The Canisius College hockey team fell in its final game before the holiday break, losing at Mercyhurst in overtime, 3-2. The Griffs are now 5-7-4 on the season and 4-3-2 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Lakers improve to 8-6-1 and 7-3-0 against league foes.
Sophomores Braeden Rigney (Singhampton, Ontario) and Doug Beck (Plymouth, Mich.) each netted goals for the Griffs.
Junior Tony Capobianco (Mississauga, Ontario) stopped 20 shots in net to anchor the Canisius defense.
The Griffs struck first in the contest when Rigney netted his first goal of the season. The sophomore tipped in a shot from junior defender Duncan McKellar (Phoenix, Ariz.) 2:22 into the second frame for the 1-0 advantage. Junior Ryan Bohrer (West St. Paul, Minn.) also registered an assist on the game’s opening tally.
Canisius’ lead, however, would be short-lived as Mercyhurst took advantage of two rushes to grab the advantage. Just 43 seconds following the Griffs’ tally, Daniel O’Donoghue finished on a 2-on-1 break to knot the game at one. Then with 13:07 remaining in the second frame, Daniel Bahntge used his speed to get a step on the Griffs defense and scored for the 2-1 Mercyhurst lead.
The Griffs fought back and eventually knotted the game at two. After successfully killing three-straight third-period power plays, Beck netted his fourth goal of the season with 6:32 remaining in regulation. From the point, McKellar sent a shot toward goal and juniorPatrick Sullivan (Derby, N.Y.) redirected the puck out front. Beck was there to knock the loose puck in to tie the contest at two.
Canisius continued to pour on the pressure and even had a great opportunity in the closing seconds of the third but it was Mercyhurst who earned the victory in overtime. The puck popped out to the blue line and Matthew Zay fired it in for the 3-2 win.
The Griffs held a convincing edge in shots on the night, 39-23. Neither team scored on the power play with Canisius going 0-for-4 with the extra man and killing all five Mercyhurst power plays.
Max Strang recorded 37 saves for the Lakers in the win.
Canisius is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 29, hosting Army. Game time at the Buffalo State Sports Arena is set for 7:05 p.m.
Game Notes: Beck now leads the team with nine points this season (4g, 5a) … Canisius has lost its last three games at Mercyhurst after winning a school-record five-straight at the Mercyhurst Ice Center … For the first time in 16 Canisius games this season, the team that scored first would lose the game … The loss also ended the Griffs’ three-game winning streak in addition to the team’s 3-0-0 start on the road in league play.
