A sloppy opening 20 minutes of play proved costly on Saturday afternoon as the Canisius College hockey team lost to Holy Cross, 4-1. The loss drops the Griffs to 1-3-0 on the season and 1-1-0 in Atlantic Hockey play, while the Crusaders improve to 1-4-0 and 1-1-0 against Atlantic Hockey foes.
“Every loss is a tough loss,” said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. “We learned a lot of things about our team today – both good and bad. As a group, we will work hard to get our effort and play in sync. We are 1-1-0 in league play and we will get back to work on Monday.”
Freshman Ian Edmondson (Toronto, Ontario) scored for the Griffs in the loss, netting his first collegiate tally.
It was the Crusaders, however, who controlled the opening 20 minutes of play. Michael Laffin slipped a puck past the Griffs netminder 2:29 into the contest and Holy Cross never looked back. T.J. Moore added a power-play tally with 5:43 remaining in the frame before Danny Lopez scored with 68 ticks left in the first for a commanding 3-0 lead through one period of play.
Holy Cross added to its lead in the second period when Ryan Ferrill got a step on the Canisius defense and finished his 1-on-1 opportunity with the goalie for the 4-0 advantage.
Canisius played better hockey in the second half of the game and broke through with Edmondson’s first career goal. As an Edmondson penalty expired, the rookie skated into the Holy Cross zone on a 2-on-1 break with Shane Conacher (Burlington, Ontario). The junior sent the puck through the slot to Edmondson and the freshman finished his chance high and stick side for the score. Freshman Felix Chamberland (Quebec City, Quebec) also registered an assist on Edmondson’s first goal with 8:25 remaining in the second.
The Griffs, however, were unable to pull closer in the final 28-plus minutes, despite a season-high 14 shots in the third period, as Holy Cross held on for the 4-1 victory.
Holy Cross finished the game with a 35-25 advantage in shots on the day. The Crusaders were also 1-for-4 on the power play, while killing the only opportunity for the Griffs.
Sophomore Reilly Tuner (Temiscaming, Quebec) took the loss in net for the Griffs with 10 saves, while freshman Simon Hofley (Ottawa, Ontario) made his collegiate debut and finished with 21 saves (on 22 shots).
Tommy Nixon picked up the win for the Crusaders with 24 saves.
Canisius looks to return to its winning ways next weekend with a two-game series at Sacred Heart. The schools begin the weekend set on Friday at 7:05 p.m.
Game Notes: Conacher has recorded a point in all four games this season and in a career-best five-straight games dating back to last season … The loss ended the Griffs’ five-game winning streak in the series … Canisius has been outshot by at least 10 shots in all four games this season.
