Hockey Falls to AIC

Springfield, Mass. ? The Canisius College hockey team lost to American International Friday night, 3-1.

“We wanted to win so bad and we saw that it wasn't happening naturally,” said head coach Dave Smith. “We were just trying so hard to win and squeezing the stick too hard. We lost the game in the two first periods.”

Sophomore Josh Heidinger (pictured) scored for the Griffs while sophomore Carl Hudson and freshman Vincent Scarsella both recorded an assist. Sophomore Andrew Loewen registered 23 saves in goal.

After a scoreless first period, the Yellow Jackets struck with two early second-period goals. AIC scored 59 seconds into the period when McMillan had his shot deflected past Loewen. The Yellow Jackets added another goal just 2:32 later to grab a 2-0 advantage. Loewen was tripped up behind the goal and Steve McLeod took advantage of the empty net to score his second goal of the season.

Heidinger finally got the Griffs (2-6-2, 2-4-1) on the board 5:59 into the third period. The sophomore found a rebound off a saved shot, got the AIC goalie on the ice and lifted it over him for his fifth goal of the season.

The Griffs had a chance to knot the game at two but could not convert on its second power-play opportunity of the evening. Jereme Tendler knocked in a rebound shot for the Yellow Jackets to help give them a 3-1 lead with 7:04 remaining.

Heidinger apparently scored the Griffs' second goal of the evening two minutes later but the referee ruled that the net was accidentally dislodged before he found the back of the net. Canisius went to the empty net with 3:40 to play but could still not add another goal. Freshman Dan Ramirez made 22 saves in net for American International.

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

Game Notes: Senior David Kasch played in his 100th career game ... Heidinger scored a goal in his fifth-consecutive game, extending his career-long goal-scoring streak ... Canisius was not whistled for a penalty in a game for the first time since moving to Division I and the two total penalties between the two schools are the fewest in a Canisius game since moving to Division I ... The Griffs were held without a shot on goal in a period for the first time since Dec. 6, 2006, also against American International.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#25 David Kasch: F; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

#1 Andrew Loewen: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#23 Vincent Scarsella: F; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#25 David Kasch
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: F

#1 Andrew Loewen
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#23 Vincent Scarsella
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: F