The Canisius College team had its season come to an end with a loss in game two of a best 2-of-3 Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinal series on Saturday night, falling at second-seeded Air Force, 4-1. The Griffs finish the year with a 12-22-5 record, while the Falcons advance to the semifinals with a 20-11-5 mark.
“While we are disappointed with the loss, I’m proud of the accomplishments of our two seniors Ralph Cuddemi and Mathew Backhouse,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “They took our program to another level and helped us to three-straight Atlantic Hockey Final Fours with our first title in 2013. They have meant a lot to our team – on and off the ice – and will be missed in the future.”
Sophomore Ryan Schmlezer scored for the Griffs, while freshman Simon Hofley suffered the loss in net, stopping 24 shots.
For the second-straight night, the Falcons struck before the first media timeout when Tyler Ledford knocked in a rebound in the dying seconds of a power play, giving Air Force a 1-0 lead 4:52 into the contest.
The Falcons then took control early in the second frame. Just 29 seconds into the period and with the Griffs on the power play, Ben Carey was dragged down on a breakaway and after he crashed into Hofley and the net fell off the moorings, the puck trickled past the goal line. After a review, the officials awarded Air Force the goal for the 2-0 lead. The Falcons then added to their advantage with 13:04 left in the period when Ben Kucera scored on a rush for the 3-0 edge.
In the third period, the Griffs attempted to fight back and Schmelzer brought the team within two, scoring his 10th goal of the season with 11:11 remaining in the contest. A loose puck squirted out to Schmelzer in the right face-off circle and the sophomore sent a blast into the net. Senior Ralph Cuddemi and freshman Cameron Heath both posted assists on the tally that pulled the Griffs within two, 3-1.
The Falcons, however, would not allow Canisius any closer despite the Griffs posting a 13-6 advantage in shots in the third period. Air Force then sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 2:05 remaining in the game.
Air Force finished the game with a 28-25 advantage in shots on the night. The Falcons also won the special teams battle, converting once in six chances on the power play, while scoring a short-handed goal and killing both attempts by the Griffs.
Game Notes: The Griffs had won game two of a series six-straight times prior to Saturday’s defeat … The short-handed goal to open the second period was the first allowed by Canisius in 39 games this season … Each school has now swept a postseason series against the other … The loss marked the end of the collegiate careers of seniors Cuddemi and Mathew Backhouse … One of the best to wear the Blue and Gold, Cuddemi finished his career ranked fifth in school history with 123 career points and second with 61 career goals.
