Buffalo to face Niagara in the NECHL championship

In the first game of the season Niagara did what they have done all season, beat their NECHL opponent. In this case it was a 5-0 win over Binghamton.

The Purps got on the board 50 seconds in when Chamberlain took a pass from Beran and put it past the Bearcats netminder. McKown added a late goal in the first to send Niagara into the intermission up 2-0. In the waining moments of the second period Chamberlain would score his second and Niagara would go into the last period up 3-0. Before the third period was over Pietrantonio and McKown each added another goal and Dane Wakefield held on for the shutout.

A short while after Buffalo squared off with Oswego in the Nitro show. Ben "Nitro" Lantz had a hand in each UB goal. On the night he scored three goals and one assist. It was a scrappy game with both teams spending a lot of time in the box but even when facing long stints short handed UB was able to hold off the Lakers.

Buffalo jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Lantz and Mike Schalber. Oswego would couter late in the first when James Hallowell made the score 2-1 before the first intermission.

Late in the second Chris Marsack was hit with a checking from behind and game misconduct that gave Oswego a chance to tie the game. Buffalo killed the five minute penalty and shortly after Lantz to a pass from Benner to extend UB's lead.

Joe Konze from the Spectrum reminisced on twitter that the game reminded him of the blood bath played by the Sabers and Senators back in 2006. but through the physical play Nitro snagged one more late goal to put the game away.

Of all the teams in the NECHL Buffalo has been the most competitive with Niagara. Ub lost to games to the Purps by a total of three goals. In the first game UB poured on the goals in the first period to take a3-0 lead but Niagara tied with three goals in the third period and a quick strike in overtime.

In the second contest Niagara used four first period goals to to build a lead that UB could not overcome. The Bulls fought back but fell short 5-3.

for a team used to outscoring their NECHL opponents at a clip of nearly 4-1 NU could not have asked for a worse matchup. The Purps, who have already secured a spot in the nationals, will still be the favorites tomorrow but if UB is on their game they are maybe the one team in the league capable of beating the 17th ranked Niagara squad.

Puck drops at 1:00pm at the NorthTowns center.