Conacher Named Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week

Ice Hockey 2/24/2008 12:00:00 AM Canisius College Athletics

Hockey's Rally Falls Short Against Air Force

The Canisius College hockey team could not overcome a three-goal third-period deficit and lost its second-straight game to Air Force, 4-3. With the loss, the Griffs can no longer earn home ice for the Atlantic Hockey Quarterfinals.

“We worked harder but we didn't execute in the first 20 minutes today and it cost us the game,” said senior Kyle Bushee. “If you don't bring your “A” game, any team in this league can put goals in the net.”

Freshman Cory Conacher (pictured) led the Griffs with two goals, while junior Spencer Churchill added a score. Freshman Vincent Scarsella paced the Griffs' attack with two assists.

Sophomore Andrew Loewen recorded 34 saves in goal for the Griffs.

“We came out really flat-footed,” Conacher said. “You can't win a game in just 40 minutes. We needed to play all 60 minutes tonight and that didn't happen.”

Air Force started the game strong, holding a commanding 23-5 advantage in shots as they took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Blake Page scored his third goal of the season 5:30 into the contest. Loewen was able to stop two-consecutive shots but on the second rebound, Page found the back of the net.

Less than a minute later, senior Greg Brown was whistled for a five-minute major for hitting from behind. The Griffs were able to kill more than four minutes off the power play but the Falcons finally capitalized at the 10:31 mark when Jeff Hajner scored his 12th goal of the year.

Conacher pulled the Griffs (10-18-5, 9-13-4 Atlantic Hockey) within one just two minutes later, scoring on the power play. Sophomore Ryan Klusendorf found Conacher to the left of the goal and the rookie then knocked the puck in for his sixth goal of the season. Scarsella also recorded an assist on the goal.

The Falcons (16-11-5, 13-9-4 Atlantic Hockey) would answer shortly later. Frank Schiavone scored his fourth goal of the season with two minutes remaining in the period to give Air Force a two-goal advantage.

After a scoreless second period, Hajner found the back of the net once again for the Falcons. The sophomore tallied his team-leading 13th-goal of the season 6:19 into the third to stretch Air Force's lead to three.

Churchill would bring the Griffs back within two, scoring less than a minute later. The junior found a loose puck in front of the net and shot the puck high for his fourth tally of the season. Sophomore Chris Forsman and freshman Pat Kenney recorded the assists on the goal.

Conacher scored his second goal of the afternoon with eight seconds remaining in the game. The Griffs pulled the goalie and the Falcons were then whistled for a penalty, giving Canisius a two-man advantage. Scarsella then found his classmate for the goal, Conacher's seventh of the season. Senior Kyle Bushee also recorded an assist on the goal.

Air Force called a timeout following the goal and then proceeded to win the face off, thus sealing the victory.

For the game, the Falcons held a 39-13 advantage in shots on goal. Both teams had six chances on the power play, with the Griffs converting twice and the Falcons once.

Canisius returns to the ice on Friday, Feb. 29, hosting the Mercyhurst Lakers on Senior Day. The Griffs will honor its five seniors ? Greg Brown, Kyle Bushee, Scott Follett, David Kasch and Bryce Luker ? beginning at 7:05 p.m.

Game Notes: In 16 games this season, Conacher has posted 16 points (7g, 9a) ... Scarsella leads all Griffs with 15 points on the power play (3g, 12a) ... The Griffs were swept at home for the first time since March 4 and 5, 2005 ... Canisius is now 8-5-1 at home this season ... The Griffs 24 shots in the two-game series are the fewest shots in back-to-back games since moving to Division I ... It was the first time in four all-time series that the two schools did not split the series.

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Players Mentioned

#24 Greg Brown: F; 5' 11"; Senior

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

#10 Spencer Churchill: F; 6' 0"; Junior

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

#8 Scott Follett: D; 6' 0"; Senior

#25 David Kasch: F; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

#14 Pat Kenney: F; 5' 10"; Freshman

#1 Andrew Loewen: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

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

#23 Vincent Scarsella: F; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#24 Greg Brown
: 5' 11"; Senior
: F

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

#10 Spencer Churchill
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

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

#8 Scott Follett
: 6' 0"; Senior
: D

#25 David Kasch
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: F

#14 Pat Kenney
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: F

#1 Andrew Loewen
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

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

#23 Vincent Scarsella
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: F