BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Army hockey team erased an early two-goal deficit with goals from Taylor Maruya and Conor Andrle to earn a 2-2 tie against Canisius on Saturday night at the Harborcenter.
The Black Knights (2-6-4, 1-5-4 AHA) took three points this weekend at Canisius. Maruya’s tally was the first collegiate goal for the rookie, while Andrle netted his second of the year. Andrle finished the night with two points on a goal and an assist. Goalie Parker Gahagen stopped 20 shots and settled down after giving up the first two of the game.
The Golden Griffins (3-9-1, 3-4-1 AHA) got goals from Jeff Murray and Shane Conacher and Simon Hofley made it stand with 24 saves between the pipes.
The Griffs took the first lead late in the first period after a long possession in their offensive zone. Canisius kept the puck in the zone multiple times and it paid off with Murray jamming home a wrap around with 3:36 left in the period. It was Murray’s first of the season with Cameron Heath and Josh Kielich adding the assists.
Canisius added to its lead at the 14:31 mark of the second period with Conacher putting home his sixth of the season. The Griffs took a deflection off an Army stick in their defensive zone and turned it into a 3-on-1 rush. Ralph Cuddemi started the rush and found Ryan Schmelzer with a cross-ice pass. He tried to put it on net, but didn’t get good wood on it. However, Conacher was there for the cleanup and the 2-0 advantage.
The Black Knights got on the board with 6:35 remaining in the middle frame with Maruya tallying his first of his career. Canisius was dealing with a lot of pressure from Army and turned the puck over and Pham ripped the loose puck from the slot that Maruya tipped off the iron and in to cut the Canisius lead to 2-1. Conor Andrle was awarded his eighth assist of the season on the play and Pham was credited with his fifth helper.
Army didn’t help itself afterwards as the Black Knights took a five-minute major penalty, but Army continues to kill off penalties and did once again as the team’s went off for the second intermission with Canisius leading by a 2-1 score.
Andrle tied the game at the 11:29 mark of the third period with his second goal of the season. He did a lot of dirty work behind the net and got the puck out to Nick DeCenzo who fired a shot from the high slot. Andrle cut in front of Andrle and redirected the puck past Hofley to even the score at 2-2.
The Black Knights return to the ice next weekend for home-and-home series against Sacred Heart.
Ice Shavings: This was the 51st all-time meeting between Army and Canisius … Army kept its same lineup for the second-straight game … Buffalo native Parker Gahagen made his ninth start of the season … Army has 23 goals by 14 different skaters after Maruya’s goal … Army has six power play goals in its last 19 opportunities with the extra skater … Andrle has quietly had a four-game point scoring streak going with his goal and assist tonight … Army went to overtime for the fourth time this season and all four have ended in ties.
