Playoff Preview

It has been an exciting month and a half for the Niagara University ACHA Purple Eagles. The team went on a 10-1 stretch to complete the regular season. In the second semester of player the Purple Eagles new-comers proved their worth and then some. This coupled with exceptional play from the veterans of the team led the squad to a program tying record of ten straight victories.

Freshman defenseman Patrick Martin (Long Island Royal MJHL Jr. B) and frosh netminder Dane Wakefield (New York Saints MJHL Jr. B) were true freshman who contributed mightily to the Eagles success. Dane Wakefield broke the program record for most consecutive wins during the Eagles stretch.

Throughout the season several key rookies such as Joe Baldinelli (Niagara Falls Canucks GOHL Jr. B) and Marc Deguilio (Wheatfield Blades GOHL Jr. B) were keys to Purps offensive out put both in the second semester and throughout the entire season. The two rookies accounts for 48 and 26 points respectively.

Above all else, key veteran leadership stepped to forefront to lead the way for Niagara. Seniors Nick Goallher (Rochester Americans 18U AAA) and Sean Carmack (St. Catharines Falcons GOHL Jr. B) ended their regular seasons careers much the way they started them. The potent scoring combination often was a great one two punch for the Eagles.

Playing much the role of “unsung hero” Joe Finelli (Hamilton Jr Bulldogs) finished the season fifth overall in scoring with a career high 27 points.

Sophomore Trevor Kenney (Dixie Beehives OPJHL Jr. A), the youngest team captain in team history, finished with 31 points.

The offensive prowess of the Purple Eagles throughout the season was never in doubt. The team will look to continue their output as NU prepares for the ECHL playoffs.

However, to win championships the key ingredient is defense and goaltending. Early on in the season the NU blue line core battled through some adversity and mental mistakes. However, as the season progressed the group kept battling and growing into a pretty solid unit.. Junior Captain Patrick Roth (Long Island Gulls) and senior Kevin Zola (Batavia High School) were stalwarts on the blue line. The Eagles were with out offensive threat Kevin Morrison (Suffolk PAL MJHL Jr. B) for several weekends of the second semester due to injury. Patrick Martin, Dan Fitzgerald (Paris Mounties GOHL) , Drew Mencer ( Buffalo Stars CHA), James LeAir (West Seneca Wings 18U AAA) and Sam Cucinotta (Ken West) all stepped in to log valuable minutes for Niagara to fill the void.

The unsung hero of this group belongs to Patrick Martin. Martin who at the start of the season was battling for ice time, finished the season playing in every game and contributing smart defensive play.

For Niagara, the biggest question mark coming into the season was who would stand up in the nets. During the second semester Dane Wakefield rose to the challenge and played quite well. The freshman netminder has started every game since the start of the semester and has asserted himself as the Purple Eagles number one goalie.

Niagara will look towards their veteran leadership as playoff weekend approaches. Veterans like Jeff Osler (Brockville, ONT), Mike Playfair (Buffalo Jr. Sabres OPJHL Jr. A), and Sean Carmack are among three Seniors who know what it takes to win at every level they have played at.

As the Eagles prepare for next weekends ECHL playoffs in Rochester, NY, their first round opponent will be Mercyhurst College. During regular season play Niagara split with Mercyhurst, each team winning their game at home. Mercyhurst is among the teams biggest rivals in the ECHL. Niagara’s foe for Friday  play a very disciplined and physical brand of hockey. During the past two meetings Mercyhurst used a trap in hopes of stopping Niagara’s speed. The key for Niagara victory will be patience and to capitalize on any mistakes. Mercyhurst plays a stingy defense and makes it very difficult for opponents to get quality scoring chances.

NU enters the playoffs having beaten every potential opponent at least once. The only team the Purps have lost twice two was Canton. Canton swept Niagara on their visit to upstate New York back in November. Both games were over time victories for the opposition.

The Purple Eagles quest for an ECHL title will begin Friday evening at 8:30pm at Genesse Valley Ice Rink in Rochester, NY.