By Chloe Martinez
SYRACUSE, NY — The Orange split their first series of 2025 with the Purple Eagles with a 5-4 overtime loss Friday night and a statement win Sunday afternoon, 5-2.
After ending 2024 with a series loss to the University of Rhode Island, Syracuse looked to open the new year with some momentum against Niagara, who came into the series 13-2-1 and ranked 7th in the ACHA. The two teams were set to meet again after the Purple Eagles took both games in a home and home series at the beginning of October. Syracuse was defeated by a three goal margin in both contests.
To kick off the second semester two players were added to the Orange leadership group. Jack Alecia will serve as an alternate captain for the Orange on the road and Anthony Larkin will don an “A” at home. The two join the established leadership team; captain Sam Hutchinson and alternate captains Connor Chesner and Brock Alvers.
“It is such an honor and a privilege,” Larkin said, “We've had so many great, great captains in my time here like Lucas Prestamo, [Tim] Kalinowski, Mackenzie Murphy. To honestly join a club that now that I'm a part of is, honestly, so so special to me and something I'll cherish forever.”
Goaltender Chris Spano led the Orange onto the ice at Dwyer Arena with his first start of the new year.
Within the first minute of play, Niagara forward Cameron Shepheard scored, giving the Eagles the early lead. In just four minutes, Niagara struck again off a hard wrist shot by senior Quinn Schneidmiller.
Syracuse tried to keep up but a high stick from Jack Alecia earned a Niagara power play. In its last series at URI, Syracuse allowed four goals on nine penalty kill attempts, underscoring ongoing struggles on the PK this season. This evident concern continued as Charlie Belanger, the Canadian native, capitalized and scored against Spano to put Niagara up 3-0.
With less than six minutes left in the period, the Orange jumped back on the penalty kill but were able to deny the Purple Eagles any goals. Minutes later Syracuse earned a powerplay of their own and defenseman Carter Rugg took advantage. This cut the NU lead to 3-1 at the end of the first period.
As the second period unfolded Spano settled in and kept the Orange afloat by making timely saves. As a result, the Orange began to generate a comeback with a goal by Senior Max Gargurevich ending the second period trailing 3-2.
As play began in the final period, with less than half the period remaining Belanger scored another goal for the Purple Eagles on a breakaway, widening their lead. But a game that looked like it had a clear end was changed in the span of three minutes. Jack Wren potted a goal with 2:12 left in the third period to bring the Orange within one.
“Honestly, the first one was really kind of just the guys working hard. They put the puck to a good spot and then I was able to get it,” Wren said, “I know I got fired up. I think the guys got fired up too.”
Then with less than a minute left and the Syracuse net empty, Wren scored again, tying the game at 4 and bringing it to overtime.
In overtime, the Orange fought hard, but in the end, NU’s Belanger put one in the net completing the hat trick and giving the Purps a 5-4 OT win.
SU came back to Tennity Ice Pavilion Sunday morning ready to play its first home game of 2025.
Following Friday's game, the team made a change in net, opting to start AJ Finta between the pipes back at home.
This time it was the Orange who got on the board first from a goal by freshman Aiden Emery. The one-goal lead lasted mid-way through the first, until NU defensemen Seth Coulter tied it up. The game was already becoming marked by a physical style of play.
Since their first meeting, the Purple Eagles have remained a consistently strong team, but the Orange were determined to put up a tough fight. Before ending the period 1-1, both teams received penalties, heading into the second period four on four.
Brendan Duffy put the Orange back on top just 24 seconds into the second period, regaining the lead. Syracuse gained momentum as Evan Vassilovski found the back of the net just five minutes later.
But it didn’t stop there. Illinois native Brock Alvers scored helping maintain the now three-goal lead. After the goal Niagara decided to change netminders, switching sophomore Jacob Dubinsky for sophomore Brady Mcewan.
“It calls for everyone else to step up and for us to kind of widen the gap and build the lead,” Larkin said. “There was an immense pressure off our shoulders and allowed us to just keep playing the way we were playing.”
The third period began 4-1 with physicality, penalties, and powerful saves. Niagara came in strong with an early goal scored by senior Quinn Schneidmiller. However, the Purple Eagles couldn’t find the back of the net again.
After four penalties, both teams again played four-on-four, but this didn’t stop captain Sam Hutchinson from scoring his first goal since returning from injury. Both teams killed off a few more penalties, but this hard-hitting game ended with Syracuse winning with a final score of 5-2.
“It was one of those things, especially for me confidence wise, seeing Spano, the way he played [on Friday], played awesome…” Finta said, “I really think we went into these games like it's not the number seven team in the country. It's just another team we could beat.”
Syracuse will be on the road for their first conference matchup of 2025 as they travel to Delaware January 24th and 25th. Four ESCHL points are at stake.
All home games are held at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Syracuse University’s campus and are free for students and the general public. Home games are also streamed live on the SU Hockey Network.
Contact me:
X: @Chloemartinez28
Email: cmarti97@syr.edu