Columbus, Ohio – The Canisius College hockey team fell to Ohio State on Saturday night, 3-1. Canisius is now 2-7-0 on the season, while the Buckeyes improve to 8-4-0.
“Our team really took over the last 30 minutes of the game from the face-off circle on out,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “We just weren’t able to get that one puck through to pull even. I’m looking forward to replicating that effort and desperate poise from the last half of the game during our conference play.”
Junior Mitch McCrank (Haileybury, Ontario) scored the lone goal for the Griffs, while seniorTony Capobianco (Mississauga, Ontario) recorded 26 saves.
All three non-empty net goals in the contest were scored in a 4:11 span in the second period with the Buckeyes netting the first two goals. Alex Szczechura opened the scoring 3:38 into the stanza, scoring on a rebound off a rush. Josh Healey then gave Ohio State a two-goal advantage, scoring from the left face-off circle just 1:54 later.
Canisius cut its deficit in half when McCrank netted his first goal of the season. The junior picked up a loose puck and skated toward net, finishing from close range to bring the Griffs within one, 2-1. Sophomore Stephen Miller (Boxborough, Mass.) registered an assist on the goal 7:49 into the period.
The Griffs, however, were unable to find the equalizing tally in the final 32-plus minutes despite controlling much of the tempo – outshooting the Buckeyes, 17-11, following McCrank’s tally. The best chance for the Griffs came with four minutes remaining when Braeden Rigney (Singhampton, Ontario) and Logan Roe (Fort Myers, Fla.) entered on a 2-on-1 rush but the Ohio State netminder was equal to the challenge and made the save.
The Buckeyes, who blocked a total of 20 shots on the night, then secured the victory with an empty-net goal with 1.5 seconds remaining to earn the 3-1 win.
Ohio State finished the game with a 29-23 edge in shots, while neither team converted on the power play. Canisius was 0-for-4 with the extra-man advantage, while killing all three Ohio State chances.
Canisius now returns to Atlantic Hockey play on Tuesday, hosting RIT. The schools are set to meet at the Buffalo State Sports Arena at 7:05 p.m.
