Ice Hockey 12/8/2007 12:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Hockey Fights to 3-3 Draw Against Air Force

USAF Academy, Colo. ? Freshman Vincent Scarsella (pictured) helped the Canisius College hockey team rally for a 3-3 draw against Atlantic Hockey-leading Air Force on Friday evening. Scarsella scored with 1:27 left in regulation to help the Griffs earn the point.

“That is a great tie,” said Canisius College head coach Dave Smith. “Air Force is a very good team. It was the effort of our seniors and Andrew Loewen that helped us earn this tie. I thought Andrew did a very good job of seeing the puck tonight. The seniors are great leaders both on and off the ice and that translates to success during the game.”

Sophomore Jason Weeks and freshman Eric Rex also tallied goals for the Griffs. Loewen posted 32 saves in net.

The Griffs started the game very strong, jumping to a 2-0 lead after one period. Weeks scored just 6:43 into the game to give Canisius the advantage. Freshman Derek Danowski attempted to dump the puck into the Griffs' offensive zone but it deflected off an Air Force defender and right back to Danowski. The freshman then found an open Weeks for the game's first goal. Sophomore Josh Heidinger also tallied an assist on the score.

Canisius would strike again less than three minutes later, scoring on a short-handed opportunity. Senior David Kasch skated down the ice and stopped right before reaching the blue line. Kasch then waited for the Air Force defense to collapse around him and he found a wide-open Rex. Rex then made a nice move to beat the Falcons' goalie for his second tally of the season. Junior Spencer Churchill also notched an assist on the score.

After a scoreless second period, the Falcons (9-4-2, 7-4-2 Atlantic Hockey) finally got on the board 4:50 into the third frame. Scott Kozlak took advantage of a released penalty and scored on a breakaway opportunity. Canisius had a chance to reclaim a two-goal advantage but could not score on two-consecutive power plays. Air Force would then knot the game at two shortly later. Josh Shaffer fired a shot past Loewen following a Canisius turnover to tie the game with 10:23 left.

Jeff Hajner would then tally the Falcons' third goal of the evening, drilling a shot past Loewen with 7:53 left in the game. Scarsella then evened the game once again with 1:27 remaining. Cummings found Scarsella in front of the goal and the freshman then lifted the puck above the Falcons' goalie. Kasch also recorded his second assist on the score.

Both teams had a chance to score in overtime. Air Force could not score on a power play with their leading scorer, Eric Ehn, having an open look at the goal. Canisius also almost scored on a breakaway during the power play. Freshman Phil Rauch sent a crossing pass toward Scarsella, but the puck could not find his stick as the teams fought to the draw.

Both teams struggled on the power play during the game, going 0-for-7. Canisius has not allowed a power play goal in league play since November 9, a span of six perfect penalty kill games.

“We would have liked to put the game away in the second and third period. We had five power play opportunities and couldn't capitalize. On the other side, our penalty kill was excellent tonight and gave us a chance to win the game.

The two teams wrap up play tomorrow at the Cadet Ice Arena. Game time is set for 9:05 p.m. ET.

Game Notes: The Griffs tallied a first-period goal for the first time since Nov. 10, ending a span of six-straight games without a goal in the first frame ... Weeks has now scored in a career-best three-consecutive games ... Rex scored the first shorthanded goal for Canisius since Weeks tallied a man-down goal on Jan. 6, 2007 against Army ... Churchill's assist was his eighth of the season, setting a new career high ... Loewen has not allowed a power play goal in league play since Oct. 26, killing the last 28 power plays he has seen in Atlantic Hockey play.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#20 Phil Rauch: D; 6' 0"; Freshman

#26 Eric Rex: F; 5' 11"; Freshman

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

#16 Jason Weeks: F; 5' 8"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

#20 Phil Rauch
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: D

#26 Eric Rex
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: F

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

#16 Jason Weeks
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: F