Hockey Falls to Holy Cross, 3-2

Worcester, Mass. ? Two third period goals lifted the host Holy Cross Crusaders to a victory over the Canisius College hockey team, 3-2.

“It is frustrating,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “We needed one more save or one more goal. We played very well in the second period but we were trying so hard to win we got out of what we do best in the third. The effort is there, we just need to find a way to pull these ones out.”

Sophomores Josh Heidinger and Dave Cianfrini (pictured) each tallied goals for the Griffs. Senior Bryce Luker posted 27 saves in net.

The Crusaders struck first with a goal late in the first period. Marty Dams fired a shot and Joe Brock knocked in the rebound for his third goal of the season with 2:08 remaining in the period. Luker recorded 16 saves in net during the opening stanza to keep the Griffs within one.

Heidinger knotted the game at one early in the second period. Sophomore Carl Hudson found his classmate in front of the net and Heidinger knocked it in for a goal in his third-consecutive game. Senior Kyle Bushee also recorded an assist on the score.

Canisius (1-5-2, 1-3-1 Atlantic Hockey) was able to take advantage of a five-minute power play to seize the lead late in the second period. Cianfrini fired a shot from the blue line for his fourth score of the season. Heidinger and freshman Derek Danowski recorded the assists on the score.

The Crusaders (4-2-1, 3-1-1), who entered the game ranked second in the country converting 33.3 percent of its power plays, finally struck on its fourth extra-man advantage. Brodie Sheahan tallied his fourth goal of the season with 10:51 left in regulation. Rob Forshner gave Holy Cross the advantage with 8:07 left in the game, scoring his first goal of the season.

Holy Cross outshot Canisius, 30-21. The Griffs converted 1-of-3 power-play attempts, while the Crusaders scored once on four tries.

The Griffs wrap up the two-game set tomorrow in Worcester, Mass. Game time is set for 4:05 p.m.

Game Notes: Six of the Griffs' eight games have been decided by one or fewer goals this season ... Canisius has yet to win a tight game, going 0-4-2 in games decided by one or fewer goals ... Bushee played in his 100th career game ... Cianfrini has recorded four goals this season after totaling one goal during his rookie season last year ... The sophomore also extended his point streak to a career-best four games ... Danowski extended his point streak to a career-best six games ... Junior Spencer Churchill had his five-game point streak snapped ... Danowski won 16-of-19 faceoffs, whle Churchill won 13-of-18.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Spencer Churchill: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#5 Dave Cianfrini: D; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#9 Derek Danowski: F; 5' 9"; Freshman

#12 Josh Heidinger: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#2 Carl Hudson: D; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#33 Bryce Luker: G; 6' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Spencer Churchill
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#5 Dave Cianfrini
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: D

#9 Derek Danowski
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: F

#12 Josh Heidinger
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

#2 Carl Hudson
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: D

#33 Bryce Luker
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G