Canisius (10-19-5, 10-13-5 AHC) vs. Niagara (5-23-6, 5-18-5 AHC)
Dates: Friday, March 4 – Sunday, March 6
Times: 7:35 p.m. / 7:35 p.m. / 5:05 p.m.
Location: Buffalo, N.Y. / HARBORCENTER
TV/Webcast: Eversport TV
Live Audio: GoGriffs.com
DI Series History: Niagara leads, 16-12-4
The Griffs begin the Atlantic Hockey Tournament with a best 2-of-3 series against rival Niagara. Seventh-seeded Canisius hosts the 10th-seeded Purple Eagles at HARBORCENTER with the schools meeting on Friday and Saturday at 7:35 p.m. and on Sunday at 5:05 p.m., if necessary.
SCOUTING THE GRIFFS
• The Griffs (10-19-5, 10-13-5 AHC) finished the regular season in seventh place in the Atlantic Hockey standings.
• Shane Conacher leads the team with 40 points, 19 goals and 21 assists, while Ralph Cuddemi is a close second with 38 points.
• Rookie Simon Hofley has started the last 15 games and in 20 starts overall, he has a 2.82 goals against average and .918 save percentage.
ATLANTIC HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
• The Griffs secured the seven seed for the Atlantic Hockey Tournament and host Niagara in a best 2-of-3 first-round series.
• Canisius claimed 3-of-4 points against Niagara this season – both games at HARBORCENTER – winning 3-1 and playing to a 3-3 draw.
• If the Griffs advance, Canisius plays at Air Force (if Army defeats AIC) or Holy Cross (if AIC wins) next weekend in the quarterfinals.
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN
• While most schools are disappointed with a seven seed, Canisius has been very successful at that position.
• The last two times Canisius was the seven seed, the Griffs advanced to the championship game – winning the title in 2013 and finishing as runner-up in 2014.
• Overall, the Griffs are 11-3 all-time as the seven seed in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament.
CUDDEMI NEARING THE PROGRAM’S GOALS RECORD
• Senior Ralph Cuddemi is within striking distance of the program’s Division I goals record.
• Cuddemi has found the back of the net 60 times during his career, just two shy of the record of 62, held by Cory Conacher (2007-11).
• Cuddemi has six career goals against Niagara in 11 career games – the second-most against any single opponent during his career.
• The senior captain is tied for the team lead with 19 goals this season.
CANISIUS POSTSEASON HISTORY
• The Griffs are in their 18th season competing at the Division I level, having compiled a 22-21 postseason mark during that span, including a 19-16 record in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament.
• In the last three seasons, Canisius is 13-3 in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament. The Griffs have advanced to the final four for three-straight years for the first time in school history, winning the program’s first title in 2013 and finishing as runner-up last season.
HOME COOKING IN THE POSTSEASON
• The Griffs have cruised to victory the last three years at home in the postseason.
• During the span, Canisius is a perfect 6-0 in Buffalo, only allowing two total goals in the six games and outscoring its opponent overall by an 18-2 margin (average score of 3.0 to 0.3).
• Overall, Canisius is 8-3 all-time at home in Division I postseason contests.
CANISIUS – NIAGARA SERIES HISTORY
• In a rivalry that began in 1997, Niagara holds a 20-13-4 advantage in the all-time series, including a 16-12-4 edge in Division I meetings.
• Since the seniors first arrived on campus, Canisius holds a slight edge against Niagara, 5-4-2.
• The schools met twice in HARBORCENTER earlier this season with Canisius claiming 3-of-4 points, earning a 3-1 win in the opener before the schools skated to a 3-3 draw in the finale.
• Overall, Canisius is unbeaten in its last four games with the Purple Eagles, going 3-0-1.
RIVALRY MEETING IN THE POSTSEASON
• The nearby rivals are meeting for the third time in the postseason in six years since Niagara became an Atlantic Hockey member.
• Canisius eliminated the Purple Eagles on both previous occasions, posting a 6-3 victory in Lewiston in a 2011 first-round matchup before earning a 5-3 victory in the semifinals in 2013 en route to the program’s first conference title.
• Overall, Canisius has advanced further than Niagara in 4-of-5 seasons as conference rivals.
ABOUT THE PURPLE EAGLES
• Niagara finished 10th in the Atlantic Hockey standings with a 5-18-5 record. Overall, the Purple Eagles are 5-23-6 this season.
• The Purple Eagles went winless in their last six regular-season games with three draws followed by three losses.
• Derian Plouffe leads Niagara with 17 points and 11 goals this season. Defender Vinny Muto has posted a team-leading 11 assists.
• Jackson Teichroeb has seen a majority of minutes in goal as of late, posting a 3-9-2 record with a 2.71 goals against average and .904 save percentage.
