The Canisius College hockey team opened the 2014-15 season with a victory against NCHC foe Western Michigan, earning a 4-2 win at First Niagara Center on Friday night.

“It was a great win for our program led by our seniors,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “They were very positive throughout the game, played very well and established the level of heart and grit needed to win a game like this.”

Senior Doug Beck led the Griffs to victory, matching a career high with two points on a goal and an assist. Seniors Mitch McCrank and Tyler Wiseman plus rookie Mike Sabatini also scored for Canisius in the winning effort.

Senior Keegan Asmundson recorded 22 saves in net to post the victory.

The Griffs struck first in the contest thanks to a Western Michigan miscue. Skating into his own zone and being pressured by a Canisius forward, a Broncos defender attempted to fire the puck around the boards. However, the puck deflected off the pipe and into the net for the 1-0 Canisius advantage. McCrank was credited with the team's first goal of the season with 2:42 remaining in the first period.

Western Michigan knotted the game 6:11 into the second frame. On the power play, a shot from the point was blocked and Will Kessel knocked the loose puck in for the 1-1 score.

Canisius reclaimed its advantage with 3:26 remaining in the second, scoring a power-play goal of its own. From the boards, Beck made a move to get to goal and found Wiseman open on the crease. The senior then found the back of the net for the 2-1 lead through 40 minutes of action. Senior Stephen Farrell also registered an assist on the extra-man tally.

The Broncos once again answered back with a power-play goal, scoring with 14:14 remaining in the third frame. Kenney Morrison fired a shot in from the blue line to bring the game even at two.

The Griffs, however, wasted no time in answering back when Beck scored his first of the season just 21 seconds later. Off an offensive zone faceoff victory, senior Cody Freeman ripped a shot toward net that deflected off of Beck and into the goal, giving the Griffs the lead for good this time. Senior Doug Jessey added an assist on what proved to be the game-winning goal.

Canisius sealed its first win of the season with 60 seconds remaining when Sabatini scored his first collegiate goal, finishing on an empty net. Junior Chris Rumble and Jessey both registered assists on the game's final tally.

Canisius finished the game with a slight edge in shots, 26-24. The Griffs went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Broncos converted 2-of-4 extra-man chances.

Frank Slubowski stopped 22 shots in net in defeat for Western Michigan.

The schools wrap up the two-game series tomorrow night at First Niagara Center with puck drop set for 7:35 p.m.

Game Notes: The Griffs seniors combined for three goals and five assists on the night (of four Canisius goals and six assists) … Canisius improved to 11-20-4 all-time in season openers, including a 5-10-2 mark at the Division I level … The Griffs ended a three-game losing streak in openers with their last victory also coming against Western Michigan in 2010 … Canisius is now 2-5-0 all-time against the Broncos … The Griffs also improved to 2-2-0 against the second-year NCHC and 3-18-1 all-time against the eight schools currently in the conference … The win was the first for Canisius at First Niagara Center, improving to 1-5-1 all-time in the downtown facility … McCrank was credited with the team's first goal as he was the last Canisius player to touch the puck.