Hockey Blanks Army, 3-0

West Point, N.Y. ? The Canisius College hockey team shutout Army, 3-0, Friday night. With the victory, the Griffs improved to 7-11-5 and 6-7-4 in Atlantic Hockey play.

“It was a good, determined team effort,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “After the first period, we battled hard and won a lot of 50-50 pucks. That was the difference in the game.”

Sophomore Andrew Loewen (pictured) recorded 40 saves to record his second-consecutive shutout and his third of the season. Loewen has not allowed a goal in the last 149:32 of action, setting a new school record for scoreless streak since the program moved to Division I. In the month of January, Loewen has recorded a goals against average of 0.79 and a save percentage of .975.

“When our forwards do their job, the defense does their job and I have a chance to see the pucks, it makes things easier,” Loewen said. “I'm also in the zone right now and when you're on, you're on.”

Freshman Pat Kenney, senior Scott Follett and sophomore Jason Weeks all scored for the Griffs. Freshman Cory Conacher posted two assists in the victory.

Kenney gave the Griffs the early advantage by scoring 6:01 into the game. Freshman Vincent Scarsella was able to get an Army defender to fall on a breakaway. Scarsella then sent a crossing pass toward Kenney, who knocked it in for his first collegiate score. Sophomore Josh Heidinger also registered an assist on the score.

Follett gave the Griffs a two-goal advantage at the 9:13 mark of the second period. The senior fired a shot from the blue line that got past the Army goalie for his first score of the season. Weeks and Conacher posted the assists on the goal.

Weeks then added a goal of his own with 3:15 remaining in the second. The sophomore found the puck in air right in front of the goal and knocked it in for his eighth score of the season. Conacher and freshman Derek Danowski registered an assist on the score.

Loewen and the Griffs defense would take it from there. Canisius continued its dominance on the penalty kill, preventing the Black Knights (6-12-3, 6-7-2 Atlantic Hockey) from scoring in all eight of their extra-man opportunities. Canisius has killed 48 of its last 49 power plays and has scored three short-handed goals during the stretch.

The schools complete the two-game series tomorrow at Tate Rink. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

Game Notes: Dan Giffin held the previous scoreless streak for the Griffs, going 147:34 in 2006 without giving up a goal ... Kenney and Follett are the 18th and 19th players to score a goal for the Griffs this season. Of the 19 to post a goal, 14 are either freshmen or sophomores ... After a slow start to the season, Weeks has heated up in the last 10 games. During the Griffs' first 13 games, Weeks totaled three points and one goal. In the last 10 games, he has 10 points and seven goals.

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Players Mentioned

#28 Cory Conacher: F; 5' 5"; Freshman

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

#8 Scott Follett: D; 6' 0"; Senior

#14 Pat Kenney: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

#28 Cory Conacher
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: F

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

#8 Scott Follett
: 6' 0"; Senior
: D

#14 Pat Kenney
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F

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

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

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