Air Force Academy
TBA (Lefty McFadden Tournament)
Niagara beats Air Force, 7-3, in consolation game
10/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Hockey
Oct. 5, 2002
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Niagara's Joe Tallari and Matt Ryan each scored a hat trick to lead Niagara to a 7-3 win over Air Force in the consolation game of the inaugural Lefty McFadden Tournament at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.
Air Force fell to 0-2 on the season after losing to Miami and Niagara in the season-opening tournament. Air Force was also 0-2 last season and bounced back to go 3-3 and then finish the season 16-16-2.
Tallari got the Purple Eagles on the board first just three minutes into the game. Three minutes later, NU's Matt Ryan scored on the power play for a 2-0 lead.
Andy Berg got the Falcons on the board at the 11:45 mark with a power play goal from Scott Zwiers and Ryan Wiggins. Ryan's second goal of the game gave the Purps a 3-1 lead after one period.
Tallari's second goal of the game put Niagara up 4-1 midway through the second period, but the Falcons quickly answered. Freshman Carson Strang, who scored two goals in AFA's Blue-Silver scrimmage last week, netted his first career goal at 9:52. NU's Hannu Karru scored four minutes later for a 5-2 Niagara lead after two.
All three goals in the third period came in the final 3:30 of the game. Tallari completed his hat trick at 16:33 on the power play. Berg scored his second goal of the game from Spanky Leonard at 18:40 while Ryan's scored his third with 54 seconds remaining.
Niagara, 1-1 this season, outshot Air Force, 38-27, in the game. NU was 4-for-11 on the power play while AFA was 2-for-9. NU goaltender Jeff VanNynatten stopped 24 shots, including 11 in the third period. AFA goalie Mike Polidor stopped 31 shots.
Air Force returns home to host the University of Windsor (Canada) in an exhibition game Sunday, Oct. 13, at 12:05 p.m.
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