The Niagara University men's hockey team looked like a team on a mission Saturday night. In a conference battle with the University of Alabama-Huntsville, there was no doubt who the stronger team was, as Niagara started the game out on fire and finished it on the winning end of a 5-0 score.

From the opening puck drop onward, it was clear to all that Niagara had come to play. After skating to a 2-2 tie with UAH Friday night, Niagara began Saturday's contest by playing with a high level of intensity that was absent the previous night. The Purple Eagles threw their bodies around early and often, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

"After playing a bad first period last night, we needed to come out and respond," Niagara coach Dave Burkholder said. "We played a very physical game both ways, and that's the kind of response we needed."

"It was bitter," added center Chris Moran, who finished the game with two assists, referring to the mood after Friday night's tie. "No one was happy; you never want to tie at home. Coach Burkholder just told us to put last night behind us and come out tonight and play our best game yet." UAH was unable to match Niagara's intensity, as the Purple Eagles won battles for loose pucks time after time throughout the game.

Niagara outplayed the Chargers in every area of the game, especially in the offensive category. The Purple Eagles tormented UAH goalies throughout the night, firing 31 shots, including 14 in the first period. Niagara's high octane offense was too much for UAH goalie Blake MacNicol, who was pulled with 13:44 left in the third period after making 20 saves and letting in four goals.

Niagara displayed a total team effort Saturday night, with 12 players registering at least one point. RW Kyle Rogers started the offensive showcase 9:15 into the first period after receiving a Vince Rocco pass and blasting in a one-timer, his ninth goal of the season. The Purple Eagles started the second period a little flat with an early interference penalty, but were able to hold off a strong UAH power play effort and resume control of the game. Shortly after the penalty kill, Niagara's Ryan Olidis was able to gain control of a loose puck in front of the net and put it past MacNicol. Just over a minute and a half later, Defenseman Ryan Annesley took a cross ice pass from LW Paul Zanette and tapped it in, upping the Niagara lead to 3-0.

The evenly distributed offensive output was a new experience for the Purple Eagles, who often rely on senior captain and leading goal scorer Matt Caruana, who was held without a point tonight, to put the puck in the net. Burkholder welcomes the balance.

"It was good for team spirit and unity," Burkholder said of his team's offensive balance. "Guys like Ryan Annesley, Paul Zenette, Cliff Ketchen, and Ryan Olidis - to have them in the mix was great. It was just one of those nights where everyone was solid."

Zanette gave Niagara a 4-0 lead in the third period after getting his own rebound off a shot that corralled off the goal post. Niagara added to its lead when Egor Mironov took a David Ross pass and scored a power play goal, his eighth of the season. Niagara goaltender Juliano Pagliero finished the night with 21 saves and collected his third shutout of the season, improving his record to 12-5-3.