerton, Ryan Naumovski, and Brandon Stanley in rapid succession early in the frame.
• Both teams had chances in the third, but once again the door was slammed shut by the netminders.
• In the five-on-five overtime, the chances were few; both teams had just two shots on goal and senior Nicolas Luka blocked two shots late to keep the game scoreless. However, with two seconds left, a major penalty was called against AIC.
• The penalty gave Niagara a 4-on-3 advantage for the balance of what would otherwise have been a 3-on-3 overtime. Facing those seemingly insurmountable odds, the Yellow Jackets penalty killers put on a clinic, holding Niagara to just two chances on target and blocking a bevy of attempts as they frustrated the Purple Eagles.
• In the shootout, Noah Delmas finally broke through to give Niagara the extra point in the AHC standings.

SHOOTOUTS AND SHUTOUTS:

• For NCAA purposes, the game counts as a tie. Both goalkeepers are credited with ties and shutouts in the game as well.
• For Skog, the clean slate is his ninth career shutout, breaking the tie with Ben Meisner '13 for the most in program history.
• The last time AIC had a scoreless tie was also against Niagara, on November 25, 2016 at the MassMutual Center; Alex Murray '18 made 28 saves in that draw.
• The game was the first time AIC had seen 3-on-3 or a shootout in program history, as this is the first year that the AHC is using the new procedure.

NEXT UP:

• The team will break for the holidays and then return to action Sunday, December 29 for an out-of-conference tilt at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine at 4 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For more updates about the AIC ice hockey team, follow@AIC_HockeyonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAmerican International College Ice HockeyonFacebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow@AICAthleticsonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Yellow JacketsonFacebook.