The Canisius College hockey team lost to visiting Air Force on Sunday afternoon at the Buffalo State Sports Arena, 3-0. The loss drops the Griffs to 8-14-3 on the season and 8-8-2 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Falcons improve to 12-7-5 and 10-4-4 against league foes.
"It was a real physical game where needed to find more loose pucks around their net and clear a couple more around our net," said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. "We're in the stretch run toward the playoffs and today's game just puts more emphasis on getting the win tomorrow."
After a scoreless first frame, the Falcons opened up a two-goal lead in the second despite not getting a single even-strength shot during the period, taking advantage of their only two power play chances of the stanza. After a series of quick passes, John Kruse had his shot trickle past the goal line 2:48 into the second. Scott Mathis then extended the Air Force lead with 8:45 remaining in the period, firing a shot that hit the post, went off the Canisius goaltender and into the back of the net.
On the offensive end, the Griffs had a number of near misses to remain scoreless. Freshman Braeden Rigney just missed on a deflected shot and junior Torrey Lindsay then sent the rebound just wide on the open net. Junior Preston Shupe then nearly got the Griffs on the scoreboard with a shot from the slot but the Falcons goaltender got his pad on the puck to send the teams into the second intermission with Air Force leading, 2-0.
The Falcons sealed the victory when Ryan Timar scored with 9:55 remaining in regulation. Timar sent a shot on goal and the rebound went off a skate and into the net for the 3-0 final.
Air Force finished the game with a 27-14 advantage in shots on the afternoon, including a 12-2 edge in the third period. The Falcons converted 2-of-4 power-play opportunities, while the killing both of Canisius' extra-man chances.
Stephen Caple recorded 14 saves to earn the shutout victory for the Falcons, while sophomore Tony Capobianco stopped 24 shots for the Griffs.
The teams wrap up the two-game series tomorrow afternoon with game time slated for 7:05 p.m. at the Buffalo State Sports Arena.
Game Notes: Sunday's game marked only the second time in the past 10 games in the series that the contest was decided by more than one goal (not including empty-net scores) ... Air Force now leads the all-time series, 7-5-5 ... The Griffs were shutout for the fourth time this season, matching the program's record.
