Lewiston, N.Y. – The AQ Saints men's hockey squad went across state lines tonight (Dec. 2) to take on the number 11-ranked Niagara Purple Eagles. The Saints had aims on snapping their four-game losing streak against the high-ranked ACHA side, but that would not be the case as Niagara would pick up its ninth win of the season off of a 5-2 victory.

The Saints now move to a 7-9 record and remain at 4-7 in conference play.

Niagara would be the first team to put a goal on the scoreboard just three minutes and 28 seconds into the game, beating AQ net minder Michael Allman. That goal would be the only goal scored between the two sides as a defensive battle ensued.

There would be just 21 shots on net between the two sides as the Purple Eagles would outshoot the Saints 14-7. Niagara had two separate power play chances throughout the first period, but the Saints would manage to kill off both of them.

Aquinas would immediately respond in the second period as Mitchell Hoon would find the back of the net for the first time this season. The goal that was scored just a minute and 13 seconds into the period was assisted by Dylan Rumpke and Arthur Prukhitsky.

However, Niagara would respond with a goal of its own with roughly eight minutes left on the clock to reclaim the lead. Mounting frustration for the Saints would lead to a couple more power play changes for the Purple Eagles in the dwindling minutes of the second period. NU would finally break through during its fourth power play opportunity of the night to take a 3-1 lead near the end of the second period.

Neither side had many shots on goal during the second period as Niagara would outshoot the Saints just 10-6.

The Purple Eagles would all but end the game in the third period with their fourth goal of the game at the 13:48 mark of the third period. Darren Johnson would do his best to get the Saints back into the game with an immediate response to the Niagara goal, scoring his ninth goal of the season with 12:15 left to go in the third. Gustav Ostman and Mason Stewart were credited with the helpers on the goal.

Just two minutes and one second later, the Purple Eagles would manage to score one more time to extend their lead back to three goals with the score at 5-2. That would be the final goal of the game as the number 11-ranked Niagara Purple Eagles won the first game of the two-game series.

Niagara would end the game with 37 shots on net to AQ's 22. Allman would save 32 of the 37 shots on net for a .865 save percentage.

AQ is back in action tomorrow afternoon (Dec. 3) to finish out the two-game series against Niagara. The puck is set to drop at 2:30 PM at Dwyer Ice Arena.