NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Mercyhurst College men's hockey team dropped its fourth game of the season Friday evening, falling to Niagara, 5-3, in an Atlantic Hockey Association contest at Dwyer Arena. Seniors Brandon Coccimiglio and Steve Cameron and sophomore Paul Chiasson all scored for the Lakers, who now move to 0-4-1 on the season and 0-2-0 in AHA play.

The Purple Eagles kept the Lakers winless on the season and denied head coach Rick Gotkin his 400th career victory (399-276-53) with a two-goal outburst that broke a 3-3 tie late in the game.

With less than a minute to play in the second, Niagara broke the deadlock when David Ross beat senior Ryan Zapolski with 19:19 showing on the clock. Bryan Haczyk then added the team's fifth goal of the game on the power play with 3:30 to play in the third.

Niagara outshot the Lakers 45-26 for the game, which included a 14-8 edge in the first period when both teams traded goals to end in a 1-1 tie. Chiasson put the visitors out in front thanks to a pair of passes from junior Patrick Goebel and redshirt sophomore Phil Ginand at the 15:12 mark.

After scoring just two goals in the first period, both teams combined for four of the five scored in the second during a three-minute stretch late in the frame. Coccimiglio started the frenzy and regained the lead for the Lakers when junior Derek Elliott found him after receiving a feed from freshman Taylor Holstrom at 12:34. Following back-to-back Niagara goals at 13:05 and 14:22, Mercyhurst evened the slate again, as Cameron netted his first goal of the season on a set up by Coccimiglio and Holstrom at 15:05.

Niagara generated a majority of its offense via special teams, converting 3-for-6 on the power play. Mercyhurst finished the game 0-for-4 with the extra man. Zapolski suffered the loss in goal with two even-strength goals allowed and 40 saves.

Mercyhurst continues AHA play Friday, Nov. 5 when it faces Air Force at 7:05 p.m. in Colorado Springs, Colo.