Five Things to Know: Hockey Heads West to Face Air Force

Games 16-17
Canisius (8-6-1, 5-3-0 AHA) at Air Force (4-9-1, 2-5-1 AHA)
Dates: Friday, Dec. 3 | Saturday, Dec. 4
Times: 9:05 p.m. EST | 7:05 p.m. EST
Location: USAFA, Colo. | Cadet Ice Arena
Live Stats: Friday | Saturday
Stream: Flohockey.tv
Social Media: Twitter | Instagram
Game Notes: Canisius | Air Force

1) Puck Drop
The Canisius hockey team heads out west this weekend to face Atlantic Hockey Association foe Air Force in two-game set. The series at Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo., begins Dec. 3 with a 9 p.m. EST contest before concluding the following day with a 7 p.m. EST matchup.

2) Series Notes
Air Force holds a 25-16-10 edge over Canisius in 51 previous meetings between the two programs, all of which have come since the Falcons joined Atlantic Hockey in 2006-07.
Canisius holds a 9-14-5 record against Air Force at the Cadet Ice Arena. The Griffs were swept in their most recent visit to Colorado last February, with the Falcons taking the opener in overtime, 4-3, before completing the sweep the following evening with a 5-1 triumph.

3) A Change Has Done Them Good
For a handful of Canisius' seven transfers, their arrival on Main Street has already led to career years on the scoresheet.
Graduate defenseman Joey Matthews has matched his career high in points (9) while his seven assists put him one away from matching his previous personal best in that category. He has also scored multiple goals in a season for the first time in his career with two tallies in 13 games.
Graduate forward Jake Witkowski has established career highs in goals (2), assists (3) and points (5) through 12 games. His five points as a Griff has already surpassed his career total during four seasons at Boston University (4).
Graduate forward Alex Ambrosio has already posted career highs in assists (8) and points (9) through 15 games. His nine points this season puts him just three away from matching his career total in 99 games with Lake Superior State (12).
Junior forward Daniel DiGrande has recorded more points (6) in his first 12 games at Canisius than he did during his first two seasons at RPI combined (4). His four goals in 2021-22 are one more than his career total with the Engineers.

4) Kouznetsov, Barczewski recognized by Atlantic Hockey
Canisius had a pair of players recognized by the Atlantic Hockey Association during the past week as sophomore forward Max Kouznetsov was named Player of the Week while junior goaltender Jacob Barczewski was recognized as the circuit's Goaltender of the Month.

Kouznetsov was honored after recording three goals and an assist during Canisius' series against defending league champion AIC last weekend.

Barczewski was honored after starting all eight games between the pipes for the Golden Griffins during the month of November, posting a 5-3-0 record, a 2.70 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

5) Up Next
Canisius closes out the first half of the regular season with a home-and-home series against Battle of the Bridge rival Niagara. The AHA series begins Dec. 9 at LECOM Harborcenter before shifting to Dwyer Arena in Lewiston the following evening for the finale. Start time for both games is slated for 7 p.m.

For complete coverage of the Canisius hockey team, please follow the Griffs on social media at @GriffsHockey on Twitter and Instagram.

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Players Mentioned

#30 Jacob Barczewski: G; 6' 1"; Junior; L

#72 Max Kouznetsov: F; 5' 11"; Sophomore; L

#14 Daniel DiGrande: F; 5' 10"; Junior; R

#15 Joey Matthews: D; 5' 10"; Graduate Student; L

#71 Alex Ambrosio: F; 5' 10"; Graduate Student; L

#12 Jake Witkowski: F; 5' 10"; Graduate Student; R

Players Mentioned

#30 Jacob Barczewski
: 6' 1"; Junior; L
: G

#72 Max Kouznetsov
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; L
: F

#14 Daniel DiGrande
: 5' 10"; Junior; R
: F

#15 Joey Matthews
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student; L
: D

#71 Alex Ambrosio
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student; L
: F

#12 Jake Witkowski
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student; R
: F