A late short-handed goal lifted Army over the Canisius College hockey team on Sunday afternoon 4-3, handing the Griffs their first defeat at home this season. Canisius falls to 7-6-3 and 5-4-1 in Atlantic Hockey play.
“To have it end the way it did is disappointing,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “We made a high-risk play that didn't pay off. They came back with numbers and beat the goalie to win the game.”
Freshman Dave Kostuch led the Griffs with two scores, while sophomore Pat Kenney added a goal. Freshman goalie Dan Morrison recorded 22 saves in net.
The Black Knights (4-9-1, 4-7-1 Atlantic Hockey) struck first in the contest, scoring the lone goal of the first period with 5:15 remaining in the frame. Kyle Maggard tallied a power play goal to give Army the early advantage.
The Griffs responded in the second stanza to take their first lead of the afternoon. Kenney scored Canisius' first goal of the game, notching his third score of the season 4:08 into the period. Freshman Scott Moser sent a pass toward the center ice and junior captain Peter MacDougall tipped the puck forward to Kenney, who skated in and beat the Army goalie.
Kostuch gave the Griffs the lead, scoring on the power play at the 10:14 mark. Sophomore Cory Conacher crossed the puck to Kostuch and the rookie found the back of the net for his eighth goal of the season. Freshman Adam Brace also tallied an assist on the goal.
The Black Knights responded with 2:22 left in the period. Alex McRae scored just after a Canisius penalty expired to send the game into the final frame knotted at two.
The game remained tied until the 13:21 mark when Army notched its second power play goal of the game. Chris Spracklen found the back of the net to give the Black Knights a 3-2 lead.
The Army lead would be short lived as Kostuch scored his second power play goal of the game 1:28 later to once again tie the contest. Sophomore Vincent Scarsella won a faceoff back to junior Carl Hudson. Hudson fired a shot toward goal, which was blocked in traffic. Kostuch recovered the puck and went around the goalie to knot the game at three.
Less than three minutes later, Army was whistled for a penalty, giving Canisius a power play with 2:26 left in regulation. The puck squirted free to center ice and Eric Sefchik took advantage, skating in and beating Morrison for the game-winning score.
“It was extremely frustrating,” Kostuch said. “We had them right there at the end after coming back. It is one of the more frustrating losses of the season. We just need to get back to practice and work hard.”
Canisius returns to action on Dec. 19, squaring off at Mercyhurst.
Game Notes: The start of the game was delayed 1:10 minutes ... Hudson set the program's Division I record for most points by a defensemen with 43 ... Sophomore Scott Jenks made his first appearance of the season after missing the first 15 games due to injury ... Kostuch leads the Griffs with nine goals and is tied for the team-lead with three power play tallies ... Canisius is now 3-1-1 at home this season.
