The Canisius College hockey team earned its first win at HARBORCENTER on Friday afternoon, posting a 3-1 victory against Air Force in the new rink. The Griffs even their overall record at 5-5-4 and improve to 4-3-3 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Falcons drop to 4-8-2 and 3-3-1 against league foes.

“We had four lines, six defenders and our goalie play very hard and very well together today,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “Now we need to rest and come back motivated for another challenge … two points and a weekend sweep.”

Junior Ralph Cuddemi and sophomore Shane Conacher led the Griffs with two points apiece, each scoring a goal and adding an assist. Senior Mitch McCrank rounded out the scoring with a goal.

Freshman Reilly Turner continued the strong start to his rookie campaign, stopping 29 shots to earn the win between the pipes.

Canisius had some early pressure in the contest but it was an Air Force power play that shifted the momentum to the visitors. A.J. Reid gathered a loose puck in front of the net and slipped it past the goalie for the 1-0 advantage 7:15 into the contest.

The Griffs tied the contest with Cuddemi's team-leading sixth goal of the season right before the intermission. From the boards, freshman Ryan Schmezler found Conacher open in the slot. The sophomore skated to the far side of the crease and fed the puck across to Cuddemi, who finished on the open net for the 1-1 game with eight ticks remaining in the period.

It was then Conacher's turn to light the lamp to give Canisius the lead for good. Cuddemi sent a pass down the ice to his linemate, who got past the Air Force defense. Conacher then slid the puck across the goal crease and finished stick-side for the 2-1 advantage. Freshman David Bennett added an assist on Conacher's fifth goal of the season 4:50 into the second period.

The Griffs added an insurance goal 5:55 into the third frame when McCrank netted his third of the season. From close range, senior Cody Freeman knocked the puck on net with senior Doug Jessey collecting the rebound. From behind the net, Jessey slipped the puck behind the Air Force goalie and McCrank tapped it in on the empty net for the 3-1 lead.

Turner and the Griffs defense took it from there to preserve the team's first win in its new rink. The rookie recorded 10 saves in the final period, which included holding Air Force without a goal for nearly three minutes of action with the goalie pulled.

Air Force finished the game with a 30-26 advantage in shots. The Falcons were 1-for-4 on the power play, while killing the only Canisius extra-man chance.

Chris Truehl stopped 23 shots in defeat for the Falcons.

The schools wrap up the two-game series tomorrow night at HARBORCENTER. The first puck drop is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

Game Notes: Tuner is now 3-0-2 in Atlantic Hockey play with a 1.64 goals against average and .944 save percentage … The Griffs top line, which has included Conacher and Cuddemi in each game this season, has contributed to 21 of the team's 37 goals (56.8 percent) … The assist for Bennett was the first point of his collegiate career … Canisius won for the first time this season when failing to score on the power play.