Niagara Gazette
Nov. 10, 2006
by Vince McConeghy/USCHO Arena Reporter
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Allen Barton is no longer Niagara's forgotten man.
The senior goalie who, for long stretches of his career has been a healthy scratch, backstopped the Purple Eagles in a 6-3 triumph over visiting Alabama Huntsville.
Barton protected Niagara's lead throughout the game, making crucial stops when called upon, and hung tough after taking two stingers to his left shoulder in the first and third periods.
"Boy, it's been a long time since I've been asked to do this," a grinning Barton said upon entrance to the post game pool of reporters. "I've been working hard to get back to what led me to success in juniors. I have to credit our assistant coach Greg Gardner for keeping me positive and working with me. He's always yelling, always pushing us. He's helped me to regain my confidence."
The Purple Eagles were the beneficiaries of timely scoring which offset what was an otherwise a close game in which Huntsville actually outs hot Niagara by a comfortable margin. But something was missing from the Chargers game —- and that something was a certain amount a nastiness which Niagara fans have come to expect in this CHA rivalry.
" We are eleven game in (to the season)," Niagara coach Dave Burkholder said. "We don't want to be classified as a transition team. I think if we can bunker in defensively, then we're going to be a very difficult team to play. I still think we are searching for that part of our identity. "
Niagara's three goal first period outburst began on the power play. Chris Moran's shoot-in was trapped along the boards by Tyler Gotto, who then beat UAH goaltender Marc Narduzzi with a blast from the point.
