Ice Hockey 1/6/2008 12:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Hockey Tops Bentley, 4-1

The Canisius College hockey team extended its unbeaten streak to five games with a 4-1 victory over Bentley at the Amherst Pepsi Center. The Griffs are now 5-10-5 and 4-6-4 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Falcons fall to 5-12-3 and 5-6-3 against league competition.

“I thought we played very intelligently in the second period,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “We were rewarded for it with three goals in the period.”

Freshman Cory Conacher and sophomore Ryan Klusendorf (pictured) both tallied their first collegiate goals for the Griffs. Sophomore Carl Hudson and David Kasch also added scores.

Sophomore Andrew Loewen recorded 36 saves to earn the victory. Loewen recorded 69 saves during the two-game series, while allowing only two Bentley scores.

“Andrew always gives us a chance to win the game,” Smith said. “He is seeing the puck very well right now. He is a very mature and bright man. He had a terrific weekend.”

Conacher opened the scoring with his first goal 11:43 into the game. Senior Kyle Bushee fired a shot toward the goal from the blue line and Conacher tipped to grab the early lead. Freshman Matt Zuke also tallied an assist on the score.

Klusendorf tallied his first collegiate goal 4:50 into the second frame. The redshirt-sophomore drilled a shot that got past the Benltey goalie to give the Griffs a two-score advantage. Freshman Brandon Cummings and Hudson recorded the assists on the goal.

Hudson would extend the Griffs lead to three goals with his sixth score of the season at the 9:14 mark of the second. The sophomore fired a shot in from the blue line after a face-off victory from junior Spencer Churchill. Less than two minutes later, Kasch scored on a back-handed shot to give Canisius a commanding 4-0 lead. Freshman Vincent Scarsella and Conacher posted the assists on the power-play goal.

Only a lost stick could keep Loewen from recording his second shutout of the season. Erik Peterson scored his fifth goal of the season for Bentley with 4:14 remaining in the second after Loewen had lost his stick behind the net.

With the victory, Canisius moved one point behind Bentley for the final spot for home ice during the Atlantic Hockey Championship. The Falcons currently sit in fifth place with 13 points, while Canisius is in sixth with 12 points.

The Griffs look to extend its unbeaten streak next weekend with a pair of league matches against Connecticut. The two schools meet on Friday and Saturday at the Amherst Pepsi Center with both games beginning at 7:05 p.m.

Game Notes: The Griffs' five-game unbeaten streak is the longest since the 2003-04 season ... Canisius remained unbeaten at home this season, improving to 4-0-1 ... Conacher has posted four points (1g, 3a) in his first three collegiate games ... Canisius has allowed only one power-play goal in its last seven games ... Sophomore Jason Weeks had his career-best six-game points streak snapped.

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Players Mentioned

#39 Kyle Bushee: D; 6' 0"; Senior

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

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

#27 Ryan Klusendorf: F; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

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

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

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

#36 Matt Zuke: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#39 Kyle Bushee
: 6' 0"; Senior
: D

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

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

#27 Ryan Klusendorf
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: F

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

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

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

#36 Matt Zuke
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F