Springfield, Mass. ? Junior Josh Heidinger tallied a hat trick and classmate Jason Weeks matched a school record for assists in a game to lift the Canisius hockey team to a 4-1 victory over AIC on Saturday afternoon. The Griffs completed the weekend sweep of the Yellow Jackets and improved to 3-2-2 on the season and 2-1-1 in Atlantic Hockey play.
“The hat trick is nice and it was good boost,” Heidinger said. “Any contributions help ? one or three ? but it is a nice confidence builder. To get a sweep is huge. It is big to get four points on the road in our league and hopefully we can keep it going.”
Heidinger is the fifth Griff to record a hat trick since Canisius moved to Division I. The junior also added an assist for a career-best four points. Weeks, who was the last Canisius student-athlete to score three goals in a game, matched the program's Division I record with four helpers. Freshman Dave Kostuch also added a goal for Canisius.
Freshman Dan Morrison recorded 32 saves in net to earn his first collegiate victory.
It took Heidinger 7:15 to score his first goal of the afternoon. Junior Dave Cianfrini sent a wrist-shot toward the goal and after being tipped by Weeks, Heidinger was there to finish it and tap it in for the goal.
Canisius extended its lead during the second period, notching two goals in the frame. Kostuch opened the scoring with his fifth tally of the season 6:20 into the period. Heidinger faked a one-timer and slipped it to the freshman on the back door to give the Griffs' a 2-0 lead.
Heidinger then scored two minutes later to stretch the lead to three. Sophomore Matt Zuke ripped a shot from the blue line and Heidinger tipped it in for his second tally of the afternoon. Weeks registered an assist on both second-period goals to pace the Canisius attack.
AIC scored 11:41 into the third period but Heidinger and Weeks responded to seal the Griffs' victory. The two skated into the zone and Weeks left the puck for his classmate. Heidinger then tipped the puck and it trickled in for his third goal. Cianifrini also posted an assist for his second helper on the afternoon.
“It is a great feeling to come in here and earn four points,” Weeks said. “We have been working hard since September and it is starting to pay off and show on the ice.”
The Griffs are off until Nov. 11 when Canisius will face Niagara in the annual Battle of the Bridge grudge match.
Game Notes: Canisius completed its first weekend sweep since taking both games at Connecticut on Jan. 27 and 28, 2006 ... The Griffs improved to 3-2-1 on the road this season, surpassing its road win from last year ... Heidinger has scored a goal in his last eight Atlantic Hockey games during the month of November ... Heidinger's matched Canisius' Division I record set by Chris Duggan (twice), Brad Kenny and Weeks ... Weeks' four assists tied the mark of Duggan, set during the 1998-99 season also against AIC.
