Hockey Falls to Holy Cross

The Canisius College hockey was edged by Holy Cross on Saturday night at the Buffalo State Sports Arena, 3-2. The Griffs fell to 9-16-5 overall and 8-11-4 in Atlantic Hockey play.

“We need to come out with a sense of urgency every night,” said head coach Dave Smith. “The league is too tight. Anybody can win on any given night. It makes it difficult to win if you don't battle for all 60 minutes.”

Senior Kyle Bushee (pictured) led the Griffs with two points on a goal and an assist. Freshman Cory Conacher also scored for Canisius. Senior Bryce Luker recorded 30 saves in net.

The Griffs grabbed the early advantage when Bushee scored 2:47 into the game on a 5-on-3 power play. The senior fired a shot past the Holy Cross goalkeeper for his fourth goal of the season. Freshman Vincent Scarsella and sophomore Josh Heidinger each tallied an assist on the score.

The Crusaders (9-13-7, 8-11-4 Atlantic Hockey) answered back, scoring at the 6:36 mark of the first period. Everett Sheen ripped a shot past Luker for his 14th goal of the season. Holy Cross then seized the lead with a power-play goal with 2:05 remaining in the opening frame. Brodie Sheahan found an opening between the post and Luker and snuck it in for his 11th goal of the season.

Holy Cross stretched its lead to two with another power-play goal 5:18 into the second period. Dale Reinhart scored his seventh goal of the season to give the Crusaders a 3-1 advantage.

Conacher helped the Griffs pull within one, scoring with 2:21 remaining in the second on the power play. Bushee sent a pass toward sophomore Ryan Klusendorf. Klusendorf then redirected the pass toward Conacher, who shot the puck high for his fourth goal of the season.

However, the Griffs were unable to find the equalizer in the third period. Canisius was able to fire 11 shots on the goal in the finale frame, but could not get one past the Holy Cross goalkeeper. Canisius' final attempt failed when Conacher looked to have a shot at the goal but was taken down in the game's final seconds.

Both teams were able to convert two power-play opportunities. The Griffs went 2-for-4 on the extra-man advantage while Holy Cross was 2-for-7.

The two teams wrap up the series at the Buffalo State Sports Arena tomorrow afternoon. Game time is set for 4:05 p.m.

Game Notes: Bushee has posted six points (2g, 4a) in three games against Holy Cross this season ... The Griffs have scored five power-play goals in the last two games, the most in a two-game span since scoring six against Holy Cross on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, 2006 ... The Griffs fell to 7-3-1 at home this season and now own the second-best home record in Atlantic Hockey.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#12 Josh Heidinger: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

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

#33 Bryce Luker: G; 6' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

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

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

#12 Josh Heidinger
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

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

#33 Bryce Luker
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G