Erie, Pa. - Freshman Ben Parker scored seven minutes into the second overtime as Canisius defeated Mercyhurst, 5-4, in the Atlantic Hockey quarterfinals. With the win, Canisius completes the sweep of the Lakers and advances to the Atlantic Hockey semifinals for the first time since 2004.
On the game-winning score, junior Cory Conacher chipped the puck to Parker on the blue line. Two Mercyhurst defenders then hit the ice attempting to block the shot but Parker went high and beat the Laker goalie glove-side for the game-winning score. Junior Vincent Scarsella also registered an assist on the series-clinching goal.
"Cory did a good job of chipping the puck out to me," Parker said. "Two guys went down and I knew I had to go high. I went high and found the corner and the rest is history."
The goal for Parker was his third of the season and his first career game-winning goal. His score ended the longest game in the program's Division I history and lifts the Griffs to their first semifinal appearance in six seasons.
"It's an unreal feeling right now," Parker said. "I'm just in my first year but Canisius has been waiting a long time for this. All the credit goes to the guys in the locker room and it was a great team effort. We worked really hard for this all year and we deserve it."
Sophomore Dave Kostuch led the Griffs with two goals, while senior Dave Cianfrini and freshman Preston Shupe each added a tally.
Sophomore Dan Morrison set the program's Division I postseason record with 44 saves.
Kostuch gave the Griffs the early lead with his 14th goal of the season 13:07 into the contest. Sophomore Scott Moser had his shot from the boards saved but the puck went right to Kostuch on the back door, who scored on the open goal for the 1-0 lead. Senior Josh Heidinger also registered an assist on the game-opening tally.
The two teams combined for 13 penalties, 35 penalty minutes and five power-play goals in the second period. Mercyhurst scored four power-play goals in the first 10 minutes of the frame, including three 5-on-3 power plays. Matt Fennell scored two extra-man goals, while Grant Blakey and Kevin Noble each added a score.
Canisius cut its deficit to two when Cianfrini scored his seventh goal of the season. The senior sent a one-timer in off a pass from Heidinger. Scarsella also added an assist on the 5-on-3 power-play opportunity. During the period, Mercyhurst was 4-for-7 with the extra-man advantage, while Canisius went 1-for-6.
The Griffs then started their late rally with a pair of power-play goals in the final six minutes of regulation. Shupe sparked the rally with his 10th goal of the season. The freshman knocked in a rebound with 5:45 remaining in the third to bring the Griffs within one, 4-3. Scarsella and Heidinger each registered an assist on the score.
Kostuch then knotted the game at four with 3:47 remaining in regulation. Moser sent the puck through the slot to his linemate. Kostuch settled it and beat the Mercyhurst goalie high to send the game into overtime. Cianfrini also posted an assist on Kostuch's 15th goal of the season.
Neither team was able to score in the first overtime despite both having great chances. Seven minutes into the second frame, Canisius completed its comeback and for the first time for any current player, advanced to the semifinals.
"This is awesome for the program," Heidinger said. "This puts us in the right direction for future years and it great for the present."
For the game, Canisius outshot the Lakers, 68-48. The Griffs finished the game 3-for-10 on the power play, while Mercyhurst was 4-for-9 with the extra-man advantage. The Lakers' Ryan Zapolski recorded 63 saves in net in the defeat.
Canisius advances to the semifinals next weekend in Rochester where the Griffs will play top-seeded RIT on Friday.
Game Notes: The game lasted a total of 87 minutes ... The longest game previously in the program's Division I history was 70:31, set against Sacred Heart on March 9, 2002 ... Canisius won for the first time when trailing after three goals in the program's Division I history ... Mercyhurst had eliminated the Griffs three times in Division I postseason meetings before this series ... Canisius has now won four-straight games at Mercyhurst for the first time in the program's history ... Heidinger has recorded 22 points (3g, 19a) in his last 11 games ... Scarsella now has 98 points during his career and is two points shy of becoming the seventh Griff to 100 career points ... Scarsella also raised his season total to 41 points, becoming the third Griff to record 40 points in a single season.
