Last year at this time, I was ensconced at Niagara University for the College Hockey America tournament at Dwyer Arena. While I would love – at least for the hockey that is going to be taking place – to be in Bemidji, Minnesota this weekend, I will be keeping tabs on the Purple Eagles via internet while I enjoy Big East and MAC basketball on television.
CHA is a hockey league that is in sad shape, having lost one team last year when Wayne State stopped sporting a men’s ice hockey team. Niagara is poised to possibly take its second tournament championship, if the Purple Eagles can sneak past host and regular season champs Bemidji State.
The definite good news on the Purple Eagles front comes in post-season awards given out to members of the men’s ice hockey team. Vince Rocco was named CHA Student-Athlete of the Year, a Niagara first. Juliano Pagliero was named CHA Player of the Year, the third time a Niagara player has earned this honor in the last four years. Read all about both honors here.
