Big Rapids, Mich. ? The Canisius College hockey team lost a special teams battle to Ferris State on Saturday, falling to the Bulldogs, 5-2. All seven goals in the game were scored on special teams as the two teams split the weekend series.
“I thought we had a lot of good chances,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “Our power play had opportunities and it gave us a chance to win this game. Their power play was opportunistic and they were able to capitalize.”
Sophomore Vincent Scarsella and junior Jason Weeks each tallied a goal for the Griffs, while junior Carl Hudson recorded two assists. Freshman Dan Morrison made his collegiate debut in net, recording 39 saves.
Canisius got on the scoreboard first with a power-play tally at the 16:17 mark. Sophomore Cory Conacher fed Hudson down low and the junior then found Scarsella open on the opposite side of the net. Scarsella then knocked the puck in for his first goal of the season. Ferris State responded with a power-play goal of its own. Casey Haines beat Morrison with 1:14 left in the opening period to knot the game.
Ferris State took advantage of its extra-man chances in the second period, scoring twice on the power play. Following a scrum in front of the goal, Blair Riley knocked the puck in to give the Bulldogs their first lead of the game. Cody Chupp added another power-play tally at the 9:29 mark, tipping in a shot from the blue line.
Weeks cut the Griffs deficit to one with a power-play tally 39 seconds into the third period. Weeks tipped in a shot from junior Josh Heidinger for his first goal of the season. Hudson also recorded an assist on the score. However, the Bulldogs sealed the victory with two more goals. Mike Embach scored with the extra-man advantage and then Brendan Connolly added a short-handed tally.
The two teams combined for 26 penalties, resulting in 21 power-play opportunities. The Griffs converted 2-of-12 extra-man chances, while the Bulldogs went 4-for-9 on the power play.
The Griffs open league play next weekend with a pair of games at Holy Cross. The two teams will square off on Friday at 7:05 p.m. and on Saturday at 4:05 p.m.
Game Notes: Canisius has scored six of its seven goals on special teams this season (four power play and two short handed) ... Morrison was injured in the third period and relieved by Taylor Anderson, who recorded two saves ... The Griffs' top line of Conacher, Scarsella and Weeks has combined for 10 points (4g, 6a) through two games.
