Dean Bogart

Box Score

Canisius CAN 12-20-5, 8-16-4 AHA

Niagara NIA 14-18-5, 11-12-5 AHA

Canisius CAN

12-20-5, 8-16-4 AHA

Final

Mar. 10, 2019

Niagara NIA

14-18-5, 11-12-5 AHA

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	F
Canisius CAN	0	1	0	1
Niagara NIA	0	2	0	2

Game Recap: Ice Hockey | 3/10/2019 8:58:00 PM

Hockey Edged by Niagara in Game Three of First-Round Series

No. 6 seed Niagara used a pair of second-period goals and a 28-save effort from goaltender Brian Wilson to edge No. 11 seed Canisius, 2-1, in the third and decisive game of their Atlantic Hockey Tournament first round series Sunday at Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, N.Y.

Jared Brandt and Ben Sokay found the back of the net less than four minutes apart early in the middle frame to give the Purple Eagles (14-18-5) a two-goal cushion.

Brandt opened the scoring at the 5:53 mark of the second, putting home a rebound from just in front of the Canisius goal after the initial attempt by Alex Truscott was stopped by Griffs goaltender Matt Ladd.

Sokay doubled the Purple Eagles advantage just before the midway point of the contest, finishing off a 3-on-2 break with a shot just over the blocker of Ladd from the middle of the slot.

Sophomore Logan Gestro responded for the Golden Griffins (12-20-5) before the close of the second, finishing off an individual rush with a wrist shot that beat Wilson to the blocker side to trim the Canisius deficit to 2-1.

Canisius pushed for the equalizer in the third and had an opportunity late in regulation when Niagara was called for a minor penalty with less than three minutes to play.

The Griffs pulled Ladd to create a 6-on-4 situation, but were unable to record the game-tying goal, allowing the Purple Eagles to hold on and advance with the one-goal victory.

Wilson stopped the final 13 shots he faced, including all 10 shots he faced in the third, to preserve the Niagara lead. Ladd recorded 20 stops, including a game-best 10-saves in the second, between the pipes for Canisius.

Niagara will face No. 3 seed Air Force in a best-of-three quarterfinal round series March 15-17 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Head Coach Trevor Large's Postgame Comments
"It was a hell of a series. It was two teams that are rivals playing in the playoffs. It was hard hockey. Tonight, was a little more physical and intense than the other games in the series. It was tough sledding for both teams. There wasn't a lot of space.

"I loved our response after going down 2-0 in the second. That was a big goal for us late in the second to make it a one-goal game. We pushed really hard in the third. It felt like we were going to tie it up. We had the power play opportunity late. All those things were there, but we were unable to get it done tonight.

"It's all about the seniors right now. It's a special group for us. We're not talking about the game much. It's more about they've meant to our program. We've been through a lot this year as a program and that class has been unbelievable. There are championships in that group. There's culture in that group. There's such positivity and togetherness in that group that I cannot speak highly enough of them. They've defined what a Griff is and it means a ton for me as a coach."

Game Notes
• Canisius moved to 3-3 in game-three contests in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament with the loss on Sunday. The Griffs, who were playing in a game three for the second straight season, had won three straight game-three contests prior to Sunday's setback.
• Canisius out-shot Niagara by a 29-22 margin for the contest, highlighted by a 10-4 margin in the third.
• Canisius was 0-for-3 on the power play while Niagara was 0-for-1 with the man advantage.
• The Griffs moved to 5-4 this season in one-goal contests with Sunday's setback.
• Canisius also slipped to 8-2-2 in 2018-19 when allowing two goals or fewer in a game.
• Two of Gestro's three goals this season came in road contests against Niagara (Nov. 17).
• Gestro's second-period goal was the first unassisted tally of the season for the Golden Griffins.

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