Men’s Ice Hockey Sweeps Niagara to Advance to AHA Semifinals

Saturday, March 7

Fairfield, Conn.

5:00 PM

Sacred Heart

21-12-3

Niagara

13-23-1

Niagara

Sacred Heart

Photo by: Emily George

Men’s Ice Hockey Sweeps Niagara to Advance to AHA Semifinals

3/7/2026 8:30:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

SHU tied a program record with 21 wins this season

By: Josh Smith

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The second-seeded Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team booked a second-straight home Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Semifinal series with a quarterfinal sweep of eighth-seeded Niagara. The Pioneers defeated the Purple Eagles, 2-1, on Saturday behind goals from sophomores Paul Minnehan and Vitaly Levyy.

Records:
SHU: 21-12-3
Niagara: 13-23-1

How It Happened
The start of tonight's game featured back-and-forth play. The first period ended up ending with a 0-0 score, as Niagara held a 12-6 lead in shots on goal.

SHU opened the scoring in the second, as Minnehan sniped the top-left corner with a rocket from the right point to make it 1-0 at 2:34.

The Purple Eagles answered just over six minutes later on the power play, which ended up send the game to the third tied at 1-1.

The third period started tense, with the first 10:44 going scoreless. The game-winning goal was sparked by a hustle play from Stephane Huard, as he pressured the Purple Eagles into a turnover before finding Jake Bongo for a shot. Bongo's attempt was turned away, but Levyy scored from the doorstep to ice the win.

Ajeet Gundarah did his best to keep SHU from trailing tonight, as he made 23 saves and allowed just the one power play goal. Gundarah has won five straight games and hasn't allowed more than two goals in any of them.

Notes

The Pioneers tied a program record by securing their 21st win of the season tonight.
SHU made the AHA semifinals for a second straight season and a fifth time in program history.
Minnehan scored his third collegiate goal.
Levyy netted his sixth goal of the season and career.
Levyy has a point in three straight games.
Gundarah won his 11th game of the season.

Up Next
Sacred Heart will await the results of the other AHA quarterfinals before finding its next opponent. Either way, SHU will play a best of three series at Martire Family Arena on Friday-Sunday, March 13-15.