Clarkson netted an extra-attacker goal with just 29 seconds remaining in regulation – and 25 seconds after the Canisius College hockey team had taken the lead – to force a 3-3 draw on Saturday afternoon at the Buffalo State Sports Arena. The Griffs are now 1-4-2 on the season, while the Golden Knights are 0-4-2.
“We really showed a lot of good qualities today,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “A tie always creates mixed feelings but we just need to take the positives from today and create two points tomorrow. It was a tough college hockey game with both teams fighting really hard right to the end.
Sophomore Tyler Wiseman (Burlington, Ontario) led the Griffs with two goals on the afternoon, whileMitch McCrank (Haileybury, Ontario) added a tally for Canisius.
Junior Tony Capobianco (Mississauga, Ontario) recorded 30 saves to anchor the Canisius defense on the afternoon.
The Griffs took the early advantage in the contest when Wiseman netted his first goal of the 2012-13 campaign, scoring on the power play. Sophomore Cody Freeman (Toronto, Ontario) fired a shot toward goal but the Clarkson defense blocked it before reaching the net. Sophomore Doug Beck (Plymouth, Mich.) redirected the rebound to Wiseman and he knocked it in for the 1-0 lead with 4:27 remaining in the first.
Canisius stretched its lead to two 4:39 into the second frame with McCrank’s first goal of the season. The sophomore caused a turnover and found the back of the net for a 2-0 Griffs lead. Senior Preston Shupe (Weyburn, Saskatchewan) posted an assist on the tally.
The Griffs then had a chance to extend its lead to three but couldn’t score with 1:30 of 5-on-3 action. The Golden Knights took advantage by scoring their first goal of the afternoon 14 seconds after the Canisius power play ended. Patrick Marsh finished on a rush to bring Clarkson within one, 2-1, with 1:57 remaining in the second.
In the third stanza, Canisius apparently took a 3-1 lead but a simultaneous penalty nullified the score. Clarkson took advantage on the ensuing power play when Pat Megannety stuffed in his own rebound to knot the game at two with 6:56 remaining in regulation.
The Griffs reclaimed its lead with just 54 seconds left with Wiseman’s second goal of afternoon. SeniorBen Parker (Port Perry, Ontario) sent a shot toward goal and Wiseman redirected it in for the late 3-2 advantage. Beck added his second assist of the afternoon on the tally.
Clarkson, however, would answer right back. After the Golden Knights pulled their goaltender, Ben Sexton finished from a scrum in front of the net to square the game at three with just 29 seconds remaining in the third.
Both teams had quality scoring chances in the extra session. Clarkson controlled the early part of the overtime, while Canisius dominated the middle part of the period. Junior Taylor Law (Markham, Ontario) had the best chance and nearly ended the game with his second goal of the season. He sent a shot toward goal that was blocked by a Clarkson defender. Law then collected the loose puck and made a move to beat the goaltender but couldn’t quite knock it in as the teams finished the 3-3 tie. Overall, the two schools fired nine shots on net in the extra five minutes (5-4 for Canisius).
Clarkson finished the game with a 33-29 advantage in shots with both teams going 1-for-6 with the extra-man advantage. Andrew Hunt recorded 26 saves for the Golden Knights.
