Niagara Game Notes
NU, SU Resumes Rivalry
The No. 2 Niagara Purple Eagles open the 2010 CHA Tournament against the third-seeded Syracuse Orange in a semifinal contest on Friday, March 5 at 7 p.m. from the City Sports Center in Detroit.
Eight of the nine all-time meetings between the Purple Eagles and the Orange have ended in either ties (twice) or one-goal games (six times), including NU’s 3-2 win last season in the 2009 CHA Tournament First Round.
Niagara, which was idle last week, jumped ahead of Syracuse by one point for second place two weeks ago. The Purple Eagles, who were already locked to play the Orange, kept the No. 2 seed after Syracuse was swept by top-ranked Mercyhurst last week.
Ready for Action
s The Purple Eagles open the CHA Tournament against the Syracuse Orange for the second consecutive season. Niagara defeated Syracuse 3-2 in the 2009 CHA Tournament First Round.
s Niagara finished in second place with a 7-6-3 conference record to tie its highest position since joining the CHA in the 2002-03 season. Niagara finished second during its first season in the conference. The Purple Eagles had their most CHA points (17) since joining the conference.
s Niagara completed the regular season with 12 wins for its most since the 2004-05 season.
s Niagara is 4-7 all-time in the CHA Tournament.
s Chris MacKenzie has the most wins for a first-year head coach at Niagara.
s Goalie Jenni Bauer was among 45 candidates for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award presented the USA Hockey Foundation.
Niagara and The CHA Tournament
The 2010 CHA Tournament will be hosted by Wayne State from March 4-6 at the City Sports Center Arena in Detroit. The quarterfinal will be between the host No. 4 Wayne State and No. 5 Robert Morris on Thursday at 3. The winner will advance to play No. 1 Mercyhurst on 3 p.m. in the first semifinal on Friday. Niagara plays Syracuse at 7 p.m.
Niagara is 4-7 all-time in the CHA Tournament since joining the conference in the 2002-03 season. The Purple Eagles defeated the Orange 3-2 last season for their first win in the CHA Tournament since beating Wayne State 4-3 in overtime in the semifinal on March 9, 2006.
Opponent W-L
Findlay.................................................... 1-1
Mercyhurst............................................ 0-5
Syracuse.................................................. 1-0
Wayne State........................................... 2-1
Total......................................... 4-7
A Few Second(s)
The Purple Eagles landed in second place in the CHA for the second time in program history. The previous time was Niagara’s first season in the conference in the 2002-03 season.
Niagara’s defense, anchored by junior goalie Jenni Bauer, allowed the second fewest amount of goals in the conference. Bauer’s 2.19 gaa and .918 save pct. was second in the CHA Freshman Jenna Hendrikx’s 13 goals are second among CHA freshman.
Last Time Out - February 20, 2010
PITTSBURGH - The Niagara women’s hockey team was unable to hold on to a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 defeat against the Robert Morris Colonials in its regular season finale on Saturday night.
Now on the Ice
Syracuse Orange (17-16-1)
Syracuse was swept by No. 1 Mercyhurst last weekend to conclude its regular season. The Orange are led by freshman Isabel Menard who leads the team with 34 points and 20 assists. Menard leads all CHA with 14 goals and 34 points. In net for the Orange is Lucy Schoedel, who has played in every game for Syracuse and leads the CHA in saves.
Against the Orange
All-time record vs. the Orange (3-4-2)
Niagara and Syracuse split their four meetings this season with each meeting decided by one-goal.
Niagara went 0-2-2 in its first four meetings against Syracuse in the ‘Cuse inaugural 2008-09 season.
The Purple Eagles won their first game against the Orange in the 2009 CHA Tournament First Round on March 5, 2009.
Last Meeting – February 6, 2010
Syracuse 2, Niagara 1
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - In a battle for second place in the CHA, the Niagara women’s hockey team couldn’t hold onto an early one-goal lead, dropping a 2-1 decision to the visiting Syracuse Orange on Senior Day at Dwyer Arena.