Final Box
HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL.(1/3/2010) – Egor Mironov scored twice to lead Niagara to a 5-1 victory over Colgate in the consolation game of the Shillelagh Tournament, Sunday at the Sears Center.
The Purple Eagles, now 4-11-2 overall, finished the first and second periods in strong fashion. Niagara ended the opening period with two goals in the final 1:36 and then netted two more in the closing 4:26 of the middle frame.
After Austin Smith (Dallas, Texas) was thwarted on a break away attempt with three minutes left in the opening period, Niagara opened scoring at 18:24 as David Ross sent a slap shot top shelf over the glove of Charles Long (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) from inside the blueline.
The Purple Eagles carried a 2-0 lead into intermission. It only took Niagara nine seconds to convert a power play goal as Ryan Olidis jammed the puck into the net from in front at 19:21.
Colgate solved Niagara goalie Chris Noonan for the first and only time with an even strength score at 13:56 of the second period as Brian Day (Danvers, Mass.) led a four-man rush. The junior entered the offensive zone and ripped a shot by Noonan glove side for his 12th goal of the year.
Less than two minutes later, the Purple Eagles regained the two-goal advantage at 15:34 as Mironov connected on a one-timer from in front for his fifth goal of the season. Niagara converted on a five on three as Mironov fired in his second goal of the contest at 19:23. The Purple Eagles carried a 4-1 lead into the final period.
Niagara posted its final goal of the contest at 10:56 of the third as Marc Zanette banged in a rebound from right on the door step for his fifth of the year.
Colgate appeared to close within three at 5-2 in the final three minutes as Day shot the puck in the net, however, the goal was disallowed for some unforeseen reason.
Niagara outshot the Raiders 41-37. The Purple Eagles connected on two of five power play opportunities, while the Raiders were scoreless in four tries.
Both goalies posted 36 saves in the contest. Long saved 16 shots alone in the third period.
Colgate, 7-8-4 overall, will attempt to snap a three-game winless skid January 15 as it travels to the North Country to play St. Lawrence. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Canton.
