Oct. 5, 2002

DAYTON, Ohio -Both Joe Tallari and Matt Ryan recorded hat tricks as Niagara went on to a 7-3 consolation-game victory over Air Force at the Lefty McFadden Invitational on Saturday. Tallari's and Ryan's three-goal efforts are the first hat tricks in tourney history.

Niagara's Joe Tallari registered the game's first goal when he stepped out of the penalty box and received a pass from Dave Hominuk at 3:23 in the first period. Tallari finished serving his holding penalty and scored his first goal of the season on a one-on-one with the Air Force goalie. Finding Tallari wide open on the far blueline was Hominuk who accounted for the goal's only assist. The Purple Eagles tallied a power-play goal three minutes later when Matt Ryan stuffed the puck into the net at 6:36. Credited with assist's on Niagara's second goal were Nick Kormanyos and Barret Ehgoetz.

The Falcons crept back into the game when Andy Berg netted a power-play goal of his own to cut Niagara's lead to 2-1. Assisting Berg's goal were Scott Zwiers and Ryan Wiggins.

However, Niagara wasn't finished scoring in the opening period as Matt Ryan scored his second goal of the season at 17:41. Ryan scooped a rebound into the top portion of the net to give the Purple Eagles a 3-1 advantage at the end of 20 minutes.

At the beginning of the second period Niagara added another goal to its tally to take a 4-1 lead. Tallari netted the goal, his second of game, after receiving a cross-ice pass from Hannu Karru.

The Falcons, facing a three-goal deficit, scored their second goal at 9:52 in the second period to make it a 4-2 game. Freshman Carson Strang beat Niagara's goalie for his first career goal, and a power-play goal.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, Niagara worked its lead back to three, 5-2, when Karru netted his second goal of the season at 13:16. Both Bernie Sigrist and Tallari were credited with assist's on the goal.

Staked to a 5-2 lead entering the final period, goalie Jeff VanNynatten garnered his first career victory with 24 saves. VanNynatten also benefited from two more Niagara goals in the final stanza. Both Tallari and Ryan registered their third goals in the third period, becoming the first two Purple Eagles to tally hat tricks in 2002-03. Netting Air Force's final goal was Andy Berg, his first of the season.

Air Force wraps up the Lefty McFadden Invitational with an 0-2 record while Niagara takes the bronze crown after falling to Bowling Green in the first round. One member from each team will be named to the all-tournament team at the conclusion of the championship game between Bowling Green and Miami.