Canisius Fall to Alabama-Huntsville on Last Second Goal

Courtesy of Canisius Athletic Communications

Omaha, Neb. - The Canisius College hockey team lost a heat-breaking game in the opening round of the Mutual of Omaha Stampede. The Griffs lost to Alabama-Huntsville, 4-3, after the Chargers scored with 3.5 seconds remaining in the contest.

"Expectations have risen with this program," said head coach Dave Smith. "Execution by certain players needed to be better to win this game."

Freshman Vincent Scarsella (Lackawanna, N.Y.) had an excellent game to the lead the Griffs' offense. Scarsella posted three points on two goals and one assist. Sophomore Carl Hudson (Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario) scored Canisius' other goal and added an assist for two points on the afternoon.

Senior Bryce Luker (Rigaud, Quebec) posted 23 saves in goal for Canisius.

The Chargers struck with two early goals to grab a 2-0 advantage. Josh Murray fired a shot and Luker initially made the save but could not hold on to the puck as it trickled in for the game's first goal at the 5:38 mark. Alabama-Huntsville added another goal less than five minutes later when Tyler Hilbert made a nice move to fake out Luker.

The Griffs (0-2-1) would strike back. Hudson scored at the 12:48 mark, firing a one-timer past the Chargers' goalie for the Griffs' first power-play goal of the season. Scarsella and classmate Derek Danowski (Detroit, Mich.) registered the assists on the goal. It was the first career point for Scarsella.

Canisius would knot the game in the second period, breaking through on the power play once again. Scarsella tallied his first collegiate goal at the 15:04 mark with Hudson and junior Spencer Churchill (Brantford, Ontario) recording the assists.

The game did not remain tied for long as the Chargers scored 1:39 later. Brennan Baker recorded his first goal of the season, firing the shot past Luker to give Alabama-Huntsville a 3-2 lead.

The Griffs fired shot-after-shot in the third period trying to tie the game once again. Canisius finally found the back of the net with 3:03 remaining when Scarsella posted his second goal of the afternoon. Senior Kyle Bushee (Ostego, Mich.) fired a shot toward the goal but the Chargers' goalie recorded the save. Scarsella found the puck in front of the goal to tie the game at three. Sophomore Josh Heidinger (Buffalo, N.Y.) also recorded an assist on the score.

Alabama-Huntsville (1-0-0) pressed in the game's final minute and eventually scored with 3.5 seconds left. Mike Ward found a diving Tom Train on the far side of the net and Train was able to knock the puck in past Luker.

The Griffs converted on two-of-six power play attempts, while killing all three of the Chargers' attempts but it was the unconverted chances in the first and second periods that could point to the loss for the Griffs.

"The opportunity to win the game was in the first and second periods," Smith said. "We need to play more afraid in the beginning of games."

The Griffs continue play at the Mutual of Omaha Stampede tomorrow. Canisius will play the loser of the Nebraska-Omaha and Manitoba contest at 5 p.m. ET.

Game Notes: Hudson registered a multiple-point game for the third time in his career and the first time since November 3, 2006 ... Alabama-Huntsville outshot Canisius, 27-21 ... The Griffs and Chargers have now split four all-time meetings ... Sophomore Peter MacDougall (Lumsden, Saskatchewan) received a game miscounduct penalty in the first period.