The Canisius College hockey team takes a break from Atlantic Hockey action for a matchup with nationally-ranked Merrimack. The Griffs host the No. 16 Warriors on Saturday at HARBORCENTER at 6:05 p.m.
The program is also celebrating Alumni Night with a pre-game reception beginning at 4:30 p.m.
SCOUTING THE GRIFFS
• Canisius (2-4-0, 2-2-0 AHC) split a pair of games last weekend at Sacred Heart, winning 3-0 on Friday before falling 4-0 on Saturday.
• Junior Shane Conacher leads the Griffs with eight points in six games this season, totaling four goals and four assists.
• Sophomore Reilly Turner has started all six games in net, posting a 3.88 goals against average and .892 save percentage.
TOP LINE EARNS TOP GRADES
• The Griffs have relied on their top line for scoring this season.
• The combination of senior Ralph Cuddemi, junior Shane Conacher and sophomore Ryan Schmelzer have totaled 19 points, nine goals and 10 assists in six games this season.
• In fact, the line has accounted for 90.9 percent of the team’s goals in 2015, scoring or assisting on 10 of the Griffs’ 11 tallies.
• The team’s top line returned from last year after accounting for 57.4 percent of the team’s goals in 2014-15 (54-of-94).
CAN WE SKIP THE FIRST??
• One big issue for the Griffs this season is the first period.
• Canisius has been outscored, 10-0, in the first 20 minutes of play and have escaped the opening frame tied just twice in six games.
• After the first, the Griffs are even with their opponent, 11-11.
• Canisius is the only team in the nation to have not scored in the first period this season.
FRIDAY PARTY LEADS TO SATURDAY HANGOVER
• The Griffs have enjoyed a lot more success on Fridays compared to Saturdays this season.
• Canisius owns a 2-1-0 record on Friday with its only loss coming to nationally-ranked Bowling Green.
• On the opposite end, the Griffs are winless in three Saturday games.
CANISIUS – MERRIMACK SERIES HISTORY
• The Griffs and Warriors have met on two prior occasions.
• Merrimack earned a 4-0 home victory during the 2007-08 season, while the schools played to 1-1 draw in Buffalo the following season.
GRIFFS VERSUS HOCKEY EAST
• Canisius is in search of its first win against a Hockey East school this weekend.
• The Griffs are 0-9-2 all-time against schools while in Hockey East. Canisius does own 27 all-time wins against second-year member Connecticut prior to its arrival in the conference.
• One of two draws versus conference teams came against Merrimack in 2008.
GRIFFS VERSUS RANKED TEAMS
• The meeting with No. 16 Merrimack is another opportunity for Canisius to make a splash on the national stage.
• Canisius is 6-29-3 all-time against nationally-ranked schools since moving to Division I in 1998.
• The Griffs last defeated a ranked opponent with a 4-1 victory at No. 17 Denver during the 2013-14 campaign. Canisius is 0-5-1 in its last six contests versus ranked foes, including a 4-2 setback to No. 10 Bowling Green on Oct. 16.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS
• Merrimack is 4-1-2 this season and is ranked 16th in the latest USCHO.com national poll.
• The Warriors rebounded from their first loss of the 2015-16 campaign with a 5-1 victory at Atlantic Hockey foe Bentley on Wednesday.
• Saturday will mark the only time that Merrimack leaves the state of Massachusetts until Dec. 5.
• Ben Bahe leads the team with nine points, four goals and five assists. Brian Christie is second with eight points on three goals and five assists.
• Collin Delia has started all seven games in net with a 1.70 goals against average and .714 save percentage.
