Sajevic nets game-winner in overtime for 2-1 win at Niagara

NIAGARA, N.Y. – With six minutes left in regulation, Niagara had a 1-0 lead on Air Force. However, a goal by Holt Oliphant tied the game with 5:15 left and Nick Sajevic scored the game-winner in overtime for a 2-1 win over the Purple Eagles in an Atlantic Hockey America game, Friday, Feb. 6, at Dwyer Arena in Niagara, N.Y. Air Force extended its winning streak to four games, tying as the longest of the season.

After a scoreless first period, Niagara took the early lead as Noah Hackett scored his eighth of the season at 6:56 of the second period, Air Force outshot Niagara, 14-7, in the first period and 13-8 in the second, but Niagara freshman goalie Tomas Anderson kept his net clean.

Niagara (8-17-1, 5-12-1 AHA) clung to the 1-0 lead until late in the third. Oliphant, the senior captain, ripped a slap shot top corner to tie the game with 5:16 left. Mason McCormick and Beau Janzig had the assists on Oliphant's sixth of the season. Late in the third, Air Force killed a Purple Eagle penalty that carried over into overtime.

In the 3-on-3 overtime, Sajevic split two Purple Eagles, got to the front of the net and scored his first career game-winner at 2:34 of overtime. Chris Hedden and Sam Stitz collected the assists.

Air Force (14-11-2, 10-8-1 AHA) outshot Niagara, 43-26. The 43 shots tied a season high. Each team was 0-for-4 on the power play. Dominik Wasik made 25 saves for the Falcons while Anderson made 41 for the home team.

"This game was not going in the right direction for us," head coach Frank Serratore said. "Not that we were playing horribly, but we just couldn't get any thing to go in. Niagara did a good job of protecting the good ice. Then at the 11^th hour, Holt Oliphant scores a goal. Then we found a little magic with Sajevic's goal. This time of year, teams either find a way to win close games or lose close games. Our team is finding ways to win those games. This group has great spirit and resilience and we earned those two points."

The same two teams meet in game two on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 6:05 pm ET in Niagara, N.Y.

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