By Tim Schmitt
It’s been ever-so-painful to get started, but Niagara men’s hockey coach Dave Burkholder feels his squad gaining a little momentum as it heads to meet a Quinnipiac team that’s just outside the USCHO.com national top 20 poll.
After a horrendous start in which they didn’t register a win through their first 10 games, the Purple Eagles have quietly won four of seven, including a split last week with then-No. 11 Bemidji State.
And give Burkholder’s team full marks for fortitude, Niagara bounced back from two-goal deficits both nights, winning the first 6-4 and dropping the second in a 4-3 dogfight.
“We were a little disheartened after Saturday, but I went back and after watching the tape, it was a really good hockey game,” Burkholder said. “We just need to stay headed in the right direction.”
That’ll be difficult against the Bobcats, who peaked as high as No. 4 in the polls this season, but have since fallen just outside the top 20.
But Quinnipiac is swooning, dropping six straight and registering just a single win in its last 10 games. Last weekend the Bobcats scored just three times in six periods.
“We just have to find our confidence back. There’s still a lot of hockey left,” senior captain Jean-Marc Beaudoin told the Quinnipiac Chronicle.
Add in the success the Purple Eagles have had in the past — Niagara owns a 10-2 series lead — and you can see why Burkholder is optimistic about his team’s chances.
“We’re catching them at a time when they’ve been struggling,” Burkholder said. “But it’s still going to be a great test.”
Goalie Chris Noonan has started eight straight contests, but he’ll spend the game up in the press box with assistant coach Greg Gardner talking strategy. Instead, Andrew Hare will get the nod.
Burkholder insists it’s not a demotion for Noonan, who has four of the team’s six wins in his nine starts, but thinks the sophomore can use the rest.
“He’s looked a little tired in practice,” Burkholder said. “Remember, this is a kid who didn’t play at all last year and now he’s played eight straight games. We’re giving him the night off mentally.”
Also, senior winger Egor Mironov, who was injured in Friday’s game against Bemidji, did not make the trip. Dan Weiss, Ryan Craig and Sam Goodwin are also home fighting ailments.
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
GAME NIGHT
• WHAT: Niagara (6-13-2) at Quinnipiac (13-9-1)
• WHEN: 7 p.m. Today, Sat.
• WHERE: T.D. Bank Sports Center
• RADIO: WJJL
• TV: TW-13 (Sat. only)
