Worcester, Mass. ? The Canisius College hockey team nearly rallied from a three-goal third period deficit but in the end, the Griffs lost to Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon, 5-4.
“It's disappointing,” said junior captain Peter MacDougall. “We had some expectations for today but we lost our composure in the second period and it cost us two points tonight.”
Freshman Dave Kostuch led the Griffs with two scores, both in the third period, while sophomore Cory Conacher and junior Carl Hudson also added goals for the Griffs. Junior Andrew Loewen stopped 32 shots in net.
Conacher gave the Griffs (1-2-1, 0-1-1 Atlantic Hockey) the early advantage, scoring just 4:22 into the contest. Sophomore Vincent Scarsella won the draw to Conacher, who fired a shot in from the top of the slot for his fourth goal of the season.
The Crusaders (1-0-1, 1-0-1 Atlantic Hockey) knotted the game with 1:28 remaining in the first period. Brodie Sheahan connected with a one-timer from the blue line for his first goal of the season.
Holy Cross took its first lead of the afternoon, taking advantage of a 5-on-3 power play when Sheahan scored his second goal of the game 9:46 into the period. The Crusaders added two even-strength goals to head into the third period with a three-goal advantage, 4-1.
Kostuch sparked the Griffs' third-period rally, scoring a short-handed goal 58 seconds into the stanza. The freshman and junior Josh Heidinger hooked up on a give-and-go that resulted in Kostuch's second goal of the season. Junior Dave Cianfrini also posted an assist on the score.
Hudson would cut the Griffs deficit to one with 8:37 left in the game, finding the back of the net on a one-timer right after a penalty had expired. Junior Jason Weeks and Scarsella both registered assists on the score. However, Holy Cross responded when Jay Silvia scored on a breakaway with 5:41 remaining in the contest as the Crusaders reclaimed their two-goal advantage.
The Griffs did not quit and in the final minute of play, once again pulled to within one. With two Crusaders in the penalty box and an empty-net goal, the Griffs took advantage of three extra attackers. Hudson fired a shot toward goal and Kostuch tipped the puck in for his second goal of the afternoon. Heidinger also posted an assist on the goal with 28.9 seconds remaining. Canisius still had a two-man advantage but could not capitalize to lose its first conference game of the season.
The Griffs had a number of opportunities on the power play but could not find the back of the net until Kostuch's final goal. Canisius was 1-11 with the extra-man advantage. Holy Cross' Adam Roy stopped 29 shots in the game, including 17 on the power play.
“We had our ups and down today,” Heidinger said. “We played well in the first but we couldn't keep an even keel the entire game. It was our first league series and it reminded us how important every game is here.”
The Griffs take a break from league play for a home contest against Merrimack next Sunday. The Griffs' home opener is slated to begin at 5 p.m.
Game Notes: Freshman Scott Moser made his collegiate debut ... The Griffs have recorded three short-handed goals in four games this season ... Conacher has scored a goal in three of four contests this season.
