Freshman Simon Hofley (Ottawa, Ontario) recorded his first collegiate shutout to lead the Canisius College hockey team to a 1-0 victory over rival Niagara in the Atlantic Hockey First Round on Saturday night, forcing a decisive game three in the best 2-of-3 series. With the win, the Griffs improve to 11-20-5 on the season, while the Purple Eagles drop to 6-24-6.
“It was another hard battle tonight,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “We played with urgency and poise, while raising the play of our defensive game as well. Tomorrow is going to be a fun environment for Western New York fans and hopefully a jammed-packed HARBORCENTER will be able to enjoy it.”
Freshman Dylan McLaughlin (Lancaster, N.Y.) netted the only goal the Griffs would need on the night to earn the victory. Classmate Felix Chamberland (Quebec City, Quebec) beat a Niagara defender before sending the puck to his linemate near the net. With goalie on the ice, McLaughlin lifted the puck over him and into the net for the 1-0 lead with 7:18remaining in the second frame. Sophomore Nolan Sheeran (East Amherst, N.Y.) also registered an assist on McLaughlin’s eighth tally of his rookie campaign.
The lone goal proved to be more than enough for Canisius on the day as Hofley backstopped the shutout. The freshman stopped all 33 shots he faced, including 10 in the final frame as Niagara attempted a comeback, to earn his first career shutout in the playoff victory.
Niagara posted a slight edge in shots, 33-31, on the night, while neither team converting on the power play. The Griffs went 0-for-4 with the man advantage and killing both of Niagara’s chances.
Jackson Teichroeb took the loss in net for the Purple Eagles, recording 30 saves.
The schools now face a winner-take-all contest tomorrow night at HARBORCENTER. The battle between the two rivals starts at 5:05 p.m. with a berth in the Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals on the line.
Game Notes: Canisius has five shutouts in its last eight home postseason games, dating back to 2013 … Hofley is the first Griff freshman to record a shutout since Dan Morrison on Nov. 15, 2008 … The Griffs last earned a 1-0 victory on Nov. 15, 2009 against Connecticut … Canisius had allowed at least three goals in each of its previous six games, totaling 26 goals (average of 4.33 goals per game) … The Griffs are now 3-1 against its rival in Atlantic Hockey postseason games.
